Dramatic and Musical

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 233, 17 December 1904, Page 14

Dramatic and Musical

By Footlight.

MY warm fehcitataons to Mr. Robert Paiker and the Wellington Musical UlllOlll.U 1110111. Thcar first four subscription concerts, miust suiely have realised the moot sanguine hopes It was a brilliant idea to keep them ail I for the opening of the Town Hall. 1> sin i oundted 1 that event with due eclat, and the novelty of -ccwi/oertt, in the brand new building helped to fill the seats for the Mu&axjal Union. After four nights of fuJl houses, there must be a very substantial nest-egg laad a,way in the bank. * * * The a,rtistno results aie ju&it as gratifying as the financial Concerts hkr> these are a rare treat in the colony. But with an established musical organisation in our midst, under able du ertuon,, and at last a fitting place foi public performa-noe, there is ©very reason to conclude they shall be 1 are no longer. The community wall benefit in getting into closei touch with lughclass music — not merely that of the old masters, but of the newest talent as well. * * * "The Speotie'is Bride," on Monday night, brought vividly back the ■success which was achieved m Dvorak's weird and highly-wrought cantata some ten years ai°:o. Over 300 /singers and m sfcrumentahsts co-operated, under Mr. Robert Parker's baton, and the general precision of thei great volume of tone bore eloquent testimony to the patient skill with which the performers had been trained for their work. There wei e blemishes here and there, but the complete result was. so fine that they are not worth particularising. On the whole, the attacks were crasp and resolute, and the changing kghts of expression were intelligently treated. The orchestra displayed steadiness, but was fair too loud', thereby baindioapmne the stingers and' blurring the richly picturesque tone-colouring of the Bohemian composer's. great masterpiece. # Among the solon&ts, the leading parl is given to the baritone. In _ stione: and "-raphic ohrases, givem out in 1 apid time and expressive of intense emotion he describes the dramatic incidents of the spectre's flight with his bride through the stormy night the maiden's terror at the graveyard, and the fearsome scene in the charnelhouse. In it Mr Hamilton Hodges was heard at has best. It was a perfect tour de force. His voice rang clear even above the sweep n.nd ruslh of the ihuri-icflina as pourtraved by the orchestra. His aptne<?s of expression was broueht into strong relief in the lines "And all that heard them said in feai , There is a spectre somewhere near " It impressed the audienc© even more powerfully as the linger described the episodes in the charnel-house, beginning, "And at the door there came a knock " Miss Amv Murphy, of Dunedm, sang the soprano music with much sweetness and true expression, but her enunciation was rendered difficult by the weieht of the orchestral accompaniment She was heard to special advantage in the duets with the tenor, and in her invocation to the Virgin. Mr. Frank G-i aham, who took the tenor work, has a well-trained voice, of even quality, whose sweetness is not marred by nasal intonation, while its compass was equal to all requirements. His reading was accurate, and his voice was produced -with ease and smoothness. ♦ * * "Hiawatha " on Monday night, was the triumph of the season. Longfellow's romantic poem has received a lovely and picturesque setting from the brilliant young coloured composer, Coleridge Taylor. It was given in part at the Musical Festival last year, but this is the first time it has been produced in its entirety in Wellington. The performers acquitted themselves admirably, dtoing justice to the work, a/nd reflecting the utmost credit on the painstaking conductor (Mr. Parker) and themselves. So completely did the audience feel the spell of the music tihat not a single movement was made in any part of the vast hall to reach the trams before the last lines had been sung. Greater praise tham that could not be desired) in "Wellington. And, as

the audience diNpeiised, many weie the regrets that the work w ais not to be lepeated. Miss Amy Muiphy, Mr Frank Graham, and Mr. Hamilton Hodges weue again the soloists. The f avow able impression produced on Friday night was confirmed a.nd deepened Miss Murphy's clear and flexible vo'jce was well suited in the soprano solos, to which she. did full justice Her sodas in the second and third parts weie interpreted with great taste Mr. Frank Graham mad© a very decocted "hit" by his highly artistic execution of the lovely tenor solo in the first part, "Onaway, Awake, Beloved," amid, ais his voice pealed out m full stremgth on the hi.gh sustained note with which the number ends, the auidiem.ee burst mto rounds of applause. The simger bowed Ins acknowledgments. Mi . Gi aham's work in tihe third part, a.lternatumg with the chorus' and Inn final recitative maintained the same high level. • * * Mr. Hamilton Hodges, by Ins snnvgcing, gave the role of Hiawatha its full prominence. He thrilled his audience ■with the passionate pleading with which the supplication to "Git-he Manito. the M.ightv" was invested, and the lament over the death of Mmnehaha touched everv heart. The connected with the oomini? of the paWace strangers were rendered' with dignity, an<3 the farewell <s.onisr "I am going, 0 Nokonus On a long and distant journey," was full of sweet and' chastened expression . • * * The chorus acquitted itisedf with signal credit. Excepting once, when a section of the trebles sailed m too sw>n, the lead's were taken up acouratelv and the parts were fairly well balamcied, the tenors being, of course, on the weak side. Theie is a constant play of expression over the 1 fine descriptive music and this was happily treats ed. Gieat praise aW> is due to tlhe orchestra, led by Herr Max Hoppe and reinforced by Herr Blitz (double-bass) It played with restrained strength, and the harmomv between voices and instruments panned in coon pileteai ess of concord. The rich descriptive passages in the part deahnig with Hiawa/tha's weddinq: showed how well the oicheistia was up to its work. ( Continued on page 16. )

