Dramatic and Musical

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 57, 3 August 1901, Page 18

Dramatic and Musical

By Footlight.

JEAN GERARDY, the young Belgian 'cellist, who was here last week, and gave three concerts in the Opera House, is, perhaps, the greatest perfoiraer on the violoncello who has ever visited Wellington. He came unheralded by the usual flourish of trumpets which prepares us for the advent of good, bad, a-id indifferent, and therefore his first concert was but thinly attended But the public quickly heard of his exceptional talents, and the second and third concerts filled the Opera House. I attended the last one, on Saturday night, and enjoyed a musical treat of rare excellence. The 'cellist made three appearances, ajid was billed for six pieces, in addition to which there were two recals. • * ♦ He lias mastered the* technique of his instrument to perfection, and his performance is a revelation. His tone is exquisitely sw r eet and rich, his expression delightful, and he astonishes you hy the affluence of his musicaJ talent. I was most struck by his performance of f-'on ais' variations on Schubert's "Le Pesir, 1 ' and the berceuse from "Jocelyn," tin opera by a French composer named nn opera bv a Beleian composer named Godard. Most 'cellists are familiar with Servais' variations on the above theme by Schubert. They are very ornate and difficult — it was out of no idle compliment that Servais was called "the King of 'Cellists"— and Mons. Gerardy paved them magnificently. It was, in truth, a brilliant performance. The berceuse was interpreted with the tenderest feeling and held the audience quite enthralled till the last caressing note had died completely away. It was tbo quintessence of all that is dainty, rVlicate, and soft in music. Let it never again be said that Wellington audiences cannot appreciate refined musical talent, or that they are unfit monstratne. Why, they overwhelmed Mons. Gerardy with applause, they instisted on enconng the very last item on the programme, and they wound up the evening by giving him three rousing nlieers. Bra\ o, Wellington. I must also mention, to their credit, that the Wellington Orchestral Society gave their services voluntarily at this last concert. And, bv the way, I was struck by three points in that connection (1) That they lolled up forty strong (2) that their pieces were insufficiently rehearsed; and (°;) rhar somebody must have had an eye lo divai<-hun" in perching the conductor (Mr. Robert Parker) on such an absmd makeshift for a conductor's stand. Mr Parker found it necessary at last to step down from it, and conduct from In*- own unaided altitude. The wonder is he did not o\er-balance himself in stooping from such a height to read the music. • * * But, to return to our muttons. Jean Gerardv looks quite a youth, and, in far-t, resembles our own Alfred Hill when he first got back from Leipsic. He is laller but somewhat similar in physique, and very much like him in colour and length of hair. Jean Gerardy is quite free from mannerisms. His stage manner is quiet, and, until he bows, he perfectly oblivious of his audience. Those who missed his concerts have lost the. chance of hearing a really great virtuoso. • • • The onginal McAdoo Jubilee Singers give their opening entertainment tonight (Saturday). The present company is a splendid combination of trained aihstes. Exceptional success has attended its present extended tour. With attended its finished efforts to please dining its late extended tour. With many old fa\ountes in the ranks, the company has made some additions to itself by the introduction of many charming new vocalists. Music-lovers, who have been charmed with the inreccntly, cannot do better than treat themselves now to the gems of vocal melody the McAdoos are promising. • • • Dixs Gaiety is as gay as ever each night except Sunday, and the last week's assortment of talent seems to have satisfied the public if the crowded houses are any criterion. If you have a< night to spare, Miss Maud Hewson is worth sparing it on. I have heard this voiing contralto in many places, but have never appreciated the beauty of her contralto voice as she used it last Saturday night. Her rendering of the "Star of Bethlehem" is very fine.

