DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 658, 27 November 1874, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

(FROM OCR CORREHTONDEXT.) Dunedin, Nov. 2Jrd. Nothing hut Madame Arabella Goddard is in everybody’s month, in almost every shop window, and on every blank wall, as well as in every newspaper. This queen of music, and her iron grand pianoforte, has fairly taken possession of Dunedin. Not to have heard, or not expressing an intention cf he iring Madame Goddard, is ranked next to savagery. Even those whose sordid souls were never before awakened, or softened by soothing sounds have suddenly seemed to acquire a taste for music—classic music of the highest order. I have met a number of persons, of strictly uncultivated tastes, who profess to have become entranced with the majestic compositions of Beethoven and Thalberg, and for the nonce w ill hear nothing less vulgar. The concert, I need not tell you, was a great success. Every ticket for the stalls was sold within an hour of their being offered ; and even for the second and third concerts they have all been bought up. On Frida • night last the Queen’s Theatre was full to overflowing. The performance of Beethoven’s magnificent compositions, especially bis Sonato in A flat, o.p. 26, was sufficient to attract every lover of music for miles around. A genera! desire to know something of the lyric art has been suddenly awakened, and almost anybody can tell you the relative meaning of a Senate or Fantasia, while as to what consists of an Andante or Allegro movement, Scheizn or Variarioni but few are ignorant. 0. I*., 26 appeared t" be rattier confusing, and a large portion of my time on Friday was expended in explaining to acquaintances the meaning of those mystic words and figures Now, as some of your readers at the Bunstan may nntkn w, I wilt inform them that o.p. means Opera, while Opera signifies a work ; and 20 is the number of the Opera, which every composer affixes to hiscompositions. At eight o’clock precisely, a brilliant audience greeted the opening trio “Sigh no more, Ladies,” by Mrs Smythe, Mr Skinner, and Mr Eainford, which latter gentleman afterwards sang II The Wanderer,” to the music of Fchubert, with grand effect. Mr Harcourt Lee, the conductor now led in the great attraction of the evening, Madame Arabella Goddard, who was greeted with rapturous applause as she became seated at the magnificent iron grand pianoforte. Settling herself down appeared to be no easy matter, and occasioned Madame some trouble. Amidst almost breathless excitement sho swept the keyboard with her fingers, and proceeded with the Andante movement of the Sonato, the lively, gay, grave, and. joyous strains of which, as the theme varied from one to the other, proved the niagu licence of the composition, while the grandeur and solemnity

of the Funeral March, in the minor key—which comprised the third movement- is a

glorious conception unequalled ia music. This is followed by an allegro movement, which continues to the finale, when the audience appeared to ho too much absorbed in wonder and amazement for the moment to applaud. Applause, however, quickly hurst out like a pent-up storm. A shower of bouquets greeted the talented performer, and she retired from the stage gracefully bowing her acknowledgments to her delighted listeners. Madame Goddard next played a grand Fantasia on airs from " Don Giovanni,” requiring great skill in execution, anil extraordinary rapid fingering in several of the passages. An unanimous encore was demanded, which was responded to by one of Chopin’s beautiful valses. Bouquets were showered from all directions, and Madame Goddard retired under a perfeet load of floral trophies. Her third performance was a Scotch Fantasia, introducing ‘‘The Blue Bella of Scotland,” “Kelvin Grove,” and the Jacobite song of “ Wha wad na fecht for Charlie.” by Jules de Sivrai, which fairly took the house by storm, and to an unanimous encore she gave “ Auld Rohm Grey,” and “ Bonny Dundee" with variations. To the lively strains of the latter, a number of persons commenced marking time with their feet, which unseemly performance, upon such an occasion, was promptly hissed down. As a pianoforte player Madame Goddard is at the summit of her art. None like her has ever visited the colonics before, while she had no compeers in England for over a period of twenty years. She possesses a thorough command over her instrument. There ia no jarring of sounds in her playing, or of running one note into the other, each is clear and dis tinguishable. Her majic touch and skill, combined with a judicial use of the pedal; produces the most charming melody and almost innjic sounds. The piano in Madame Goddard’s hands is almost an inspired instrument, obedient at the will of the performer. Herr Doehler, the solo violinist player of the Crystal Palace Concerts, is a musician of no mean order, and a thorough master of his instrument, appeared absolutely lost in earnest contemplation whilst playing. His Fantasia from “ II Lumbar- i" was applauded to “theecho,” and unanimously encored, when he gave some lively variations on “Yankee Doodle,” and was once more uproariously applauded. His next performance was Rhode's “Air Vatic,” or the “ Carnival de Venice "—the first and 'I second parts of which he played—the latter he gave for the encore. To Lear Herr Doehler is a great treat. His performances on the violin arc something extraordinary, which took his audience by surprise, who testified their appieciation of his talent in a most demonstrative manner. Mrß.ainford, the basso, who sang with great power " The Wanderer,” and Henry Russell’s grand song “The Old Sexton,” was encored in both, and enthusiastically applauded. Mrs Smythe, the soprano, is a sweet pretty singer. Her “Come to the Dance," and “ Robin Adair ” were effectively rendered, which established her at once as a favorite, and to whom the compliment of a shower of bouquets was awarded. Of Mr Skinner, thq tenor, I ran say but little- ; ho might with advantage he non eat in the company. Mr llarconrt Lee, the conductor, is a careful pianoforte p’ayer, and skillfully accompanies the vocalists on a second grand piano. 'Flic iron won ’er being sacred to the touch of Madame Arabella Goddard only. On Wednesday last Mr Short, travelling agent of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, gave a lecture on “ Happy Homes, and how to make them such,” at the Temperance Hall. The lecture was a capital one, intended of course to further the interests of Life Assurance. The largo Hall was crowded with attentive listeners.

The other day [ was shown, by Mr Thos. George, artist, Stafford street, and iatc of Clyde, two beautifully illuminated addresses, as testimonials from the inhabitants of the Dunstan in recognition of the services of Mr A. Christophers, late Manager of the Bank of New South Wales, at Clyde One was for that gentleman's exertions on behalf of the Dunstan Hospital while for a number of years ho fulfilled the office of Treasurer. The other address was from the inhabitants of the Dnnstan, appreciating his merits as a citizen, and extolling his worth.

The promised opening of several streams for trout fishing, during the months of December, January, and February next, has made quite a stir amongst the disciples of “Old Isaac Vniton,” who arc longing for their almost forgotten sport. The net and line promises to be brought considerably into use during these three months.

Mr Thomas Logan has collected nearly one hundred pounds for tho Cromwell hospital