The orchestral conceit on Tuesday night again, filled the Town Hall, and gave unmixed satisfaction. A waini meed of piaise is due the oichevtra for the capital manner m which they plajed Beethoven's Symphony (No. 4) in B flat. It was a great improvement upon the final reheat sal. Herr Blitz's double-bass came out into bold relief m the second movement. Mr. Frank Graham completely captivated the audience by his singing of Mattel's song "Bianca." His voice was as clear as a bell, and his phiasing and enunciation were admirable He answered the inevitable encot e with Til Smg Thee Son,gs of Araby " * • * Miss Phoebe Parsons gave a very nice rendering of an operatic ana from "The Sicilian Vespers," and on being recalled, repeated the last stanza. The well-known Largo, from Handel's "Xerxes" (arranged foi strings, haip, and organ) received effective inteirpretation from the orchestra, led by Herr Hoppe, Mrs. Murdoch assisting with the harp, and Mr. F. W. Rowlev at the orean. If anything the organ was a trifle too loud. The piece certainly deserved an encore * * * When Hei r Louis Blitz came on with his double-bass a nicker of smiles passed over the faces of the audien.ee at the idea of such a massive instrument being used for a solo. But their amusement changed to adm> ration when they heard the sonorous cantabile tone of the huge fiddle in the ndagno from Simandi's eoiv certo in D maior They marvelled, at the player's ability to get from it notes as high as from a violin of course, thev were in harmonics. The orchestra, who had moved out in front to hear better, led' off the applause, and Herr Blitz responded! with another selection. Miss Janet Ross plaved brilliantlv her share of Grieg's concerto in A minor, and the orchestra co-operated advantageously. * • * Mr Hamilton Hodges once more gave proof of Ms high artistic taste and versatility. Ho sang Bran's wisrlets, "Hp-itW Bud" and "Ever So Far Awav " with exquisite delicacv, and then let h'mself go with fine resonant effect n, <Mv Sone is of the Sturdy North" CK. German') The usual reoal producer! /> daintv little gem of three verses of three lines each, called "Violets." bv Cornelius. Mr. Hodiereis erave it con nmore. The orchestra closed the conce'-t with Reed's "Suite Venetienne " of whadh two movements had to be omitted, owing to the admission of Romanr encores to the programme. * * * The festival was triumphantly closed 1 on Wednesday evening, with a very fine repeat perfomiance of Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise," by the Musical Union, under Mr Parker. Also, some extras. There weie some rows of chairs here and there empty, but the Town Hall looked comfo'rtably full all the same. From the majestic symphony, right up to the final chorus, the cantata gave very great satisfaction. Miss Phoebe Pan sons was the principal soprano, and, in the lovely duet, "I Waited, for the Lord," was assisted, by Miss Upham, who stepped' down from her place in the soprano ranks to sing m the place of Mrs. Parsons, absent through -indisposition. The duet was sweetlv done. Mr. E. J. Hill had recovered from his hoarseness, and dad ninvself full iustice in the tenor passoees Both orchestra and chorus were nsrht up to their work A very choice miscellaneous part followed. It opened with Gaul's "Silent Land " sung with admirable expression by the choir. Grieg's lovely concerto in A minor — such a stem in the orchestral concert — was repeated by Miss Janet Ross (pianoforte) and orchestra, and produced an ovation. The chorus for male voices, "Thou Camest Here," from Mendelssohn's "CEdlipus," was correctlv executed, and El gar's "Banner of St. George," bv full chorus and orchestra, brought the concert to a stirring close. Miss Amy Murphy and Mr. James Searle were the songsters of the evening. Miss Murphy exhibited the flexibility of her voice in the "Shadow Song" from "Dinorah," a bravura aria much affected by soprano singers, and demanding the finest artistic treatment for its full success In response to the usual encore, Miss Muirphv made a deeper impression upon the audience in Tosti's "Good'-bye," given with sweet expression, and once more she was recalled. Mr. Searle gave with crood effect, but not too clear enunciation, a recitative and air from Barnbv's "Bebekah." Before the chorus and orchestra dispersed thev gave three resounding cheers for their conductor. Mr. Robert Parker, a compliment that he richlv deserves Those cheers are expressive of public opinion * • • There ii 1 * enough sin and sorrow and suffering in the world, leaving "Bairabbas" out of the question Books andi plavs are usualy written and a^ted to instruct, elevate, or amuse. Marie Corelli's "Barabbas" does none of

