Mimes : Music : Records

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 13, 29 November 1924, Page 21

Mimes : Music : Records

THE SHOWS.

Grand Opera House—Grand Opera Singers, open to-night. Muriel Starr, 20th December. His Majesty's-Fulter's Vaudeville. ■'• His Majesty's—Hugh Ward's Company of Comedians, 2Gth December. De luxe Theatre—Pictures. King's Theatre—Pictures. The Tivoli-Piotures. , Artcraft Theatre—Pictures. Our Theatre—Pictures. Empress Theatre—Pictures. Shortt's Theatre—Pictures. Strand Theatre—Pictures. Britannia Theatre—Pictures. Princess Theatre—Pictures.. Queen's Theatre—Pictures.

Miss Ada Reeve has returned to Sydney after a holiday trip to Burma and Ceylon.

It is rumoured' on good authority that Dion Boucicnult paid £1500 in income tax on his New Zealand tour, states the Sydney " Sun."' '

Records show that .Anna Q.. Nillson was featured in more picture productions than any other woman last year. She appears in "Broadway After Dark," ■which promises to be a screen sensa-

Frederic Shipman, who introduced the late Nordica to New Zealand, is now business manager for the "North-west Musician;" a newsy little monthly published at Portland, Oregon, U.S.A. De .Groot's Qrchestra, which has a long list of successful recordings to its credit, is in the December list with three pleasing double discs—"Eleanor" —"Chanson-Melodic"; "Millions d'Arlequin"—"Serenade" (Valse Boston); "Chanson Bohemienne"—"lntermezzo Valse"; and "La Violtera"—"C'est Jeune etca n'sait pas." George Gee is returning to Australia. He is now on his way, and, with good fortune, should be ready to open with Josie Melville, in a new show after Christmas (prblrably "Stepping Stones"). _ The demand for Western pictures starring Fred Thomson and "Silver King" is increasing. He has just signed an important contract tc make a regular number of pictures during the next few months. .. . . .

Miss Dorothea Vincent, the famous English pianist, is -to give two recitals in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, on 3rd and sth December, As has been previously indicated in these, columns Miss Vincent met with splendid receptions in the various South African towns and has promised a return series on completion of her New Zealand 'recitals. Possessed of a charming and unassuming personality Miss Vincent makes many mends wherever she goes. Of her art the South African Press speaks in glowing terms. The box plan opened at -Beggs music warehouse -to-day Mr. W. Burton, for some years manager of His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington, has arrived here to make arrangements for the coming of the SeymourHicks Comedy Company and " The OBnen Girl,"'two of the Ward-Fuller attractions for New Zealand at Christmas. . .

The romanticist will sigh, and the cynic chuckle over "Babbitt," the picture . version- of. Sinclair,- Lewis's very' modern novel., full. of .intimate, appeal. Willard Louis (the. Prince in "Beau iJrummell' ) gives an excellent portrayal of one Babbitt, a portly, middle-aged average married man, with a romantic kink, who evolved grave doubts whether tho women men marry in their youth are suited to their years of discretion. The Nellie Bramley Company was £iven a civic reception at Whangarei in honour of its first visit to that town. Air. W. Timewell, acting-mayor presided, and Mr. R. G. Hosking/president of the Waiata Society, also spoke a few words of welcome. The company played record seasons at Whangarei and Han"™", and is now in Oisborne. tralh-Curci, whose advent to these parts is now a certainty, has added to her already long list of recordings a, Massenet bracket, "Obeissons quand leur voix appelle," from "Manon," and "Sevillana, from "Don Cesar .de Bazan " says the reviewer. Galli-Curci is at her most brilliant in Massenet's "Sevellana ; her technique leaves one breathless. The gavotte song from "Manon" is equally well sung—there are a few'emoelhshments—but the opening bars are tor this singer curiously nasal. It is a pity the proper accompaniment and not a wind band had been used for this last song; that to the "Sevillana" is very well, done.

