Musical.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 7, 13 May 1893, Page 7

Musical.

(By C'obnkt.) It is to be regretted tbat the Misses Albu and their company were not more liberally patronised during their recent short season in Invercargill. There is no doubt that the ladies were among the finest exponents of the vocal art we have had here. The numerous professional companies who preceded our musical visitors had evidently taken all the spare cash. The last hat worn by Richard Wagner is being offered for sale in Vienna for £2O. Verdi’s new' opera “Falstafß,” based upon “ The Merry Wives of Windsor,” is described by Dr Villier Stanford as “ a masterpiece of diction as well as music—a child of "which both the parents may be proud.” The libretto is by Signor Boito, and is full of humour. The music is taking and very bright. The slide trombone was brought prominently before the English musical public by Dr Bridge in a recent lecture. There is no question that the slide is infinitely superior to the valve, and it is noted that the principal bands in New Zealand have entirely discarded the valve model, while in Australia very few bands use the slide. Hothing- gives greater body or binds a band together better than the three trombones. The Weekly Press and Referee has decided to add a column entirely devoted to band notes. This will be a boon to the New Zealand bands. The local Amateur Operatic Society give three representations of Gilbert and Sullivan’s delightful opera “ Pinafore,” next "week, beginning on Tuesday night. With Mr W. V. Siddall as conductor and Mr F. Woodward as stage manager, the members have been busily engaged in rehearsals for some time, and it is evident that they mean to add to the successes formerly achieved. The object of the entertainments is to assist the instrument fund of the Garrison Band, and with such a purpose, and such a bill of fare the Amateurs can safely reckon on a successful season. Miss Geddes will be the Josephine, Miss Little the Buttercup, and Miss Lithgow the Hebe of the occasion. The First Lord of the Admiralty will be represented by Mr Woodward, who has previously scored well in some of Gilbert and Sullivan’s works ; Dick Deadeye will be essayed by Mr Grenfell, who is shaping- very well; the boatswain by Mr Kiernan, who is always welcome ; Capt. Corcoran by Mr F. J, McDonald, who is also favourably known to the public by his stage appearances ; and Ralph Rackstraw by Mr E. McKay, who can be relied upon for good work. The orchestra and chorus will be strong and efficient, and new scenery and costumes have been obtained for the representations.