THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 226, 24 September 1927, Page 28

THE WORLD OF MUSIC

GOSSIP OF THE PLATFORM.

The Choral Society has engaged Miss Alma McGruer to sing the soprano solo in Weber's "Mass" at their next concert. Madame Alice Cross, a well-known Australian soprano, is at present visiting New Zealand with her husband, Mr. Jas. Bright. Miss Eva Webb-Jones, a young Wanganui singer, has been engaged by the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company to tour Australia and New Zealand. Miss Naomi WhaHey, who sang the soprano eolos for the Auckland Choral Society in the "Creation," has been engaged to sing in "Merrie England" at the Napier musical festival.

Miss Pirie Bush, the New Zealander who was here with the Renee Kelly Company, is supporting the American stars, Margaret. Lawrence and Louis Bennison, in "Our Wife" in Sydney.

Owing to the indisposition of Mr. W. S. Gibson, who was cast to play Peter Doody in the Hawera production of "The Arcadians," Mr. Theo. Tresize, who ie producing the musical comedy, is undertaking the role himself.

The cast for the Royal Wellington Choral Union's performance of "Aida" on November 5, is as follows: Aida, Miss K. Campion; Amneris, Miss M. Caldow; Radames, Mr. Hubert Carter; Amonasro, Mr. Barry Coney; High Priest, Mr. Harison Cook; King of Egypt, Mr. T. Wood. Mr. Harison Cook has been conducting the preliminary rehearsals until Mr. Colin Muston takes over for the final preparation. Mr. Cook has been doing very good work with both chorus and orchestra.

Tlnirza Bogere, who became leading lady at m. week's notice, in the Melbourne production of "Tip Toes," records fitet night impressions. "It waa worse titan I thought. The people at* the theatre were so kind thai they did not tell me the worst. I thought it was only a matter of learning and speaking the Idnea. Now I know that if you play opposite comedians they do something dreadful if you don't speak in euch a way as to let them get two laugie where only one grows in ttie script. To tread on the laugh of a comedian makes Mm howl worse'than if it was Ms corn. I didn't know."

On Thursday, September 29, a concert is being given in the Town Hall Consert Chamber by the city's leading artists, directed by Mr. A. Eady and Mr. Barry Coney, in aid of unemployed. The inmatejj of the Blind Institute had arranged this concert some time ago in order to provide a few luxuries for themselves. Upon being interviewed by one of the trustees, Mr. A. J. Hutchinson, who explained that it was the wrong time on account of the unemployment in Auckland, the blind people, with a very worthy spirit, suggested that the concert should be given and the proceeds given to the Mayor of Auckland's unemployment fund.

The Gilbert and Sullivan opera "Ruddigorp" contains eonie of the most beautiful music of all the G. and S. operas. It is really a burlesque on the gloomy melodrama of the 1880 period, with the story woven round the fortunes and misfortunes of the ancient family of Ruddigore. The inheritor of the title, Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, is bound under penalty of torture and death to commit one crime daily. This he finds very hard to do, and tries to explain things to his ghostly ancestors, but without much success. For instance, he says: "On Tuesday I made a false income tax return." "That's nothing," say the ghosts, "nothing at all. Everybody does that. It is expected of you."

Madame Aida, who is opening her New Zealand tour in Auckland shortly, was born in Christchurch, and has been eighteen years prima donna at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. During that period she created no fewer than nineteen new roles and sang in 43 operas. In 1910 Aida was married to Giullio Gatti-Casazzi, the general manager of the Metropolitan. It is not generally known that Madame was engaged as a singer by the Metropolitan before' her husband was engaged as impresario. The soprano had just created a title role to Charpentier'e "Louise" at La Soala, Milan, and was appearing with Chaliapin in Boito's "Mefistofele" when an agent of the New York Opera House made her an offer, which she immediately accepted. It was nearly a year afterwards that Gatti-Casazzi arrived in New York to take command of the Metropolitan.

Ignaz Friedman, who gives his farewell concert in the Town Hall next Monday evening, is confining his programme entirely to Chopin's works. For this task Friedman is qualified by racial affinity, and by a life's devotion to the art. Very few composers lend themselves to such treatment. Bach and Chopin are perhaps amongst the few. Chopin .is beyond everything the poet of the pianoforte, his compositions are uniquely, pianistic, and his works, however strong the family likeness may be, cover a wide range. Friedman gave his farewell at the Auditorium in Melbourne recently, and had a great reception. As at all previous recitals the artist received a remarkable ovation. Melbourne has parted with Friedman with regret, but richer in treasurable enjoyments for his noble and inspiring devotion to art. The pianist is a passenger by the Niagara on his way to America. He will arrive on Monday and at night give a recital in the Town Hall, which all musicians should attend as this will be the last opportunity of hearing this famous pianist, for some time to come, because he is fully booked for tours for the next three years.

Australia, as a musical centre, ie attracting attention abroad among artists. Joseph Hielop, the British tenor, told an interviewer in Sydney William Backhaus was particularly enthusiastic about audiences here. "Backhaus told me," he added., "that he was looking forward to the time when he would be able to make another trip ito this part of the world." Asked about his programmes for the tour, the tenor replied with enthusiasm that he would sing everything from grand opera to comedy. "Unlike many other famous musicians he is fond of jazz. Good jaus is stimulating, the rhythm and abandon are appealing, but I do not sing jazz. Ordinary singing takes a lifetime of study to perfect and who knows what effect jazz will have on the vocal chords ?"