"The Sea: Hawk,""claimed to be the most spectacular picture ever screened is coming to Wellington early in the £tT y« alK T Whcn Eafael Sabatini wrote Ihe Sea; Hawk" he provided a sensation in the literary world. Now the announcement is made that it has been transferred to the screen as a 14-reel theatrical film attraction. Tho story runs ■tho whole gamut of human elements' piston, and adventure on laud and sea' and takes the spectator through a sweeping flood of colourful romance. A strik ing feature of the picture is that when one thinks the number of dramatic incidents is surely exhausted, a fresh batch is only beginning. The modern drama has been thoughtfully divided into rooms, so that as soon as the curtain rises you can tell what youro m for. Thus,, if the scene that opens up is a bedrcom, and you don't like.to blush m publish, leave at once; you are in for a farce. A dining-room is inevitably a .little comedy of "real lie, most of real life evidently taking place at meal times. A drawing-room is always the sent of high comedy-com-edy sparkhnjr with . rare wit. Murders are inevitably committed in libraries so when you see bookcases whose doors wont open know that you're going to get a melodrama. If the scene doesn't resemble' any room- in particular but merely looks as if the architect had been diuik-thats a -revue.—"Life" (New

v "The Etude" recently appointed a world court "> of 26 musicians, who were askccl to name the greatest ten masterpieces of music Among tho judges was. Percy Oruiugor, Leopold Aver John Alde.i Xarpenler .(the American coraP? 80.1")' r VV lcchfc d'lndy,- Galli-Curci. Mark Hamburg, Josef Hofmann, Edwrn Lemae Moskowski, Puccini; and SeiVfned Wagner. On the works chosfen votes were cast as follow: "The Mastersingers," 14 j B Minor Mass, 10: Beethoven s fifth symphony, 9; "Tristan,'•' 9; Beethoven's ninth '^symphony 7 • ''Carmen," 7; "Pathetjque" symphony, 5; Don Giovanni," 4; Brahms's first symphony, 4; Mendelssohn's violin concerto, 4; Chopin's B-flat minor sonata, 4; Schumann's piano concerto, 4 • "L'Apres-midi dun Faune," 4; Sonata Opus 111. (Beethoven), <\; Beethoven* seventh symphony, 4; St. Matthew Passion, 4; "Unfinished" symphony, 4; '•Evl King," 4; "Parsifal," 4. The high place accorded by distinguished inusicimis- to "Cuvmen" in perlmpa the feature of Uio voting. Tho ruling r,r tho composers was as follows:—Beethoven 36, . ■\Vapncr 33. Bach 24, Mozart 14. Bralims 14. iSnhubcrt. 33,*Cliopiii 12, fjchniiiaini .13, "MendeLssohn o,' TscliaiI.u^hkv i;. i>Rbtis»y 7. Bi/.el-7, Im:sdclc 7.

A tot-.-yspbi-dcnl afK-» nl!elhci-..auv records uiude b^ Madjiiue OJ^j* i'eirgv'a

have arrived in New Zealand. Madame Petrova has made records for one of the larger companies, but though they were obtainable many years ago, they are not now in stock. They may be secured m America.

Dorothy Devore ,the former Christie comedy-star, has signed a five-year contract with Warner Brothers to appear in their classics of the screen. Her first appearance will be in "The Narrow Street.

Chaliapin, the famous baritone and the highest paid performer possibly appearing before the public to-day will visit Australia early next year, and will give concerts throughout Australia and New Zealand. Chaliapin, who is a Russian by bu-th, has long been acknowledged to be the greatest living baritone. What a wonderful year for Australian music-lovers 1925 is going to be! Fritz Kreisler, world's undoubted best violinist; Galli-Curci, the reigning queen of song; Pavlova, the greatest dancer, with her Russian ballets; Paul Althouse and Arthur Middleton, in a return visit; and now Chaliapin ! Nellie Bly Baker, Chaplin's stenographer, who played "the masseuse" in • A Woman of Paris," comes into her own as the sphinx-like "slavey" in "How to Educate a Wife," a picturisation of Elinor Glyn's story. Real humour, distilled by that expert exponent of the quite ridiculous, Alfred Lester, comes in a double disc, "I Love to Sing in My Bath," and "I Love Me."

Quite in season are nursery records for brightening the little folks' Christmastide. The Mayfair Orchestra-pres-ents a medley of well-known nursery tunes, while several "Uncles," answering to Uncle George, Uncle Charlie, and Uncle Harry, tell stories and chime rhymes.

