MUSIC & DRAMA

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1919, Page 11

MUSIC & DRAMA

<By "Pasticcio.") Tea, musicis the Prophet's art: Among itlie gifts thai (>od hath sent One of the most magnificent!

It calmß the agitated heart, Temptations, evil thoughts, and all The passions that disturb the soul, Are quelled by its divine control. —Longfellow. » • « •

Miss Bosina Buckman's interpretation Of Isolde in Sir Thomas P.eccliam's recent revival at Dmry Lane is praised by the Daily Telegraph in the following terms: "Miss Buckman's Isolde remains an achievement upon which any singer would lightly plume herself, and neither in lyrical beauty nor power of dramatic ciprassion did liar performance leave any ground for cavil. There was the (rue ring of passion in her singing," The Daily Mail says that tlie eingern were up to tie festival spirit, sparing themselves nothing. "Miss Bnckman sang the purely soprano parts with a vocal beauty rare indeed." * » » «

Mi«a Ellen 'Terry received a great welcome 'on her reappearance recently on (he London boards as the nurse in "Romeo and Juliet." One critic says: "And Miss •Ellen Terry was the nurse, and what a welcome there was for her! Short *ie the generations of playgoers, but long are their memories, and there was as warm a welcome as when she played Juliet, never mind how many years ago. No need to say that she'was triumphant. Her power of holding your in ma and your eyes she has still. Her sense of the theatre and sense of character are still consummate. She was "all the nurse there is," and all the humours of that roguish old woman she played with a delicious spirit that nobody con-iT resist. If she had at first a pleasant uncertainty what the next word would be, that is exactly like the nurse, and flic never let us lose a -word that she spoke. She knows now that it was delightful to see her again, where she is still queen of hearts, and if remembrance, like parting, is "sweet sorrow,' we add to our memories now another triumph of the old charm."

Wagner's influence on opera ia the subject in an English review. Here is an extract:-—"Wagner was one of the greatest composers .the world has seen, but his influence on opera has been disastrous, Wagnerian opera is melodrama with a subterranean orchestral rumbling that every now and then becomes an eruption; it is like acting a play on the brink of Vesuvius and counting on the effect of tho sulphur to carry you .through—a mixture of two world. How superior is the homogenous form need by Mozart and Rimsky-Ivorsakov! 'Figaro' and 'Le Coq d'Or' are far better models than the King cycle; "Le Coq d'Or' is almost a perfect example of a distinct form that isr neither a play with musical numbers nor a music-drama, but an operaIt "would be impossible to give extracts of Hie Coq d'Or' in a concert hall, but it will not "be many years before 'The Ring of tlie Nibelungs' as an opera or a cycle of operas will be extinct, surviving only in excerpts at orchestral concerts."

» » « . Observant London playgoers are watching with amusement the movements of the demobilised actor. He has, for the moment, lost all grace of pose and ease of movement on the stage. He marches, and he halts. Probably the next Romeo will take six paces to the centre of the stage, click his heels, turn to the right, take six paces fo the balcony, salute, apd stand to attention! » » « •

Miss Nellie Stewart hitß revived a cable telling of her daughter Nancyo's engagement at a Broadway theatre. The young Australienne had only been in America five days when she was signing a contract with a well-known theatrical firm. Miss Nellie Stewart will shortly rejoin her daughter in America. * • » •

A "Glance Back," by Mr. G. R. Sims, in the London Referee: On January 27, 1859, the Pyne and Harrison Company were giving a performance of "Satanella" at Convent Garden. After the first net Mr. Harrison came before the curtain, saying that, n. telegram bad been received from Berlin announcing that the Crown Princess of Prussia, the wife of the Crown Prince Frederick William, had given birth to a son. The curtain rose, and all the company eang the National Anthem. And that is how the birth of William, late of Potsdam and now of Amerongen, was celebrated in London CO years ago. It is significant that Fatan was present on the occasion in the name of the opera, * * • «

Mr. Weedon Grossruitli, whose death was announced during the week, was a versatile artist. He made his first appearance on the stage with Miss Bosina Volkes' Company in "Time Will Teft" at Liverpool, in September, 1885. He subsequently accompanied Miss Volkes to America, playing in New York "a Pantomime Rehearsal," "The Schoolmistress," and "Caste." In 1888 he played with Henrv Irving in "Robert Macaire." Tn IMI ]■.> toured England and Amerijca in "The Nijhi. of tho Party.'' He played the role of .Jimmy in "Baby Mine" at the Criterion in 1911, and also took prominent parts in command performances of "Money," "David Garriok," and "The Amazons." During his oarcev he also appeared in two p'ays, "Billy's Bargain" and "A Commission," written by himself. Mr. Grossmilh was originally an artist, and had exhibited at the Royal Academy, He was a frequent contributor to Punch, for which journal he wrote "The Diary of a Nobody." Tie had also published a biographical work, "i'roin Studio to Stage"

Tim ronton given for the probable return of Lady Wvrdhauvto the stage in London is that lier medical advisers consider that tier health would benefit by the work. Sir Charles Wyndham, who was a leading actor-manager, died recently after a long illness. As Miss Mary Moore, Lady Wyndham was well known ns an accomplished actress. Her first husband was .Tames Allien-, whose plays were once familiar to Australian .theatre-goers. He died in 1359. Mr. Albery was author of "The Two Roses," and adapter from the French of "Pink Dominoes." He was credited with giving "ably-drawn portraits of warmhearted English oiris, not pretending to any sort of perfection, but (.'ermine, mire, and true." and many of his male characters were "consistent studies, admirably worked out." They included O'gbv rirant. in "The- Two Roses" (played in England by Sir Henry Irving, and in Australia by Mr. O. R." Titheradiie), and Paul Giullip, in "Forgiven."

