MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2938, 25 November 1916, Page 13

MUSIC

•" (By "Treble-Clef.") Grand Opera. It is with rare elation of spirit that a. great many peoplo will anticipate tbo visit of the (Jonzales Grand Opera Company Jatq next month. This company, which is capable of producing a treble cast (i.e., thrco operas in succession with an entirely different set of principals), has been playing in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane for over four months past with great success, the interest having been maintained by the extraordinary length of the company's repertoire, more, perhaps, than by tlio bed-rock quality of the performances. There are a number of artists in the company who would graco any stage, and much interest will be manifested in their performances. No company has ever attempted to play so many operas in a season, and as it is intended to change tho bill every other night, the approaching season will bo really a riot of grand opera such as wo have nevor before experienced. The changes of bill arc necessary, of course, in order to rest the principals, but in this case no opera can bo repeated after it is once taken off, because of the extensive repertoire to be 'given in each of the " centres. Twelve operas are to be sung in Wellington, and I think I am right in saying they have all been seen m operatic form in Wellington at some time or other, with the exception of "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "I Pagliacci" (one night's bill). The former has .been sung here three times in concert form, which gives no chance to display its vivid dramatic qualities. "La Bohemo" and "Butterfly" were performed by a Williamson company only a few years ago, and the Verdi repertoire, "Mignon" and "Lucia," were siing here in the days of Martin Simonscn and the Montague-Turner combination thirty years ago or more. With tho exception of the Puccini operas and "Carmen," tho younger generation in New Zealand are strangers to grand opera. The' New Zealand _ tourhas been arranged by the Fullers in combination with J. 0. Williamson, Ltd. Mr. Richard Stewart (recently manager for J. C. Williamson, Ltd. in South Africa, and well known in New Zealand) will mauago tho company, with Mr. Charles Berkeley as advance manager. Since tho above was written it has transpired that tho Opera Company is to open its New Zealand tour at the Grand Opera. House, Wellington, on December 5, not in.Auckland as originally arranged. ' i Paul Dufault's Plans," Last week I mentioned tho musiclovers of Java, and possibly Sumatra, as a touring ground for musical artists (I use tho latter in its strictesf"sense). Now it appears that Mr. Paul Dufault, ■ tho thoroughlyi dolightful tenor, contemplates a llying visit to that part or the world._ Indeed before he left Mr. Dufault informed ino that owing to certain reports he had received from his American manager relative to tie musical market, consequent upon the rush of artists from all parts of warstricken Europe, he had decided to recast his plans altogether. This will delay his return to America by about four months. In the interim Mr. Dufault intends to tour the whole of New Zealand, visiting those places that he had to cut out on his last visit owing Aiau ui puu 'ouif). jo ojnsserd oq. ones. This will involve another forty Concerts in New Zealand. Then it is his intention to travel via Sydney to Java, Sumatra, Singapore, . Saigon (where the French peoplo aro bound to give him a great welcome), Manila, Hong-Kong, Shanghai, and possibly two or'three'centres iii' Japan. . This will enable him' to reach America in April or June, in time to havo a summer holiday on his farm in Canada before setting out to conquer hew ivorlds with his consummate art. This he intends to try and do, for he talks of out to do South America, South Africa, to be followed by a return visit to theso parts, Australia, and possibly tho Dutch East Indies again in 1918. Come when he will, there will always be audiences for Paul Dufault in New Zealand. No artist has ever made a more genuine success in this country than he. Zoalandini and Brisbanl. Tho cabled news that Zealandini and Bnsbani havo niado a highly-successful dobut in concert in London, received by His Grace Archbishop Redwood, has more than an ordinary interest for New Zealand and Australia, an interest that is only obscured by the wrack of war. Zealandini, be it understood is Mr. Vernon Redwood, nephew of tho Archbishop, and ono of the wellknown Marlborough Redwoods, ono of tho THie old families who have helped to make New Zealand what ' shb is. Realising comparatively lato in life that ho had strong vocal gifts, Mr. Redwood (tho father of a family of six) resolved to risk all on an operatic career, and his wife (who hails from Brisbane), who is curiously enough, no less gifted, also decided on a . stage career. So off tlioy both went to Milan to study, worked ,at vocalism and the Italian language, with the result that within three years tliey appeared in Milan as Faust and Marguerite respectively, and wero hailed as genuine artists of undoubted ability. Sinco then tliey have appeared in concert in Lonubn, again with success, and a little Taicr America and probably Australia will hear them. If Mr. Ben Fuller is serious iu his intention to play Italian opera in English next year, liore is a chance of securing two artists, who are sifro to create, widespread intorest in Australia. . The very fact that a man over forty years of age should undertake such a precarious career as that of ah operatic vocalist is. strange almost to tho point of freakishnoss, but that his wife shouTd also do so, and that they should win out is a crowning .wonder. Mother Mary Bernard, of tho Scatoun Boys' College, is an aunt of Mr. Vernon Redwood (Carlo Zealandini), and with her brother the Archbishop shares the family devotion to music. His Grace, by tho way', is reputed to bo tho only possessor of a genuine Stradivarius violin in Australasia. "The Messiah." There is no question about tho musical greatness of "The Messiah." From its first performance it was realised that Handel had written under inspiration, 60 colossal was tho ideal, so won-, derful its conipleto realisation. For nobility and grandeur in chorus work, for rich reverential melody, for beauty of orchestration, "Tho Messiah" stands alone among the oratorios, a monumental work, tho popularity and appeal of which grows rather than lessens with the years. Tho oratorio has been performed each year by the Royal Choral Society, and will, pleaso the gods, bo performed each Christmas month by its successor, the Wellington Choral Union. This year's performance is to take place on . December 7. Miss Winnie Waugli, of Melbourne, will sing the soprano music, tho tenor will bo Sergt. Edwin Dennis (in camp), tho contralto Miss Mina Caklow, and tlio baritone Mr. L. Barnes (of Cliristchurch). Notes. Miss Evelyn Scotne.v,. a beautiful coloratura soprano, and her husband, Mr. Harold White, a basso, who have been visiting Australia, have returned to America. There is a probability that they may tour Australasia professionally next year.