Mane Prevost, expert' swimmer and horsewoman, appeared for E ome time in Mack Sennett comedies, until she essayed a dramatic role, and was found to possess the qualities which go to the making of a star.' In "Brass," she passed the "star test" with honours, and again takes the lead in the forthcoming pictures, "How to Educate a Wife" and "Being Respectable." "How to Educate a Wife" shows how a wife can often"advaiice her husband's business interests by playing the tactful hostess and winning his business friends. But where one wife succeeds another fails, as is shown in this picture. J. C. Williamson, Ltd., reports a net profit of £62,277 for the year ended' 30th June. An income of £121,883 was derived from seasons and tours (less expenses), and £50,209 from other sources. A dividend amounting to £18,750 was paid in May, and preference share interest to 30th June took £1358 (leaving £42,169 to be carried -forward. Of £26,398 brought forward from the previous term, £18,750 was paid in dividends and £7648 transferred to reserve. The company holds £396,353 in war loans and. shares in other companies, and £605,448 is taken into account for properties, rights, good-will, etc. "The O'Brien. Girl," which' Hugh J. Ward Theatres, Ltd., will shortly send across to New Zealand, ran for twentythree consecutive weeks- in: Melbourne. "Little Nelly Kelly," which was played for twenty weeks in Melbourne, was written and composed by George M. Cohan, the writer and producer of many famous shows. Nearly all the principals of the company are known to New Zealand only by repute. Miss May Beatty, of course, ie well known, being a New Zealander by birth; she is the principal comedienne. Mr. Mark Daly is the chief comedian, Mr. R. M. Cutter, eccentric light comedian, and Miss Mamie Watson is leading lady Others of the principals are Leyland Hodgson, Ina Dale, Maudie Vera, Lou Vernon, liobert Jackson, and Eric Masters In dancing the company is particularly strong June Roberts, who came 72"? m v ir ™tlSr :io from the famous Ziegfeld FoUies, New York, where she Wa? w Jnn Pal'■ n danseuse» Hazel Harris and Westley Pear.cc are some of the speciality solo dancers. Willy Red stone, a .relation of Gounod, the great S*' ". conducting the orchestra. -He composed the music for "A Night

Miss Esther Fisher continues to create good impressions at Home. The London Press gives her further praise following OctZ, ft the WT WTS Hall «sm£ October—the second given this year Her gl ffc of piano-playing is le JZd complete " states tho " MoVning Post '" _fahe played a number of well-worn piano works, and in general made them fresh again. Schumann's' ' Faritasie ' usually a wilderness,..was given aKmg lile a ,,d for once it was a welcome episode in the programme. Miss Fisher's faculty oE rhythm made itself felt tot only n the energetic marching movement of the Inntaaio- but.in the utterly different - Reflets dans l'eau 'of Debussy. Few piumsts understand that to handle rhythm, as freely a3 this piece demands they must have rhythm under ddfcate leave it to its own devices. Miss Fisher also brought out the depths and div anceso piano tone us T^ussy imagined them. She is clearly extreme! v musical ■ and conscientious," states tie : D»riy Express," » and at her best \t ss-oS^ f<«r T^iii l>e a lover o Brahms and Schumann but it is not altogether a judicious kind of love; it is too capricious, not deep-seated enough; it takes formjn gushes of emJtion and passionate extremes; it is for the day not for the year. The technical defect which lies behind her playing is the fai ure to produce tone at the quiet moments; these -sink into insignificance instead of asserting themselves by n en l tratmgc quality. , In loud passages more control of strength is needed. Bulwe can commendmuch of the workmanshin • there were several isolated moments in Schumann's 'Fantasie' and Brahms's Intermezzo m E flat minor that "ere beautifully managed." Among those in Miss I'ishei- s audience were Lady Allen and M.ss 11 Allen, Lady Myers, MiS Myers, Mt, K. Myers, Lady Parkinson Mr. J-rcderick Moore, Miss Vera Moore Alias \alene Corliss, Miss Eileen Dri.scoll, Miss Stella Murray, Mrs. F M B Eisher, Miss Enid Fisher, Miss E VUn.v azyn, Mr. F. Barkas, Miss Mary Cruiclo shank, and Mr. Stowe.

Ihos who have flown in an aeroplane those who have yet to make their lirst (light, and those who have vowed, thai they will never risk their necks in" one will find an overflowing measure of mirth in "Going Up," Douglas Mtcleiui's screen adaptation of'the musical comedy success.

