THE MELBOURNE GREAT ORGAN.

Evening Star, Issue 2969, 24 August 1872, Page 4

THE MELBOURNE GREAT ORGAN.

The opening of the great organ—an event which had been looked forward to for a long time as an occasion of much satisfaction and enjoyment has taken place under disappointing circumstances. Instead of organising a sort of musical festival, as had been suggested, the Mayor of Melbourne simply engaged Mr David Lee to play on the organ, and a few vocalists to sing solos. A similar entertainment was given on the 10th inst., and with singularly bad taste the nights selected were those on which the leesees of the opera had announced performances for their benefit. Public feeling was altogether on the side of Messrs Lyater and Cagli, the lessees, and the Town Hall concerts were given in only a half-filled building. As far as the organ is concerned, there is no disappointment felt. The instrument itself, built by Hill and Son, London, is of a very noble quality indeed. It is stated that it will cost nearly L 7.000 by the time the decoration of it has been completed. This untoward opposition between the City Corporation and the managers of the opera has turned the tide of popular favor entirely in the direction of the latter, who have announced a grand concert in the Town-hall for Saturday, 17th August, with a chorus of SUO, four different organists! and all the members of the Italian company! The house promises to be densely crowded! as sittings are already bought up with eagerness. The Le to be paid for the use of tie organ for the next two months is to be L 35 per night. Pent of room about L 25 per night. With reference to the future management of the organ, it has been decided by the City Corporation to invite applications for the office of organist, the salary befng fixed at Ll5O per annum. His duties will be the giving of 25 performances yearly, additional performances to be paid for at the rate of L 3 each. The care of the organ is to be entrusted to Mr Mackenzie, who was sent out by Hill and Co, to erect tlie instrument, and who will receive a salary of Ll2O per annum.