ROYALTY AND MUSIC.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2346, 23 July 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

ROYALTY AND MUSIC.

The Emperor of Russia is a first-class cornet player. He once accompanied Nilsson iu one of her songs, and not long ago, when siuging before him, she sang the same air much to the gratification of the Emperor. The Queen of Belgium is a devoted musician.

The Emperor of Brazil maintains an Italian opera out of his own purse, and he has one of the most complete operatic companies in the world. The Emperor of Austria also spends over a million of francs a year on the Vienna Opera-house. Rossini used to once compose a trifling melody every year for the King of Portugal. Everybody knows what a passion the late King of Bavaria had for music.

King Oscar of Sweden has a magnifr cent basso voice, and sings like an artist.

Here are one or two interesting facts respecting the taste for music iu the present sovereigns of Europe;— The Emperor of Germany, for instance, adores music, and never misses an opportunity to hear Patti or any other celebrity. He always goes behind the scenes after the performance to thank the artiste.

Her Majesty is also a great amateur of music, and sings very beautifully. She was a pnple of Lablache, and he used to say that if she was not Queen of Great Brittain she might be a queen of song. The late Prince Consort’s passion for music is well known. He made Mendelssohn known iu England and protected him.

The Prince of Wales is also r a good musician, and the Princess of Wales is one of Halle’s best pupils. The Duke of Edinburgh, as we all know, could earn his living with the violin if necessary.