From grave to gay, and we have that droll and limber trio, Johnson, Riano, and Bentley, the veritable missing links. Their inimitable act, "The Monkeys and the Farmer," is one of the most, humourous and clever things the Gaiety has ever show n. « • * Mr. Wallace King, with his telling tenor voice, makes sweet music, and returns frequently to the demands of a music-loving audience. Miss Mane Terry, another new-comer, promises something better in future, a slight nervousness at her new surroundings being manifested. • • • Miss Emmie Owen's bright, tuneful voice is heard with good effect in wellselected songs. Pope and Sayles, in their robust absurdities and darkio melodies, fill the house with mirth, and are as popular as ever. ♦ • * Olive Lenton, for her singing of "Only a Penny," is bombarded with bushels of that humble coin. Anyone wishing to study a fine enunciation and correct singing of English should hear Miss Lenton. * ♦ ♦ Good business to packed houses is the order of the night at the Choral Hall. Fuller's Empire Company is responsible for this, and the roof rings with delighted applause from curtain to curtain. Freddy Garnet, the well-remem-bered clown, is at his old tricks again, with many new ones added, and the hypochondriac need not hea,r him if he wishes to retain his character for gloom. # Faust, the wondrous gymnast, and his partner, Walhalla, equally famed, have new tricks to show, and quaint comicalities to exhibit. Miss May Dagmar cures melancholia, and Miss Faning the perennial, pleases as ever. • • * The Musgrove Grand Opera Company, whose success has been so pronounced in Auckland, will commence its season here on Saturday night, August 10th. As showing the enthusiasm of the Auckland people, I am told that before the opening night in that city the whole of the stalls and dress circle seats were booked for six nights in advance. This should serve as a pointer to Wellington opera-goers who wish to secure seats for the coming bhort season of nineteen nights. The company is being piloted by that favourably-known gentleman, Herr Benno Sherek, who, it may be remembered, came to New Zealand previously with Camilla Ursa, the charming violiniste ' The pupils of Miss Beatrice Vartha and Herr Clemens Lermann gave, on Monday evening, July 22nd, in the Sydney -street schoolroom, a most delightful concert to a large and highlyappreciative audience, who testified by frequent applause their satisfaction at the great progress made by the pupils under the very able tuition of these talented pianoforte and violin teachers. The first item of the well-selected programme, "The Blue Bells of Scotland," played on the violin by Miss Winnie Harcourt, was executed with remarkable brillianc- for one so youthful, while the selection from "La Fille dv Regiment," by Miss Anderson, was equally powerful, both .juveniles being loudly encored. * * « Master E. Meek's violin solo, "Alice Where Art Thou," and Mr. A. Warburton's "Ernst's Elegie" did infinite credit to the performers as to the teachers. In the performance of Schubret's sonata in D major (piano and violin), by the Misses F. Whelan and Traversi, another strong evidence of their advance in musical studies was rendered. The hearty applause which greeted Miss E. Meek's Troubadours," was genuine enough. Of course Raff 'a duet (for two pianos), "Tarantelle," by Miss Beatrice Vartha and Miss Ethel Billman, was a delightful performance. Succeeding orchestral effects by the pupils in Suppe's overture, Leichte's "Calvary." Verdi's "II Trovatore," and that beautiful serenade "Rococo," the last being for strings only, was also very nice. A very pleasant evening closed with Madame Mueller singing Tosti's "Spring," and Sydney Hoben's "Aye Maria, with violin obligato by Prof. Lehmann, and a brilliant performance of Beethovens sonata in C minor by Prof. Lehmann and Miss Beatrice Vartha fniano and violin).

The New Zealand Farmers' Dairy Union, Limited, will hold their eighth annual meeting of members at the hall, Fitzherbert-street, Palmerston North, on Tuesday, 13th August. The business is set out bv advertisement in this issue. The football tournament in connection with the First Wellington Battalion of Volunteers is eagerly looked forward to every year. The opening matches this year are to be played on the Athletic Park on Saturday next, full details of which will bo found in our advertising columns.

Br. Elizabeth Platts notifies elsewhere that she has commenced the practice of her profession in Wellington. This lady has had a distinguished University career, and has already won an established reputation as a highly-qualified medical practitioner. She is a daughter of the Rev. F. C. Platts, of Port Chalmers, and took her degrees as Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine in 1900. In her final medical examination she gained first-class honours in medicine, surgery, gyneoologv, medical jurisprudence, and public health. Prior to her recent arrival in this city, Dr. Platts was in constant practice, in conjunction with Dr. W. E. Stevens, of Kurow, Otago. Wellingtonians are not often witheld from making purchasers from public business houses by seeing "full house" written up on the door. This novel sight, however, has been witnessed during the course of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains' great sale. So great is the crowd of ladies attracted by the reductions in prices that at frequent intervals the doors are closed, the public being admitted in sections. As the sale cannot extend beyond the advertised date — August 10th — the remaining portion of Wellington ladies, who have not availed themselves of the occasion, should seize the opportunity that the short time affords.