these tilings, and uo dramatisation or it can possibly elevate, nifetiuct, tn ai nUr^ e anvbody, howo\er okillully done, lhe book is unreal and lachrymose, and it is only the skilful play-wrightmg ot Miss Maud Williamson that makes it toleiable in stage action. The Woods-Wil-hamson Oompa,ny mounted) it well, and gave it adequate inteipietatioin, but it is poor stuff at best, * * * Bai abbas, one of the villains of the New Testament, in the play is a shimmering hero, a wronged man, a noble soul , Judas Is~ oa.not, a deeply-reveient person, on whom sin has. a hard 1 job to rest; Pontius Pilate, a decent sort of ludge, whoMa chaiaetfu cries out for the admiration, that one cannot give him, having pieoonceived notions of his part in tho tragedy of the world Peter a sneaking, canting old humbug, a traitor, and so on In fact, it turns Scripture up-side-dow n There is deep gloom throughout Tho thing is full of honoi, blood eaithquakes, and villainy. From the time Nereuis is stabbed by Barabbas to the final curtain, Scripture turned to melodrama, and sacred history tortured, aie all one gets But, one ; s chief coinceirn here is to tell how the: thing was handled There is no doubt about the skill displayed in "Barabbas " As the "hero," Mr Alfred Woods is virile and heroic. In his occasional fights he gets lather exciting, and when ho kill 0 Nereus he does it nicely. * * * Miss William son (Judith), in her version of the story, makes much of ''and Judas hanged himself." Having been egged on by the villajn of tho piece to sell the Nazaiene, Judith's brother, whom she loves with a passionate intensity, hangs himself, and he supplier the most gruesome item in the whole piece. Imaonne him lying on a, bier dead, with a knotted rope lound his neck, and a bloody mark across it. Imagine the heroine shrieking hysterically for ten minutes, and wonder why I should sav it were better if Mich things were never written. Still, Miss Williamson is strong and intense. She could be equally intense in something that wouldn't harrow an audience for two and a-half hours. Miss Alyce Holrovd gave a dignified portraiture of the part of Claudia. • • ♦ On Wednesday night there was a change of bill when "The Gaiden of Lies" was performed for the first time. It is a clever dramatisation by Miss Maud Williamson of a rather striking novel by J M. Forman The dramatic episode® a.ie happily brought out, but the performance is far too long. Perhaps the entr'actes might be abridged a good deal. * * * There was a large audience to witness the play, and it was received' with much satisfaction. It is well-mounted, and Miss Maud Williamson, as the Princess Eleanor of Novodn/ia (an Amen can heiress, bv the way), and. Mr. Alfred Woods as Denis Mallory, a young Irish art student, give spirited impersonations of their respective pairts. There is a large caist, and the company furnish adequate support to the principals. The season ends this week. • • * Fuller's Vaudeville Company, at His Majesty's Theatre, has an excellent bill just now, and among the excellencies is Messrs. Hart and Brown J s duet, "Excelsior," the blending of the first Harry's tenor voice with the baritone gift of the second Harry being eminently harmonious. Another charming item is the song of Miss Gertrude Fi aser "Bv the Fountain," which is nicely illustrated by lantern slides * • * Messrs. Scott and Wallace, eccentric patterers, George the first m a belltopper, and George the second as the usual knock-about comedian, Sam Wilson, and Florrie Leigh have one of the biggest successes m the bill, which is a sketch, entitled, "The Happy Family," containing a good deal of new natter and inteiestmg antics. Mr. Chas. Moodv. the descriptive vocalist describes "A Woman's Love and "Fairy Tales." » ♦ * By the way Hany Brown sin^s "The Holy City" with feeling, and is encored, and the coon song and dance of the agile Scott and Wa.llace before-memtion-ed ifi an attraction. Miss Birdie Foley and Herman Noela, in "Dinah," get a good hearing, and the comedietta at the finish, "The Coming Man," imparts the last touch of nature that makes the whole world grin. • • • Many of Dix's old favourites have faded from our view, and a number of well-known entertainers have stepped into their vacated shoes. For instance Mr Geo. Warsaw, a capable baritone, who has won many good opinions elsewhere, is lifting up his voice in songs we know and appreciate, and those excellent choir boys are back again with a burst of glees and newitems generally. Not the least charm-

