Mimes and Music

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 25

Mimes and Music

cV "ORPHEUS".

Mr. Will Hufcchens Has boon appointed honorary conductor of tho Wanganui Orchestral Society, with Mr. O. Naii-1 man as assistant. Mr. V. B. "Willis is honorary secretary, and Mrs. Abcrnethy the accompanist. "A Tale of Old Japan" isfto be performed by the"Wanganui Choral1 Society. This work of Coleridge-Taylor, with its lyrical beauty and harmonic charm, was presented "in Wellington by the Choral Union in 1928; principals were Miss Naomi Whalley, Mrs. Wilfred Andrews, and Messrs. Eoy Hill and Leu Barnes, Mr. John Bishop conducting. Wallis Clarke, who played the role of tho drunken -doctor-.■ in^Leon Gordon-'s presentation of "White Cargo" throughout New Zealand, is appearing in "Slie Means Business," a New York stage play. Guy Bates Post will probably appear in the New York production of "Lady in Pawn." He was last in Wellington in 1926, his repertory including' "The Green Goddess," "The Masquerader," and "Tho Bad.Man." Violet Elliott, well known'as a revue and vaudeville star, is with Prank O'Brien's revue touring the South of England. ;_ ■. i Posen, in Poland, has. revived Paderewski's opera, "Man'rii," composed about 1902, in. honour of the famous pianist 'b seventieth birthday. Frank Neil has disbanded his South African revue company, and is to join with Sir Benjamin Fuller in bringing out new plays to Sydney. Field Fisher and Leslie Woods have returned to Australia. The Victorian Professional Orchestra is contemplating presenting Alfred Hill's Maori opera "Teora," with Alfred Hill conducting. Janette Gilmore,-the acrobatic skating and dancing star of "Rio Rita," whose death was announced last year, is veij- much alive; in fact, sho is on the Sonoma for Sydney, in company with Charles Sylbcr, also of "Rio Rita," to appear under Ernest Rolls. Beverly Nichols has written a eomcdy specially for Marie Tempest, who is to appear in it in London. It is entitled "Daughters of Gentlemen," and Miss Tempest is to play the part of a lady impersonating a schoolmistressexcellent opportunity for an actress with her roguish comedy sense. Nellie Bramley is playing Western Australia with a thriller entitled "The Creaking Chair." Alfred Frith is back under tho Williamson management, having replaced Cecil Kellaway in "Sons o' Guns" to allow Mr. Kelleway to go into the cast of "Dearest Enemy" in Sydney. Dot Brunton is lead in this musical comedy. Several of Pat Hanna's disbanded Diggeis reassembled in Melbourne recently to take part in an earthquake relief fund concert. Pat himself performed, with Ida Crossley, Ernest Kopke, and Norman French. Kit Orpen, daughter of Sir William Orpen, the famous portrait artist, is making her stage, debut at Hammersmith in a new light opera entitled "Tantivy Towers." Decision has been reserved *in the divorce 'case against Captain Bruce Bairnsfather and Constance Collier, actress, by Mrs. Bairnsfathen, Madame Mary Coshes, wife of the; famous French Atlantic flyer, is a lady of great charm, who has already achieved fame on the French stage, as well as in the talkies. G. and S. Revival. Messrs. J.C.W. are opening thenr Australian Gilborfc and Sullivan season with "The Gondoliers," at the Theatre. Royal, Melbourne, shortly after Easter. Marie Bremner ia to enact the role of Gianetta; Gregory Stroud (the Nuf-al-Din of Oscar Asche's remarkable spectacle, "Chu Chin Chow"), has returned to play the role of Gmseppe; and'lvan Menzies, English comedian... specially brought out from London for the season, will be Duke of Plaza Toro. Other, parts in which he will be "featured will be Jack Point, in "Yeoman of the Guard," Major-General Stanley in "Pirates of, Penzance," and Ko-Ko in "The Mikado." . Miss Bremner is realising the'ambition of her stage career in being selected to play in Gilbert and Sullivan. She ia in; private life Mrs. Chappie, her husband being a prominentSydney musical man, with broadcasting experience in a directional,sense. ■ ■■■.'•.■ ■ ' .-■.. i ■■.■'■■ ■ , : •' Famous Jewish Cantor. Two hymns from the Jewish Church, "Kol Nidrei," which has been recorded several times as an instrumental solo, and "Eili Eili," are recorded by the famous Jewish cantor, Josef Rosenblatt, whose voice ia one of the most remarkable yet heard on the gramophone. His range is extraordinary, and in <*Kol Nidrei" especially there are several phrases taken mezzavoce which would tax the resources of- any singer. The voice is resonant and robust, but has a sympathetic quality which enhances the reverent effect of the singing. The beauty pf these two traditional hymns is undoubted, and it is an experience to have them sung by such • a famous exponent. (H.M.V., 8D17.) . Talkie, and Dance ■ Successes on Columbia. ". '■;' .•■..... . ■■"'.■ From "Whoopee," tho talkie in -which Eddie ■.Cantor was such an uproarious 'success/ we1, have three extraordinary fine Columbia "discs. Ted Wallace and his- Campus Boys give the foxtrot, "My Baby' Just Cares For Me," paired with another foxtrot, "Don't Tell Her.V (Columbia.DO 249.) Jack ~ Lumsdaine;"~the" popular bari- • tone, sings "My Baby Just Cares For Me" and couples it: .'"with ; "A . Girl Friend of a Boy' Friend- • o-f-- Mine." (Columbia D 0237.} Colin Crane sings the very success-, ful "I'll Still Belong to You/ and the reverse gives "Little White Lies." (Columbia D 0241.) .. From the <'Cuc.ko.QS,".. th.c California Ramblers choose the tuneful foxtrot, "I Lovo You So Muelu" On tho revcrso is another foxtrot, "F'r Instance." (Columbia D 0153.) John M'Cormack. . ;, The Irish tenor/John M'Cormack, has recorded '.'Little Boy Blue," one of his biggest successes in his talking film, " Song b' My Heart.'' Simply and Sincerely, M'Cormack- singß tho story o?. the toys -and tin soldiers of a child-who.was called away.in his .sleep. Never has tho great tenor's art been more appealing. The touch of pathos is beautifully expressed and supplies the reason why people flock to M'Cor.mack's concerts. On the other sido of the record ho sings "Tho Rosary" with 'cello obligato by Lauri Kennedy, and the rendering is most eloquent. Every shade of tone is a touch of artistry. (H.M.V/DA1116.) Quentin Maclean Plays Ballad Memories. .The ballads of the last century and the first decade of this are not yet forgotton. They seem to have a longer musical life than the modern foxtrot and theme songs. Why, X wonder? Quentin Maclean, with his infallible Ikn'aek of getting the utmost tonal detail from the registration of hia colossal organ at the Regal Cinema, London, has this month furnished, an artistically played selection of some of Herman. Lohr's and other minor song writors' old successes. Tho recording is brilliant, and should enjoysa huge sale. Included are the following: "Where My Caravan Has Rested,"- "Little Grey Home in the West," "O, Dry Those Tears," "Floral Dance,^ "Hose in the

