To Save English Music

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 250, 12 January 1928, Page 14

To Save English Music

IMPERIAL OPERA LEAGUE British Artists Will Be Recalled "TULL details of Kir Thomas Beecham’s opera plan have now A been disclosed. An Imperial League of Opera has been formed by Sir Thomas Beecham and others, who want 150,000 music-lovers to send £1 each to cover the first two years’ subscriptions. If they do so by February 1, famous British singers and instrumentalists will be recalled from all over the world to take part in English productions. Lord Islington, a former Governor-General of New Zealand, is associated with the scheme.

“It will be opera by the world’s finest artists, assisted by the world’s finest instrumentalists,’’ said Sir Thomas Beecham, explaining his scheme recently. “Given the money, we shall get them here, and we shall take them round the country. If we do not get two-thirds of the necessary money by February, the entire scheme will be dropped, and every penny sent to us will be returned.’’ Sir Thomas outlined his scheme in this way: A number of opera seasons every year in London, stretching over five or six months. Shorter seasons in the provincial centres —Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. 4 A rebate of 10 per cent, on the price of any subscription ticket to members of the league. First choice of seats and operas to go to members of the league. The same terms will apply to concert season by the special orchestra to be set up. “If the scheme is successfully started, we will think about building a new opera house in London. One is badly needed, yet we cannot get down to practical proposals for a new opera house until the league has run a couple of years. But it is definitely part of our plans. “I promise music-lovers in middleclass London that they will get a good, comfortable seat at the world's finest opera at 5s 9d. “Not only that, but we shall bring to London artists of our own nationality. whom we can scarcely hear at any price, for the simple reason that there is no inducement for them to sing in England at present. Great Names “The artists in mind are people like: Edward Johnstone, who is Edouard Giovanni, the principal tenor of ChiMascagni, composer of “Cavalleria Rusticana,” has written a new Sascist anthem called the “Hymn of Work.’’ Catalani’s “Loreley” was revived by the Chicago Civic Opera Company recently with Claudia Muzio in the title part. m • *. Benno Moiseiwitsch, who is scheduled to visit Australia and New Zealand later in the year, is at present filling engagements in America. He recently appeared as guest artist with the Kan Francisco Symphony Orchestra. • • • “Othello” opened the winter season of Milan’s La Scala last month. Four novelties scheduled for early performance are Pizzetti’s “Fra Gherardo,* 4 Wolf-Ferrari’s “Sly.” Giordano’s “Re.” and Bianchini’s “Thienhoa.” Other works in the repertory besides old familiars will be “Mefistofele,” “La Siberia.” “Fidelia” and “Freischutz.” Moscow is going to hear Roland Hayes, American negro tenor, this winter. Other artists to appear in the same concert course with him will be Wilhelm Backhaus, Jose Iturbi, Joseph Szigeti and Andres de Segovia. Conductors to function this year in Moscow are Bruno Walter. Otto Klemperer. Arthur Honegger, Erne3t Ansermet, Hermann Scherchen and Paul Scheinpflug. • • • At a luncheon given in London recently to mark then initial presentation of the film, “Land of Hope and Glory,” Sir Edward Elgar revealed the fact that his stirring melody, “Land of Hope and Glory.” owed much of its success to King Edward. Sir Edward Elgar further revealed for the first time that there was a suggestion that an ode should be written for King Edward’s Coronation, and that when King Edward was informed that Sir Edward Elgar would be selected as the composer. King Edward expressed his desire that the marching tune should be included in the ode.

Music lovers are indebted to Mr. E. J. Carroll, the well-known theatrical and concert manager for the privilege of hearing some of the world’s greatest artists, including the Sistine Choir, the Don Cossack Choir, Kreisler, Freidman, Stefansson. Edna Thomas, etc., and now this astute and enterprising Australian cables that he has engaged the brilliant Viennese violinist, Miss Erica Morini. to give a brief number of recitals in the capital cities of Australia and New Zealand. Miss Morini’s rise to fame has been meteoric, her genius was recognised in the art centres of Europe before she was out of her teens, and now she has established a reputation beside that of Kreisler and Heifetz. Mr. Carroll is confident that she will justify that reputation and his judgment in Australia and New Zealand.

cago Opera House and the Scala, Milan. Alfred Piccaver, the finest tenor of Vienna Opera House. Joseph Hislop, who has been heard in opersi in London once in two years. Tom Burke, who has not been heard in opera in London for six years. John McCormack, who has to sing in concert here because there is no opera for him. Florence Austral, the greatest dramatic soprano in the world; and Eva Turner, who has been an amazing success in Italy and South America. “There are many more whom the British public have never yet heard of. Nothing short of five years will do for carrying the scheme through,” concluded Sir Thomas. “It is impossible to create the organisation needed for a lesser period.” Below is a list of the personnel of the Imperial Opera League: Founder: Sir Thomas Beecham; has produced over 100 operas in Englarid, including between 60 and 70 new ones; has conducted all over the world. Trustees: Lord Islirgton; has been Under-Secretary of State for India, and Governor-General of New Zea.land; organiser of the “National Savings” movement. Sir Vincent Caillard, for 20 years an active director of Vickers, Ltd. Sir Eric Hambro, banker. Business Committee: Mr. Henry Beecham. for eight years co-managing director of Beecham's, St. Helens; Mr. Paget Bowman, advisory director and legal adviser of the British National Opera Company, which will co-operate with the new league; Mr. Lionel Powell, impresario, with connections all over the world. Sir Thomas Beecham wjll be responsible for the selection of productions and artists. He will be assisted by an advisory board of experts, who will include Sir Landon Ronald and Mr. Frederick Austin, artistic director of the British .National Opera Company. One of the most interesting events of the musical season, states an American journal, is the imminent arrival in America of Maurice Ravel, the great French composer who will present his compositions in recitals throughout the country.

Performances will be given at the Paris Opera by the Vienna Staatsoper Company from May 15 to May 31 this year. The repertory will include the Mozart operas and Beethoven’s “Fidelio,” with such artists as Maria Jer-

itza, Lotte Lehmann and Elizabeth Schumann. The chorus, settings and orchestra of Vienna will be taken to Paris under the direction of Franz Schalk.

Miss Ethel Osborne has completed a second tour, with Dame Clara Butt, of the British Isles, and has met with great success. Miss Osborne states that she has had a number of engagements offered her for the coming year. The Sydney soprano declined an invitation of Dame Clara Butt to visit India, as she desired to remain in England to carry on her work there. ♦ * • Geraldine Farrar, famous opera soprano, gave her first recital in several years at Carnegie Hall, New York, recently. She was acclaimed by a capacity audience. Critics declare her art and personality are as keen as ever, although her voice is not as youthfully fresh as in past years. Her hair, some of the perpetual “Flappers” were surprised to discover, is now quite white. She is 45 years old.