GRAND OPERA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1938, Page 7

GRAND OPERA

BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY. ENJOYABLE GROUP EVENING. A group evening arranged by the British Music Society was held last night at the residence of Mrs A. H. Daniell, Albert Street. Mrs J. Hessey spoke on music from grand opera and its origin, from early in the 16th century to the present day. Anecdotes on the lives of the great composers of France, German and Italy were related in a clevei’ and humorous manner. Munich, explained the speaker, staged many spectacular performances in the 90’s, and the lavish expenditure of these opulent theatres left nothing to be desired. Many of the more modern musicians and composers were personally known to Mrs Hessey during her student days at the Munich Conservatoire, amongst whom were Strauss, Pachmann, De Reski and Rhlinherger, a German mass composer. The narrative was beautifully illustrated with songs and music from the various operas, under the leadership of Mrs Miller Hope. The programme was as follows: — Bridal chorus, “Lohengrin,” Singing Circle; intermezzo from “Cavalliera Rusticana,” Mr A. M. Hope; Jewel Song from “Faust,” Miss Gaudin, L.R.S.M.; Pilgrim’s Song, “Tannhauser,” Singing Circle; “One Fine Day” from “Madame Butterfly,” Mrs T. Moss; paraphrase from “Rigoletto,” Miss McLaren; “Now the Days of Philandering Are Over” (Mozart), Mr R. Gilbert; Soldiers’ Chorus from “Faust,” Singing Circle. During the supper interlude Mrs T. Jordan (president) thanked Mrs Hessey for her interesting address and Mrs Miller Hope for the work she had done for the choir. Opportunity was taken to congratulate Miss Enid Stubbings on obtaining the L.R.S.M.; Miss Gwen Greig, who was most successful at the Competitions, and Misses Yolande Ruby and Bebe Francis on their excellent performance at recent amateur theatricals. Mr Gilbert moved a vote of thanks to Mrs A. Daniell for the use of her home. The motion was carried by acclamation.