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New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 180, 8 September 1876, Page 12

" Save us from a state concert !" may well be the prayer of professional vocalists in England. Two state concerts are generally given during the season at Buckingham Palace — one by English artists and the other by Italian artists. An artist can hardly refuse to appear before the court when called upon to do so, but privately he or she cannot do so with much of a will. No matter what elevated position they may occupy in the musical world, the royal remuneration for their services on these occasions is 10 guineas. Just imagine persons like Patti and Nilsson being required to accept such a paltry sum as this ! Every time Nilsson appears at Drury Lane she receives 200 guineas, and Patti's nightly receipts are something more. The public evidently attach more value to* music than the managers of the royal household of England. What a contrast to the encouragement given to music by monarchs of old Catholic times! — 'Universe.'