OPERATIC ORGAN MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2114, 3 April 1914, Page 8

OPERATIC ORGAN MUSIC

COUNCILLORS SAY "30."

More popular organ music for the public is necessary, iu the opinion of Councillor J. Fuller. At last nigbt'S meeting of the City Council ho moved: "That tho City Organist fee instructed to report as to tlii)'advisability: (a.) Of inc-hiding in his programmes operatic music such as f Marit>iiia. J and opera# akin in merit; or (b) of devotmg one re* cltal monthly to a programme arranged oil jiioie. popular lines than at present.' 1 1 Councilor Fuller went on to support more popular and light airs. lie quoted a tc-jio-rt froirt ■ fjia "Sydnoy iu-onj.ii)g Herald," in which it was state! that ih.!> Sydney organist gained great effects with such pieces as "Isb lie Like,' a Soldier Fall",etc. There wore certain cotuitcill,ors ? said the speaker, iviio tried to make light of his jioiico of motion, but there was certain merit in it, A councillor; "Turn it up." Councillor Knllcr went on to refer to finances, Ho contended that hotter port would he forthcoming if popular opera airs, etc., were played. If the public w« ; e given what they wanted, they would eomc to hear tho onanist. A. reuu-n of Co or £8 was not what the}' expected frorn recitals- when they ac pointed Mr. Bernard Page. Mr, Ernest Truman, tho Sydney organist, . played Selections fr<Dtn U L& anil "Madame Butterfly," which were much to tho popular taste. Tho motion was only that Mr, Pagfi should report .on tho matter. .. . , , , T Coiincillor MacKeiizle seconded tnO motion. There was n good deal of merit in what Councillor Puller had said. He knew that a good many of tins expert musicians Aid. kot like to come down to what they called a lower stage, but if they wanted to. attract the public the musicians would hftvd to cdufto to tho public up to tho higher sta.nda.rds. > ; Councillor Fletcher:-You get a hij;hcfoss artist out from the Old Country, and I think ho ought to ho tlie one to ' itodiro oil the music to submit to tlio public. Sou anoint a. high-class artist, to educato the public. ' i Couneilter Fuller: "Of keep t.hsm ' aV Tho motion Was lost by eight votes to five. .. .