Jho cara of tlic older generation will prick delightedly over, ■Mydiu'y Coltnian's "Sully In Our Alfe.y"---■.vliat a wondeiTnl lifn Kome uf Uirsi" old tiOtigs have! . Crai-K-elrnl is ;i IVIor Uawf-ou nmuber, ' "Xlic Volum-pr Ui-gaukU"

"Ruddigore," the latest recorded addition to the complete Gilbert and Sullivan operas, provides some very pleasant entertainment. There are nine double-sided, records.

Hugh J. Ward, who is at present in America, advises having secured the Australasian rights of the English musical comedy, "Archie." P. G. Wodehouee has a hand in so many such shows nowadays that one wonders whether the title of this one indicates Archie Moffam (pronounced Moom) the priceless English lad who married a New York hotel.

Another star in the soprano constellation, Selma Kurz, is sending out her recording of Schubert's "Der Vogel im Walde," with an Amadio flute obbligato, and Handel's "II Pensieroso," the latter an arrangement by R. Franz,, and featured by a cadenza written by SaintSaens. Selma. Kurz, says the reviewei", extends her kingdom in vocal renderings of piniio literature with a technique equal to Galli-G'urci's. She sails through Schuman's little piano piece with complete success. Like all prima donnas she omits the lovely recitative preceding the Handel aria, which depicts the rising of the moon over the- forest; and gives us only the feathered-fireworks.

Miss Marie Ney, the well-known New Zealand actress, lias been rehearsing for the parts . which she is to take at the reopening of the Old Vie. Last spring she was touring in Sybil Thorndyke's company of "The Lie,"" playing Lucy, which part she played in Australia, Miss Ney has been cast for Desdemona in "Othello," for Helena in "Midsummer Night's Dream," and for the queen in "Richard the Second." These are the three Shakespearian plays which will be produced before Christmas. Tho New Zealander is sure of a great reception (writes the . "Post's" London correspondent) because "the Old Vie. is the only London theatre which makes a specialty of its Shakespearian productions, and every performance has a crowded house.

Speaking' at the Music Trades Association Conference at Wembley Exhibition, Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Tatfcon, organising director of the Federation of British Music Industries, sa"id that they ■ were passing through a period of prosperity unexampled in the history of the gramophone. Although it was three months before Christmas he was told it was becoming impossible in some directions to meet the demand which existed. There was a similar prosperity m the piano trade, and a possibility of a shortage of pianos. Ihe presentation of a revue by people in ordinary clothes recently took place m Devonport, England. That was because all the props and the musical scores, in addition to personal luggage, went adrift. The management wanted neither to disappoint an audience nor do without the takings. It decided that Crisps" would be staged without scenery, dresses, or orchestra. It was presented with a single set of a local street scene and a front cloth. The chorus girls took a hitch in their skirts to do the-necessary kicking, and a member of the company played the accompaniment on the piano from memory. Afterwards tho audience, who had enjoyed the novelty, loudly cheered the performers. "You're married to me—not to your business." How many complaints come hurtling at the heads of unsuspecting husbands, after their wives get tired of spending every evening at home alone? True to his belief that life is the place to go for drama, Owen Davis, tho winner of last year's Pulitzer prize for the best play of the season, has taken this theme as the core of "Her Marriage Vow," the play which turns on- a woman's loneliness and desire for life.

An exceptionally brilliant record is that of Liszt's famous E flat piano concerto made by Mr. Arthur de Freef and the Albert Hall orchestra, Sir Landon Ronald conducting.- This is the so-called "triangle concerto"— from the use, considered so audacious 70 years ago, of the triangle in the scherzo. The leading subject, so bold and challenging, and the typical Lisztian exploits of the soloist, are the making of this concerto, which has outlived much of Liszt's music. This, record should be here shortly. Of interest to North-country people at all events is a record made by Miss Elsie Sudaby, the well-known Leeds soprano, just recorded. She has a delicacy of style which records well, and her two Purcell songs are well contrasted, "Hark, Hark, tho Echoing Air" is gay and full of vocal brilliancy, though Miss Sudaby sings this with perfect ease, it i» in "When I Am Laid in Earth," from tho same composer's "Dido and Aeneas," that her charm is best shown. There is depth of feeling .in every note.

Someone has dug up a good story of un old-tim© actor-manager, -who had been playing to ■ vary poor business somewhere iv tho North of England.

