SINGERS AND PLAYERS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 183, 1 August 1908, Page 12

SINGERS AND PLAYERS

Miss Irene Ainsley will arrive in Auckland on August 17 from Sydney, and will give her first concert here on the 22nd. It is very evident from the Australian papers, that her splendid voice and dramatic style impressed thoee who heard her at a private recital in Paling's concert hall. " The Daily Telegraph" gives the following brief outline of the young singer's career since she left Auckland: In London she first studied under Mme. Minna Fiseher, and she then entered the Marchesi School for 18 months in Paris, and during that time had many lessons from Mme. Melba herself. Two years ago Madame Melba organised a very elaborate debut for the young singer at the Beehstein Hall, London, in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and three days later she sang ai Marlborough House, when the Princess presented! her with a beautiful souvenir brooch, which she still wears. In England Miss Ainsley has supported on separate tours Herr Wilhehn Badchaus (pianist), Signor Busoni (pianist), Mme. Ella Russell (soprano), Mile. Donalda (soprano), and other famous artists, and has been soioisc with the London Symphony Orchestra under Mr. Landon Ronald' 3 baton. This year, before leaving for Australia, Miss Ainsley closed her list of engagements with an important appearance with the Liverpool Philharmonic Sociesty, so that at the termination of her antipodean torn , she will return to an assured career in the old country.

22nd. It is very evident from the Australian papers, that her splendid voice and dramatic style impressed thoee who ■ heard her at a private recital in Paling's concert hall. " The Daily Telegraph" gives the following brief outline of the young singer's career since she left Auckland: In London she first studied under Mme. Minna Fiseher, and she then entered the Marchesi School for 18 months in Paris, and during that time had many lessons from Mme. Melba her- '. self. Two years ago Madame Melba, organised a very elaborate debut for the young singer at the Beehstein Hall, London, in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and three days later she sang ai Marlborough House, . when the Princess presented! her with a beautiful souvenir brooch, which she still wears. In England Miss Ainsley has supported on separate tours Herr Wilhehn : Baekhaus (pianist), Signor Busoni (pianist), Mme. Ella Russell (soprano), Mile. Donalda (soprano), and other famous artists, and has been soioisc with the London Symphony Orchestra under Mr. Landon Ronald' 3 baton. This year, before leaving for ' Australia, Miss Ainsley closed her list of engagements with an important appearance with the Liverpool Philharmonic Society, so that at the termination of her antipodean torn , she will return to an assured career in the old country. Mr. George Snazelle, according to London advices, was to be tendered a complimentary farewell concert before his departure for Australia, to take up his place with the National Opera Company. A long list of prominent musicians amd actors who were to assist in- : eluded the name of Miss Nellie Stewart. Mdme. Tetrazzini, the great songstress, gives the following hints to girls who want to become professional singers:— "There are three requisites to success. First, they must have good voices, and the voice must be absolutely natural. Next, they must have great aptitude for work, and be enthusiasts about singing for its own sake. Third, they must have a genuine love for the stage. The work is not so easy as it looks, and the artist must make up her mind to sacrifice herself for her art. As to the best country to study in—study in every country." In a small corartry town in the Midlands an address was recently to be given on Brahms. Introducing the lecturer, the chairman said: '"Mr. has been so kind as to oome here this evening to lecture to us on Brahms. I do not myself know wliai Brahms are, but I am sure that Mr. will have much interesting information to impart to us on the subject, and I need hardly ask you to give him your best attention." By now there can be little doubt that everyone prceent at that lecture knows what Brahms were:. Mr John Wren, in the course of an interview, , states that he is solely responsible for the introduction of the National Opera Company, seven principals for which Mr Goo. Musgrove recently selected on London. The company will produce such old-time favourites as "IjC-s Cloches de Corneville," "Maritana, ,- "La Fillc dv Madame Angot,"' "Lily of Killaraoy." "The Bohemian Girl," and others. "I conceived the idea of reviving these old-time English operas as a consequence of a conversation I had with Madame Blanche Arral some time ago, while that lady was singing at concerts under my management," Mr. Wren tells the Pressman. "I had previously been struck with the fact that when she was singing light opera gems they seemed to make a more direct appeal to the audiences than any other class of music. The artiste told 'mc that the various gems referred to had been culled from operas that were still popular on the Continent, and she expressed herself as satisfied that if these operas were revived at the present day with capable artists they would ccrtsrinly meet with approval. The support is to be Australian, and to encourage local talent is one of the ostensible objects of the promoter." Mr. Geo. Dean, who was reeantly over here with Rickards, has received an ofifer to join the company. Herr Slapoffcki, who has been "for msnry weeks in Melbourne as conductor of the opera "The Merry Widow," has returned to Sydney, to resume Jiis place as conductor of the Sydney Amateur Orchestral Society. Mr Howard Cavrr has again taken over the baton with- the Royal Comic Opera Company. The coming visit of the American fleet is responsible for a new crop of patriotic navy sc'Ugs. Two very good compositions arrived by this week's mail from Messrs. W. e r . Dean and Co., of Sydney, one entitled "The Sons of Uncle Sam." by L. L. Howard, and the other. "Australia's Bonny Boy.s in Navy Blue," by Ben. Fuller. Both are written in march time, and are dec\"dedly martial in spirit. They are in compass of ' baritone and bass voices, an. d will pro- | bably have a good sale amrnig singers who have caught the "fleet fever." Mr Charles Saunders, the English tenor, and his wife, Miss Clara K'obson. contralto, opened their New Zealand tour at ChristchuTch last Tuesday, appearing with the Musical Union in "l.'ie Messiah." The occasion was the open-" ing of the city organ, presented to the ; cathedral by the Government. Miss Mary Cooper, of Auckland, who has taken the name of O'Connor for concert purposes, made her London debut as a vocalist one evening this week, writes my London correspondent in June, I at Beehstein Hall, assisted by Mr. Darbi- ! shire Jones, 'cellist, and Mr". Cyril Tow- ' sey, of Wellington, as accompanist. Concerning her performance, the "Standard" of June 17 comments as follows: "One of the features of the present season ' has been the number of gifted young artists our colonies have sent us. "it is .a pleasure to record the success of another. Miss Mary O'Connor, who comes from New Zealand, and made her first appearance last night. Many prominent colonials gave, their patronage, most of them being distinguished members of the Victoria League. Miss O'Connor, who | has studied with Mile. Tremelli and Mr. Gregory Hast, possesses a mezzo-soprano voice of no very great strength or range, but of pleasing quality. At first, owing to nervousness, the tone was a little unsteady, but later, when she had gained more confidence, her singing of an aria I from 'Faust, , and 11. Romberg's 'Chant I Ilindou,' was attractive both in the j quality of the tone and the clearness j of the expression. An aria from Vac- ' caji's 'Giulictta c Romeo' would have ' improved hy more animation, but wna r otherwise tastefully rendered. Her best ' efforts -mere in Brahms 'Sapphische Ode' and Schumann's 'Eer, der Herrlichste yon Allen,' as her singing of both was marked by intelligence'and taste."