SHAKESPEARE AND MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 589, 18 August 1909, Page 6

SHAKESPEARE AND MUSIC.

LECTURE BY -ME. ROBERT PARKER.' A most entertaining and delightful leeturo was that, given by Mr. Robert Parker to the students of the Normal Training Collego last evening... The .lecturer, by apt illustrations from, the works of the great playwright, contended that the music in the plays was'one point of evidence against the Baconian theory as to their authorship. Shakespeare's intimate knowledge of music, and the characteristics of musical instruments, was demonstrated by innumerable passages in his plays. No writer, said Mr. Parker, had so accurately described the various instruments.. In his description of the bassoon, his , phrase, "the loud and deep bassoon" was faithful in expression. Shakespeare's genius in this respect was in striking contrast to ln&ny other, great writers, who were frequently guilty of. the most • absurd solecisims in their. references to music and musicnl instruments. All his songs were expressed tritely, and constructed on the exact rhythm and,,"lilt" appropriate to' the ideas intended to'be conveyed. In'this, Shakespeare excelled. The" lecturer also dealt interestingly with' certain .settings by noted composers of Shakespeare's songs,, and mentioned, that• of modern musicians, - none had so charactoristically interpreted the author as the late Sir Arthur Sulliyan had done. •> -■. . • ;. During the evening, musical items appropriate, to the lecture were contributed by Miss Treadwell, Mesdnmes Cachemaillo, Mr. Ji' F. Carr, and the students. Mr. . Robert Leo, Chairman of the Education Board, presided.