MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 821, 21 May 1910, Page 9

MUSIC.

(Bγ Tiieble Clef.) La Bohemo. On Thursday, May 26, Signorina Maria I'ampari will make her first appearance with the J. C. Williamson Grand Opera Company. Siguorina l'ampari will be lirst heard as Mimi, iu Puccini's La Boheme. Those who aro familiar with JUurger's vivid picture of what goes on iu iiohemia, that strange land whoso inhabitants hover between absolute ponury and wasteful profligacy, must bo prepared to find the details of the navel cousidorably departed from in the libretto of Puccini's opera. The authors of tho "book," as designed for musical illustration, have told us, that in place of following tho novel step by step, they have rathor sought to derive inspiration from Murger's preface. Two of the characters—those of Mimi and Franoine—have been compressed .into one—a chango which has boon deftly mado clear. Tho plot of tho opera is by no means abstruse or complicated. Tho four "Bohemians"—• Rudolph (the poet), Marcel (tho artist), Schaunard (tho musician), and Collino (the . philosopher)—keep liouso together; they feast when they have by chance earned a little; when things go badly they starve—but with a good grace. Puudolph and Marcel aro starving in a iireless attic, the snow showing on all tho house-tops around. They have no fuel: happy thought! why not burn Rudolph's great tragedy? Schaunard comes in upon them as they strivo to get warm at this transient blaze. Ho has been lucky; ho brings wood, wine, aud food, and eveu money. Tho quartetto, after attending to the more pressing needs of hunger, resolvo to go forth iu search of amusement. But Rudolph has to finish some writing, and stays behind. Ho is disturbed in his work by Mimi, a poor little work girl who lives in tho house, and who has lost the key of her room. He bids her enter and warm her cold hands, and at length he persuades her to join tho party. So tho girl goes with her four new frionds to a uuighbouring cafe, where they enjoy themselves. There arrives a gay coquette, Musotta, with her elderly beau, Alcindoro, the former an old loto of Marcol's who has little difficulty in persuading her to return to her old allegiance ; and the party, now increased to six, mako off, leaving Alcindoro to pay tho waiter. But Rudolph soon tires of Mimi —she is ailing, he is jealous; while Musotta iu turn grows weary of tho grinding poverty of a life with Marcel—sho n r ho can only be happy when surrounded with luxury— and she takes to flirting with men who aro better off. Matters" aro thus restored to their original condition; till one day Musetta brings Mimi, who is at the point of death, to say farewell to Rudolph and his friends. "Bohemia" chances to be again in bankruptcy, but they all find something that thoy can pawn to provido Mimi with food and medicine. Tho dying girl is left with her lover, and passes away in his arms.

Recrudescence of Eileen Boyd. Miss Eileen Boyd, who, as a child, gained popularity in Australia and Now Zealand on the vaudeville stage, has developed, under Signor Steffam's training, a very fine contralto, full and pure in all its tones, and so extensive in rango as to be practically a mezzosoprano; and recently she delighted a largo audience at the Sydney Town Hall by its charming quality. Indeed, tho new contralto (says the "Telegraph"), so fa.r as voico itself is concerned, scored au immediate- and inevitable- success. It is in dramatic colour and breadth of stylo that much greater development is still necessary. As Miss Boyd is very young, she has plenty of opportunity of cultivating this side of her art. The Gounod air, "There is a Green Hill Far Away"; the sentimental ballad of Madame Chaiuinadc, "Tho Little Silver Ring"; and Hal-ton's dramatic "Enchantress" left something to ho desired in regard to depth of expression and animation, but, nevertheless, tho singer exhibited great promise, and with a voice of such quality, conscientious study should bo amply repaid. So far ns technique is uoiic.CTiicd, Hiss Bnyd's singing was admirable. Her voice was artistically produced, and hor Gtylo easy and iluout.