nig pait of their programme is an mipoisjonation of the Gotham Quartette, tlioi->u quaint songsteis who, with alternate bursts of melody and discoid, got so good a lieaimg while heie The boys' youthful voices take one back to the clay when one wore the su/iphce of a chorister, and, heaid the pardon pray and preach." k ♦ * Tlio intiepid Wheelers are again riding all they krnovv for a kitchen table, hitting it with the bike's front wheel, and landing hi oaie piece on the other side, and the triumphant Les Wharton, of ooon celebrity, is singing the songs of the sunny southern slope, with his old vim and animation. Miss Daisy Sylvester, a dainty danseuse, and a chaimmo; little lady all round, is still itl the bill, while Geo Diekie is again with us, mystifying with his many voices and his squad of \\ ooden people * ♦ » At the sixth annual concert of Miss Mueller's, pupils, held m St Mark's schoolroom, oai Wednesday evening la,st, Gaul's new cantata, "The Prince of Peace," was given On thei whole the results wore highly satisfactory, the friends of the singers and the general public being present m gratifying numbers. The chorus work was paiticularIy fine, the gem being the stirring "Thou Art the King of Glory." Much verve and animation! was put into this item by the soprano's, and, although there were obviously too few altos, the wo> k of this section reflected great credit If one might mention a small defect it is in the iust-perceptible loss of time. Manv of the pupils frequently started half-a-beat late. Otherwise, the effect wa« excellent * * * Among the soloists, Mlss Feltham showed the possession of a soprano voice of good range and 1 flexibility. Some added animation in dramatic solo passages would help the charm of a capable voice The contralto. Miss Castle, in the solo, "Jesus sitting by the Sea," showed adenuate appreciation of the fine words, and eood control, although the lack of animation noted! i,n the -soprano was also noticeable here. Of the tenors, Mr Smith sang with confidence. He Ins a telling: voice and a musicianly conception. * * * Mr. Grump, another tenor soloist, with a notable exception, in which he momentarily lost tone, achieved success, but the basses are not eo strong as the cantata demands. Greater care m enunciation would improve' the choruses. Lack of this very necessary quality was noticeable in the chorus, "A certain man had two sons." Still, the pupils of Mrs. Mueller have every reason to be proud of their progress, and Mrs. Mueller to be satisfied with her pupils. She is a painstaking and capable teacher, and the annual concerts given by her pupils reflect the good work she is doing. * • * Given a big hall of perfect acoustic propea ties, seven hund'ied boys and girls bursting with enthusiasm, a competent instructor and' conductor, who feels intensely proud of those children, a huge audience just as enthusiastic as the children, and you cannot help having a successful children's festival. The festival at the new Town Hall, considered merely as a spectacle, was inspiring, but it is safe to say no one quite expected the rich musical treat they really got. Them,, the boy and u.v 1 orchestra was very excellent. * • • Such a notable chorus as 'The British Grenadiers" roused all hearts, and v as sung in perfect time and tune, as were also all the other ten contributions by the large choir. The delight of the audience expressed itself in loud and long applause in repeated encores, and smiling appreciation. With such an expert and enthusiastic conductor as Mr. Parker, and so good an organist as Mr. Rowlev, the performers and the audience were favoured. * • • Of the adult helpers m that fine concert, Miss Pukford's contributions were very fine. The rich contralto voice finds the remotest chair in the Town Hall, the tone is limpidity itself, and not the least of Miss Pulsford's charm lies ui the ease and clearness of her enunciation. Among the items given by Miss Pulsford "Home Love is Where the Heart Is" was entirely charming, sung as it was with quiet but intense expression. "The Lady of th© Lea" will remain a happy memory to all true music lovers Mr. Thos. Pringle infused the necessary vigour into "The Deathless Army," while Mr. Philip Palmer successfully contributed l "A Song of Thanksgiving " * * ♦ Abomah. the Afro- American giantess and songstress is astonishing the natives of the sinowv South bv the length of her. The company with which sbe appears is managed by Mr. J. A. Miller, and represented bv Mr. J. E. Petherick. It includes the clever Kielderson (character impe<rsonator) and Dr. Itowe (the magician).