THE MISSES ALBU.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4463, 6 July 1893, Page 3

THE MISSES ALBU.

Great English Vocalists,

The Misses Albu who appear in Mastorton to-night, accompanied by iheir Secretary Mr M, L, M. Plunkelt arrived in Maaterton on Tuesday evening, A few particulars as to the ladies will prove of interest to pur renders. The Albus, a noble and wealthy Spanish family, driven from the peninsula by the researches of the inquisition, found refuge and fleylura in Germany. Here the Albu family remained until a generation ago. The grandfather of the young ladies now in New Zealand, distinguished lioih for ability and oulture, was a clergyman and a noted devotional and theological writer, His eons speoial taste took the direction of music; he had a fine baritone voice and played well on the violin, The ehildron have inherited more or less of their father's musical ability, Miss Julie Albu was born in Ohelten> ham in 1870, and early evinced great talent and love for music. When the Royal College of Music was opened in May, 1888, under the Presidency of the Prince of Wales, with Sir George Grove as Director, the College authorities offered fifty scholarships to be competed for, and 1645 candidates came forward. Nine of the scholarships were for singing, and the winner of the first was Miss Julie Albu. The staff of tho College comprised Madame Jenny Lind, Madame Arabella Goddard, Sir Julius Benedict, eto. Under teachers like these Miss Julie Albu pursued her studies for three years, the term of her scholarship, and she was Jenny Lind's favourite pupil, After the death of that famous artiste, Miss Albu studied under Sir George Herschell, Miss Eoso Albu commenced hor musical studies under Mr W. H, Wenoh, a fellow-student with Charles Santley, in Italy, and the teachers of two such celebrated singers as Madame Valleria and Miss Anna Williams. Bho took honours at an exhibition at the Guildhall School of Music, under the direction of the late Weist Hill, In 1889 Mr Sims Reeves arranged a series of concerto at the Alexandra Palace, in whioh Mesdames Trebelli, Patey, Sterling, and Davis, Messrs Santley, Haybrick, Barrington, Signor Foley, and others took part. At short notice Miss Julie Albu took the place of Mrs Mary Davis, and sung the " Inflatnmatus" of Rossini's Stabal Mater in a manner that created—according to the London papers-quite a furore. The chorus wbiob should have immediately followed had to be suspouded until Miss Albu satisfied the demands of the audience by singing the solo again.' This resulted in both ladies accenting ' engagements to sing in England, Ireland - and Scotland. In 1800 they toured South Africa, and since have visited the chief cities and towna in the Australian Colonies, aud are now touring New Zealand with great success.' The Misses Albu will shortly leave for Auckland, giving two farewell concerts prior to their departure for America. The charge of admission is a popular one, Seats may be reserved at' Hood and John* Ston'S.: v ' '.' ~: : : /V"''''' ! |