MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 752, 26 February 1910, Page 9

MUSIC.

■'.■;; i'■' '-.'. .(-By.Treble Clef:),'.'■.,- ;;' Signor Hazon. v, :":';■',.:...', There-'was a.notable gathering .of musi; cinns. and people' prominent in .the. man-, agement of i musical organisations. to welcomo Signor Hazon, back \to-Sydney last week. Signor Hazon 'has .returned to Australia, as conductor' ,'pf: Grand Opera Conjpany, which :.is'.' to: specialise iri. : Puccini's ..-operas*, in, Eng-. lish. Among those who attended were Dr. ■C.: K..-: M'Kellar. (in the', chair), Messrs. J. .o. ■ Williamson, L.'Bethune,"-'J. : liemonc;,H. N.. Southwell; R. Kerr, F. J: Sherwin. P..F. Marish'.'H. .Weir, A. -W. Green, ,T. Gordon, J.fShute,-. J. Mei-rican, G.-Marr Thompson, H. R.Lewis, W;-Allen,'C.W. , Way, W.':'Johnson; ■■Henry",Bracv,--'.Herr' Slappffski, 'and'' Dr. ■■ Todd..-; :The : toasts' brought forward a number' of interesting speeches, • Dr. M'Kellar,. Mr. Bethune, and;.others spoke; of the splendid services tho guest had,rendered-to,music in Sydney, and in.response Signor.Hazon- spoke of i tho pleasure it gave him to Ire'with' old friends once again.. In a.reminiscent mood Mr. ■ Williamson spoke of his 49 ..Tears-as a member of the: theatrical professioii, 35 "of which had.been spent in•Australia. ■"; He-had always'■■'shiven "to ■tlivo'. Australia; the best, apd hoped lie had earned the: honour of that recognition. . Money had not been, everything with-lum m. his ventures, and" some' of tho successes! had been .artistic only.- At the same ■ time-. they 'were a ' source >of great gratification'to'him. '■:■ : ,v

A Lady; Conductor. ;:" ' ■'■.■■' -. : . •'-.■" '_ Woarihg a bhio kim'ono,' Miss Ethel Smyth stepped upon: .tho. platform at Queens Hall, London, on December 8, to conduct, tho orchestral accompaniments to her own songs, "Chrysilla" and "'Ana-' creontio Ode" (No. 31). Miss Smyth holds a foremost place.among tho,small .band of women .composers, whoso work ranks on the highest plane. .Her brilliant 'opera,' ; "Tho Wreckers," .. was heard .at His Majesty's, London, towards the end of 1909,. and this, with. her other composition's,' lias,won for her a lasting reputa-' tion in the world of,music. , ,-

"I .think conducting is quite good fun," Miss'Smyth 1 said: concert. "Qf course, I prefer to -leave niy. works to other' conductors—when I'can get' them; but,- at-the sanio.tiiiie, I find it quito cii;joyable." ~._-;.■■.,.•.■;■■.■.' ;.'.-. >;. . .

■It was in this, spirit of wholo-hcarted enjoyment that. Hie gifted lady played her part at the conductors desk, and the iPhilharmonic audience, rose electrically' in response to the enthusiasm ,of her manner^--inss-iSmyth's opera.has lieen performed,.in ..Germany.'. There the eomwas hailed as-a woman with 'goniue,' : - : . ' -....- : : ..•-' •'■ ' ■ ■ ';•-,.