MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 858, 2 July 1910, Page 9

MUSIC.

.05? Treble Cle?.) Miss Nora D'Argel. bf the.young New Zcalander, Miss Nora d'Argel, who has since been engaged for the Beecliani opera season, a Nice paper says: "The directors (of the Nice Opera) at last decided to give a place in "Rigolctto" to one of the best of their company, not to say the best; I allude to Mile. Nora d'Argel, whom a sort of ostracism on .the.part of tlio directorate has hitherto kept from the stage, . As I had expected, .she had a complete success, and throughout the performance tlio public' showed its satisfaction by applause and the warmest of ovations. • This charming artist, a consummate musician, as distinguished as she is talented, possesses a delightful organ of unusual volume; her notes are _ pure and very even; ill a word, she is endowed with a vocal instrument which is incomparable, and which destines her for a brilliant future. I might add that my chief colleagues have anticipated mo in the eulogies which to-day are unanimous."

M. Jean Gerardy In London. M. Jean Gerardy, the famous 'cellist," made a welcome reappearance in London on, the afternoon of May 7, when he gave his only recital 1 this season at the Bechstein Hall. Archangelo Oorelli's Sonata for violoncello in D minor is a composition well calculated to put the^ performer to a severe test; .uot that its technical difficulties are surprising, but' because its four movements are distinctive mood pictures, requiring special treatment to bring out their characteristics. M. Gerardy is described as having played with rare eloquence and with a beauty of tono and phrasing that only a real artist is capable of exhibiting. A first performance was. given of an arrangement for violoncello, with organ part adapted, of Bach's Concerto, by M. Gerardy. This work was originally composed for clavecin in D, and arranged later for violin in E. Tho string accompaniment was played by members. of. the Queen's Hall Orchestra, conducted by Mr. Hamilton Harty. According to the "Standard," M., Gerardy has' not been quite successful ill his arrangement. The accompaniment, with the exception of the slow movement, is too ponderous and aggtessive. In Boccherini's Sonata for violoncello, No. 6, M. Gerardy's playing was irreproachable, both as regards the clean technique and the .sympathy with which tho 'music was interpreted.

Calve's Tour. .Engagements in Australia, will prevent Madame Calve visiting New Zealand until early next month. She is to s-ing in Brisbane, next week, and after a trip to the north will revisit Melbourne, and then Adelaide, -with New Zealand to follow. Owing, however, to approaching .engagements in tho East and Europe, it is not likely, that Madame Calve will mako a long stay ill the. Dominion. Under present arrangements, her tour will be limited to ten or a.' dozen appearances allotted between the cities of .Auckland, Wangauui, Napier, AVellington, Cliristchurch, and Dunedin.

Mdlle. Antonia Dolores. The return hero of Mdlle. Antonia Dolores will (says the Sydney " Daily Telegraph") add 0110 more link to the goldon chain of this year's musical events, and will at the same time bring before the public an artist who "probably has more personal friends in Australasia than any other singor who has over visited the Antipodes. Since lier first appearenco here as Antoinette Trobelli in 1895, the star soprano has toured the Commomvealtli and New Zealand five times, on 0110 occasion remaining in tliis part of the world for nearly two years. Few people now remember that the youthful Trebelli—daughter of the great operatic contralto lime. Tro-lielli-Bettini, and of Signor Bettini, a Roman tenor, who sang frequently at Covent Garden —began her career as a juvenile pianist. She was very highly thought of in that capacity, and used to play a great deal to the late Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace, and was rewarded by that august patron with a splendid jewelled cross, which she still possesses. Like Mine. C'arreno, the girl-pianist suddenly "dis-covered-a voice," and, unlike that other brilliant artist, never returned to her first love. Two years after her debut the soprano was commanded to sing before Queen Victoria at Buckingham I'alaco, and since that day she has appeared on important occasions iir all tho capitals of Europe. Africa, America, and -Australasia. The farewell of this '.harming singer in Sydney was at tlio Town Hal] on October 81, 190G, but she passed through the eity at the end of that year, and did not close her hurried tour of 55 concerts in live months until Jsimmry 17, at I'YemanHe, wheno-o sho .sailed to meet an engagement at tiic Beethoven Salon,- Berlin.