WHITE WOLVES ON THE WARPATH.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2112, 1 April 1914, Page 7

WHITE WOLVES ON THE WARPATH.

FEARS FOR THE MISSIONARIES. By ; Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ■■■■■•. Peking, March 30. The' "Whit* .Wolves" are devastating Ea&tern Shensi. .. . .".:..; . Fears are expressed for tho safety of the missionaries, especially in the event of tho troops joining the.brigands. ■■■ OBITUARY. .'" l — - ft- — , TITO MATTEI—COMPOSER. • By TeletrrapU—Press Aesociation—Copyright c London, March 30. Tito Mattei, the celebrated Italian composer, is dead. _ Tito Mattei, the veteran Italian pianist and composer of songs that are. sung every day throughout the world, had a distinguished career. :Ho was horn at Campobasso, rear Naples, and received his musical education in the latter city under Thalberg and others. So forward was he in his etudies 'that at eleven years of age he was appointed Professor of tho Santa Cecelia Academy in Home, \and became a member of the Philharmonic Society there. As a virtuoso of the pianoforte _he gave his first concert in 184 C, and immediately created quite a name for himself. Tours of Italy and later on of France and England followed. In '1853 'he returned to'ltaly and after playing before Pope Pius IX, received a gold medal at his hands. Ten years later he made London his centre, and gave concerts all over tho United Kingdom and occasionally on the Continent, i In 1870 he organised and conducted a season' of Italian opera at the Lyceum Theatre. Ho ■was a most prolific composer, chiefly of songs, and- pianoforte pieces. Many of the former became a vogue and still remain in the repertoire of many concert artists. Among' many may Ije singled out "Dear Heart," "Oh, Hear, tho Wild Winds Blow," "Non e Ver," and Mattel's Waltz. He also composed several operas,, among thorn "Maria di Qand," performed at His Majesty's Theatre, London.

Tito Mattei, who. was Chevalier of Maurizic- aiid ' Lazzero, was a very charming and lovable character. In a recent Dominion interview Mdlle. Antonio Dolores, now in the south, said: "In London there is dear old Papa Tito Mattei to look after. Ho is now 71 years, but still a wonderful man; and etill, writing beautiful music. He has had my Australian cockatoo—ah, a wise old bird—in his keeping for thirty years, and whenever I bo back it noes crazy with , delight. Tito ■Mattel is like a father to me—he loves mo quite as much as his Mack dog and cat,'and that' is saying more than you would think. He\has a heart of gold. So tympathctic is he that when , his cat goes to sleep on his shoulder and the dog on his opposite arm, the old man, however wakeful lie is, would not dream of disturbing them until they wake naturally. And hoi 1: jealous the do? and cat are of old Tito's attention. Ho lins to be fearfullv diplomatic to keep peace in the house. ,.

Pine Tone Organs.—The 801 l Organ and. Piano Co., Quelph, Canada, are tho largest . makers of Organs and Pianos uuder the British flag. Tho Diadem, the Student's, the Chancel, and the Mission Organs are tho best instruments for the home, the echool, and the church. "Tho Dresden" will give you easy terms. ' Solo agents, Tho Dresden Piano Co., Ltd., Lnmbton Quay and Brandon Street, Wellington. M. J. Brookoa, North Island manager.