The world's prize in music, the eonduetorship of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, has just been bestowed upon Pierre Montenx. He is a Parisian, who jtook the premier prize as a violinist at .the Paris Conservatoire, became r.olo violinist and chorus master to the Col-

| ogue Orchestra, and ultimately deputy! conductor of the Diaghileff Ballet JBusse,. i lie returned to Paris to found his own symphony orchestra, and established [Sunday symphony programmes for the: I Concerts Monteiu at the Casino de Paris, and occasionally conducted at the Paris Opera. After two years' faithful service as a private in the 35th Territorial Infantry, In-- honourable discharge freed him for a long stay in the United States I where lie Ims been for two seasons French conductor at the Metropolitan! Opei'ii House. ]

The Auckland Male Choir opened its mil-rent season in the Town Hall recently willi a very successful concert. According to an exchange a feature of the coueert was the first performance by the choir of Gounod's Orpheonist Mass in G. In 1852, while in Paris, Gounod became conductor of the Orpheon, a male voice choral society, and for that, institution lie composed two masses, one in C minor and the other in G, of which the latter was the work presented. During the performance of this composition the hearer is always surrounded by an atmosphere of devotion, the music all through flowing with sueli harmony and melody, so characteristic of the gifted French musician. A highly impressive reading was given by the choir of tho choral part. Tho "Kyrie" was rendered expressively by the voices, and the chording, syncopations and accents were nicely observed, A majestic performance was given of the "Gloria," whilst the "Credo," with its varied changes of mood, was devo.tionally rendered. The concerted singing in the "Sanctus" was admirable, being nicely sustained and of a good legato. The choir gave an expressive reading of "0 Salutaris," and sang with tenderness and devotion the "Agnua Dei." It is to be hoped the Society will frequently present works of a similar character, also secular cantatas for men's voices. Miss Mina Olson (Wellington) was tlie vocalist for the occasion.

Concerts of ilie type given at the Grand Opera House on a recent Sunday evening are all too rare in Wellington, says the Dominion. There lias, of late, been evident a tendency to make the Sunday concert programme in no wav dissimilar to those piven ou a week 'night, a trend that should be cheeked. The programDi» submitted ou the particular Sunday referred to was refined and elevating, and its 'performance was satisfying ,to lovers of good music. Haydn Beck is known in Wellington as a violinist of promise. His technical equipment is beyond question, and liis big rich tones fill the whole of the theatre. ITaydn Beck showed his technical resource in Paganini's transcription of Rossini's "Moses Fantasia," which is sot for the G string only, and provides some pretty problems in fingering. The violinist was at his best in Vifiuxteinps' "Tiondino" and the beautiful "Indian Lament" (Dvorak-Kraisler). His -tone was sweet and true, too, in the familiar Mascagni "Intermezzo," delightfully played as a trio. Harold Beck, a brother of the violinist, created an entirely favoraWe impression as a 'cellist. He bows: stylishly, and produces a rich, sonorous tone throughout the instrument. He played Saint Saens' "Le Cygne" attractively, Popper's "Harlequin," and "Variationß Symphonique," of Boellmann, with Mr. Harold Whittle (whose accompaniments were a feature of the concert, the brothers Beck played Brahms "Hungarian , Dance" (in D), "Ariij sl'k Banco'' from Greigfs "Peer Gynt" Suite, "Worum" (Why?) of Schumann, and "Les Bnns Vieirs" (Banes) in one bracket, and the "Intermezzo" and Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in C Sharp Minor" in another. The latter was particularly effective in trio form. Mr. Len Bames, the well-known Ibaritone, assisted at the concert.

A protest against musical selections] from the works of 'Mendelssolm and Han-, del being included in the forthcoming! citizens' peace thanksgiving service wasi made by .the Auckland city organist,, Mr Maughan Bamett, in a letter received at its last meeting of the Peace' Celebrations Committee. It was stated that the Choral Society had decided to render the "Hallelujah Chorus," from the ''Messiah," and "How Lovely we the Messengers," from "St. Paul."' "German music seems so absolutely out i of place in connection with the func- i tiona concerned," wrote Mr Baxnett,, "that I am not prepared to accept any responsibility for the inclusion of these two items." Members of the committee semed somewhat taken by Mr Barnett's objection. Mr C- Hudson, Mayor of Mount Eden, said the "Hallelujah Chorus" had been sung fo> many years on occasions of rejoicing, no matter whether the composer had German blood in him or not. As a matter of fact, Handel was a naturalised Englishman, and his name had been a "household word" in English homes for over forty years. The suggestion that the music of two of the world's greatest composers should thus be barred was most trifling. The committee did not regard the German origin of the composers as a serious matter, and authority was civen for the purchase of the music required for the rendering of the items in question.