The last night came, and the disgruntled manager made a speech of farewell. "I have to thank you, one and all,"' he began, addressing the scattered audience, "for the noble way in which you have rallied to this— this—er—Temple of Thespis. I_ thank you for the kind manner in _ which you have patronised our efforts." A pause, rather a long pause; then his pent-up paesion exploded with, "But the Lord help me, if I ]iad opened a season on the Goodwin Sands I should have had more support from the shipwrecked sailors!"

Music-hall, artists of a bygone da}', men and women whose names were famous long before the present generation of theatre-goers took their places in gallery or stalls, were gathered together at a garden party given the other day by Harry Tate, of "Motoring" fame, and Mrs. Tate, at their home, at -Sutton, in Surrey. There were (says _ a London paper) over 50 of these old-time "stars" present, in a company numbering seven score. All the "old 'uns" are residents'at Brinsworth, Twickenham, the home for exartists of the variety world. James Newland, one of the original and famous trio of negro sketch artists, Brown Newland, and Leclerq, is 82 years of age, but he entertained the company with gags and patter. Jenny Russen, a, star singer and dancer 60 years ago gave a highland "fling," though she is now 79. Then there was Frank Folloy, a popular Irish comedian 50 years ago, who once earned 30s by writing and composing Harry Lauder's famous song "Stop Yer Ticklin', Jock," which he sang at the. garden party, to the delight of everybody. Among those present was Selena Seaforth (73), at one time champion lady boxer of the world who used to tour with a partner in boxing sketches. Boito, son of an Italian painter was born in .1842, but he died so recently as 1918. His best-known work is "Mefistofele," based on the story of "Faustii," but not at all like Gounod's popular opera of that name. Its composer was his own and most merciless critic, and it was many years before his opera "Nero" was given to the world. It is a great and Oragic work, and may now be heard as to parts of it on the gramophone. The selections at the moment available are the beautiful "Viveta in Pace," sung by Badini (baritone), "Come c Buona," by Lina Lanza (mezzo-soprano), and the duets, "Sento Che Ascende," by Badini and Lanza, and "Guarda Quaggiu," by Badini and Autori (tehoT). "The Lady of the Rose," one of the greatest of successes at Laly'e Theatre, London, may or may not be heard in the coming New Zealand musical comedy season, but it is remarkable for the attractive character of its lyrics, and these are to be heard by the Columbia Light Opera Company, in their "vocal gems." These include ""Mariana," '"I Love You So," "Land o' Mine," and the smart military airs and chorus incidental to the work.

Rare indeed in New Zealand are the opportunities for hearing the great symphonies of Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Tschaikowski, and other great masters. Orchestras are like bands,- of whom the Duchess of Plaza Tore remarked, "They want to be paid." Of course, they do; but when the citiesof. New Zealand assume the size and importance that is their destiny, then ■regular orchestral concerts will be possible, as in the large cities of Great Britain and America. In the meantime the masterpieces of the truly great composers are to be heard in the home, through the gramophone. Mozart's exceedingly melodious 39th Symphony (with never a sad note in it) is aa.classical, a work as .any learned musician can ask for, and in its sheer tunefulness it is satisfying and delightful to the average lover of mu6ic for itself alone. It has been perfectly recorded under the baton of.that great conductor,- Felix Weingartner.

The true note of profound sorrow is touched in the "Elegie" of Nandor Zsolt, played as a'cello solo bythatmas- <»■%• of the instrument W. H. Squire, and now just out-in the latest series of gramophone records. ; If the violin is the female of the stringed family, the 'cello is the male, and that is apparent by the virility and power with which Mr. Squire Tenders the sad hut beautiful melody by Zsolt. On the reverse sid* of this record is the dreamy piece, "Apres un Reve" (by Faure, as arranged by the eminent 'cellist, Casals) played also by Mr. Squire. The richness of his tone, the depth of his expression, are well known, but they were never more apparent than in these two numbers. \

■ One often hears of the sacrifices which film and stage stars are supposed to make in the .cause of their art. There is, "nowever, no doubt that J. Warren Kerrigan, the star of "The Covered Wagon," and now of the Rafael Sabatini production, "Captain Blood," went to the lnst extreme when he allowed every haiv of his head to be shaved off so that he could wear properly the magnificent wig of long curls necessitated by the character to be portrayed.