MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 532, 12 June 1909, Page 9

MUSIC.

(Eγ Treble Clef.l Was It Telepathy? A sensation has been caused by tho publication in Turin of a nnmphlot, entitled "Telepatia Musieale," in which it is pointed out that tlw.ro aro a large number of rytlimical figures, passages of vocal declamation, and even detailed musical directions, common to , Strauss's latest opera, "Eloktra," and an opera callod "Cassandra," composed by Vittorio Gnecchi, and produced at Bologna in 1903. It is almost incredible that Strauss should have deliberately plagiarised from this almost unknown Italian composer, and yet the resemblances seem too close to bo purely fortuitious Tho author of the pamphlet supposes it to bo an instaneo of telepathy; but it is-also possible that Strauss may have hoard the opera, absorbed some of its ideas, and unconsciously reproduced them. It will bo > interesting to have Strauss's explanation of the matter; at present it looks like 'a very good easo for tho Psychical Research Society. ■ '■'.'... What Caruso Earns. , ■ Sensational stories aro current as to the condition of Caruso's voice,.but happily there is every reason to believe that these are of tho "greatly exaggerated" order (remarks a London contemporary). Tho truth seems to bo that ho has merely overstrained his vocal organs, and that a period of rest will eoon put matters right. Otherwise serious loss would certainly ho entailed on tho part of one who is paid at tho rate of £500 a performance. Caruso has a contract, it may bo recalled, at the present time with Conried, under which ho rcccves £40,000 a year. For this sum he engages himself to give eighty representations during; the nine months of the year, the time and place of theso being determined by Conried. Extra performances may also bo called for, the payment for these being at tho rate of £500 apiece. This contract began in October, 1907, and was to run for four years. Presumably in the event of Caruso being unable to sing it would fall to the ground. The famous tenor's interest in getting his voieo in good order again as quickly as possiblo is, therefore, considerable. The Mana'of Crossley. A significant paragraph in the Melbourne papers the other week: "Miss Ada Crossley passed through Melbourne yesterday on her return to Europe, after a very successful tour in Australia under the direction of Mr. J. O. Williamson. She has given 130 concerts since her arrival in Australia, 13 of them being in Sydney." Tho fact that Ada Crossley gave only a few concerts in Melbourne this journey, and "passed through" the city without pausing to .give a second series, or even ono farewell sing, speaks for itself. She is Victorian by birth, and it was in Melbourne that sho got her cash testimonial and send-off concert before leaving for Europe long years ago. Also it was in Melbourne that sho made her first appearance on her first return to Australia, with a diminished volume of voice, but a greatlyimproved art of singing. This timo sho appeared in Sydney befo;-o proceeding to Melbourne, and sho brought a stronger concert company with her, including tenor Harrison, an artist of big repute. Presumably it was tho company, apart from herself, that accounted for Ada Crossley's 13 concerts in Sydney. In Melbourne, she was the allimpoitant itom, and inasmuch as her voico had "gone to pieces" and she couldn't use it as artistically as sho did aforetime, her concerts were a disappointment to tho public. Eulogistic notices did not close people s ears to tho truth as regards her altered rendering of, say, "O That Wo Two Were Mayin«' " and her resorting to organ accompaniment to cover up shortcomings. Public criticism was directed mainly to the Crossley singing, and the public judged it correctly. If it improved during her long tour, Melbourne was not given a chance to note tho fact;'hence tho shrewd suspicion that thcro was no improvement to bo noted.— "Bulletin." . _ , Notes. The following conversation y«s heard outside a church not many miles from V altharastow, where Mr. Edgar Coylo was announced to sing in tbo "Crucifixion" :— First Lady: I hear Conan Doyle is coming hero to sing. Second Lady. You mean D'Oylcy Carte, don't you? The London "Musical News" of April 17 s ,yj : —Jfadame Melba has taken exception to an article in a London magazine concerning artists' f«s. She says that she can command a bigger salary than any other living singer. .That is, we presume, assuming that Mr. Harry Lauder does not consider himself a vocalist.

Mary, aged seven, was found hiding behind tho piiino at t4io hour of her music lesson, from which refuge sho wns dragged forth, an unwilling victim. "Why, Mary, don't you like your music?" asked bcr mother, anxiously. "No," sobbed tliosmall delinquent, "I just'hate those little black tilings sittin' on the fence!" Dr. Joaohim, the lato violinist's oldest son, is about to edit and publish the letters of his distinguished father. ITo appeals for contributions in tho form.'of genuine letters, which should bo sent to him at 1" .Wilhcltn Wobw Sti'asse, Cottingen; Professor Andreas Mosor, 28 Luther's Strasso, Borlin; or Mr. Harold Joachim, 9 Keble Road, Oxford.