MUSIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 612, 14 March 1929, Page 14

MUSIC

(By

F.1.R.)

Madame Irene Ainsley. who recently returned from Australia by the Marama, grave a private recital at the Hotel Australia when she was in Sydney. Madame Ainsley sang: the following programme:—"Nobil Signor,” from “The Huguenots.’* by Meyer-Beer; “Habanera.” from “Carmen," by Bizet: “Che Faro,” from “Orpheus,” by Gluck; “O Thou That Tellest,” from the “Messiah,” by Handel; “Fac ut Portem,” from “Stabat Mater,” by Rossini: “Ombra mai fu,” by Handel; Der tod und das Madchen,” by Schubert. “Si rrms vers avaient des ailes,” by Hahn; at the piano was Mr. Frank Hutchins. Famous Singer Miss Evelyn Scotney, the noted Australian soprano, who has been engaged for a concert tour under the management of J. and N. Tait, is well-known in New Zealand and it is to be hoped that her coming tour will include the Dominion. Miss Scotney has certainly well upheld the credit of the oversea Dominions in the Motherland. She has appeared with undoubted success on the concert platform and her appearances in opera have also been ecpially successful. She has essayed heavy roles in some of the greatest operatic productions in England, and the highest praise has been awarded her by the musical critics. So far the details of the tour have not been received in New Zealand, but it is the sincere wish, of the music-loving public that this now great singer will visit these shores.

A great dinner was held in New York not long ago in honour of the Flonzaley Quartet, which after the current season, it 25th before the public, will disband. This is perhaps the world’s most eminent quartet. It was founded by Edward de Coppet, a Swiss patron of music. In its first concert the American Symphonic Ensemble, New York’s new conductorless orchestra, made a good impression, though not one startlingly favourable. The programme included Beethoven's “Kroica” symphony, “Egmont” overture, and violin concerto, with Max Rosen as soloist. . c . Casting an appraising eye at a metal relief of Richard Wagner, priced by connoisseurs at £I,OOO, and gifted with medals by King Ludwig, United States customs officials put it under the heading of “old iron” when it was imported from recently, according to the New York “Herald-Tribune.” Mussolini Again Mussolini, being an autocrat and a fiddler, was bound sooner or later to fiddle with musical regulations for Italian performances! It was rumoured in Middle Europe that the Ministry of Public Instruction and Fine Arts had issued a decree that all concerts must consist of at least 50 per cent, of Italian music. The rumour had developed such strength that, finally the Italian authorities bad to clarify the situation by an official statement, which is to the effect that lyric theatres, symphony and chamber music societies are exempted from the regulation, which is aimed at cinemas, cafes, variety theatres and music halls.

Teachers’ Conference ft is understood that the conference of the New Zealand Society of Professional Teachers of Music has been postponed until May next. The Registration Board set up by the Act of last session will then be functioning, and it is considered that the postponement of the conference will enable members to discuss the hoard’s

policy, and give a lead in various directions.

New Conductor The Christchurch Orchestral Society, which recently lost its esteemed conductor, Mr. Angus Gunter, may possibly secure the services of Odonne Savini, an Italian musician, who has recently come to the Dominion for health reasons, from Bombay, where he had established a splendid musical connection. Mr. Savini, who is both violinist and pianist, and teaches both instruments, is a composer of repute, one of his three-act operas gaining a grand prize at Milan, where it was performed while the composer was in Bombay. Christchurch should do well with such an experienced conductor.