Harmony

NZ Truth, Issue 1149, 8 December 1927, Page 8

Harmony

A HUSH falls on the large audience m the Empire Theatre, Dunedin — lights click off — a man, silhouetted against the dim lights of the orchestra pit, lifts his hand — and an orchestra, with the precision of a well-oiled piece of machinery, starts playing. Music has a wonderful hold on the southern centre, - and even the most disinterested person will take pains to tell you that Charles Pariiell is a topnotch conductor; and that, as musical director of the Empire Theatre, he is obviously the right man m the right place. When not engaged m keeping his beloved orchestra up to its usual pitch of efficiency, Parnell shows the youth of. the village just_ how much music may be extracted 'from a piano. He has a reputation of being a wonderfully patient and painstaking teacher. He finds undiluted pleasure in 'his motor-car. This unfortunate vehicle is, on an average, overhauled thrice weekly.