MUSIC & DRAMA

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1919, Page 9

MUSIC & DRAMA

(By Pasticcio). What passion cannot music raise and ' quell? When Jubal struck the corded shell His liat'ning brethren stood around, And, wond'ring, on their faces fell To worship that celestial sound; Less than a god they thought there could not dwell Within the hollow of that shell That spoke so sweetly and so well. What passion cannot music raise and quell '1 —Dryden. *,» » * The visit of Mr. Harry Dearth, English baritone, to New Plymouth, which took place at the end of last week, had been looked forward to with eager anticipation by a large number of people. The two concerts he gave wore thoroughly enjoyed by all Who heard him. The amount of" publicity with which his visit here, as in other places, was heralded by his New Zealand managers created an atmosphere of expectation which, perhaps, in the minds of some, was scarcely fulfilled. Those who went to the concerts in the hope of hearing what m.ight be termed a classical programme, had an entirely wrong conception of Mr. Dearth's work. Mr. Dearth is a popular ballad singer, and he excels most when giving character ballads, descriptive particularly of English country life. He makes rural scenes and rustic characters live fn the presence of his hearers and it was no wonder that many recalls were demanded by audiences which were caught with the bewitching subtlety of this class of song. Mr. Dearth's voice is admirably suited to this kind of work, and his' unusually free-and-easy stage manner, heightens his effectiveness and makes him instantly at home with his audiences. His supporting artists served him well. As an accompaniste Miss Carlien Jurs was most successful, and contributed in a very large manner to the enjoyment of the concerts. * * * '« Further news of the progress of ararrangements in connection with the approaching visit to New Zealand of the New South Wales State Orchestra, under the direction of Herr Verrbruggiien, principal of the State Conservatorium of. Music, goes to show that the project has been enthusiastically taken up in the south. Mr. Gladstone Hill, who is the advance representative of the orchestra, is very gratified at the prospects and has commenced his work in the North Island in high hopes. He stated to a pressman recently that he had received cables and letters from Mr. Verbrugghon, advising that he desired to bring soloists in addition to those originally contemplated, besides an increase in the number of the orchestra to eighty instead of seventy. This would mean additional expense, said Mr. Hill, but would, of course, give New Zealand such a musical treat as it has never before experienced. The soloists were:—Vocal, Madame Goossons-Viceroy; piano, llt'-isrs. Frank Hutchens adn Henry IVnn: violin, Mjss Jenny Cullen and Mr. W. .1. C'oad, These artists have ■ world-wide reputations, besides which Frank Hutchens is a New Zealander, hailing from Hnwera. As an incentive to enthusiasm in the' New Plymouth Citizens' Hand, and also with a Tiew to its general improvement a.id development, Mr. F. W. G. McLeod, ■ the conductor, hns arranged to hold a series of competitions amongst the members of the band at an early date. A draw lias been conducted, and seven quartettes have been arranged, embracing nearly all the members. The idea is that each party shall be trained by one of its members in order to develop the competitive spirit, but, Mr. McLeod has placed his services at the disposal of all the parties for advice and direction. Competitions in solo playing have also been arranged, the music for this class to be own selection. The date at which the contests will take place has not yet been decided, but it is hoped to get an entirely outside man to adjudicate in them. This move should not, only intensify the interest of bandsmen in'their work, but should also result in a growth of public interest in the band, inasmuch as it is a direct attempt to improve the musical status of the band members.

Miss Florence Young will have seen 30 years of theatrical life in November," 11)20. The noted comic opera star commenced her stage career in "Boccaccio," produced in 1800, by the Musgrove-Stew-art Company. Miss Young has been almost 2.1 years with J. C. Williamson, Ltd. In an interview, she stated recently: "With the completion of my 30 years I intend retiring into private life, or if not theft at any rate very shortly afterwards. 1 shall keenly miss all the stage has long meant to mo. But my decision has been well thought out, and it is not at all likely that I shall depart from it." *** j * "Young singers are too keen to sing songs," stated Mr. Harry Denton in a recent interview. "When I commenced my studies under Garcia he would not allow me to sing a song for 12 months. Practice, practice, practice on methods, was his motto. Well, he was right, and I believe most young vocalists realise that there is only this one royal road to success. The trouble is that so many : considerations affect one's course of action. It is, no doubt, hard from day to day to keep to the one true course, but it is a fact that there is only one way. Apart from this, development on other lines, interpretation and so forth, is essential; but there, everyone knows that." Charlie Chaplin, inimitable comedian though he be, is a man of more serious purpose and more idealistic tendencies than most people would suppose. He is a man above the methods of his earlier years in the picture business, and the vulgarities which were often forced upon him by directors or proprietors will have no place in the pictures produced under his own direction. Chaplin will henceforth be his own manager, and will enact and release only the stories that please himself. He works from his own script, and every detail is carried out under his personal supervision. The photo-play of to-day, and particularly the.comic division, is still, to a large extent, fabricated along "catch-penny lines." Plays are produced as fast as possible, regardless of merit. "Will it sell?" ;s thn primary consideration. It ib Chaplin's desire to give the public something different; comedy more subtle and refined, comedy . with a vein of pathos running through it, comedy which is based on a true story and not on the gross crudities of the cheap vaudeville stage.