Bud," "Sue is Far From the Land," "Maire, My Girl," "Because.!' (Colum-! bin DoXll6.)iv -'■' J Musical Comedy Revived. The rovival of old musical comedy successes cqutinues, and ''Miss Hook of Holiaud" has been added to the list. Rubens's tunes stand out with au etoiaal freshness, aiid tho gems of thisi wonderful light opera are sung in first rate style by the' Light Opera Company. - Bvory word of those breezy songs comes through clearly and such gladsome verses as "Tho Flying Dutchman," "Soldiers of.the Netherlands, 3' "A Pretty Pink Pretty From Poter," "Little Miss Wooden Shoes," "Cheese Chorus,'? "The Sleepy Canal," and "The Honso that Hook Built" are sung with spirit. (H.M.V., C 1989.) "Floradora" Vocal Gems. It may surprise some to know that the musical comedy successes of the beginning of the century were quite as tuneful, catchy, and amusing as the latest Cochran revue. The gay tunes and swinging melodies popular thirty years ago; could be no better illustrated than by these sparkling gems from "Floradora." This is undoubtedly one of the finest records yet made by the Columbia Light Opera Company —and they have made many line records. The goms included in this cleverly managed pastiche are those herounder: "I Want to be a Military Man," "Tho Fellow Who Might," "Phrenology," "Tell Me, Pretty Maiden," "The Shade of the Palm," "The Silvor Star of Love" (Leslio Stuart). (Columbia DOX 115.) Artistic Tenor. . During'the last few.months B.eniamino Gigli has been, represented on several, records, and of these one may particularly mention his. music in the final scene from Donizetti's "Lue'iidi Lammormoor" and in his captivating singing of two Neapolitan songs, "Ma: ria, Mari" and "Quianna a' femmena vo." In "M'appari tv" from Flotow's "Martha," the famous tenor's remarkably beautiful voice is heard to fullest advantage, and he sings with admirable restraint, phrasing artistically and with a perfect legato. Qn th'o reverse side Gigli sings Vasco di Gama's aria, "0 Paradiso," from Meyerbeer's opera, "L'Africans'." (H.M.V., D.B. 1382.) "The Crown Diamonds." Here is another war-horse lifted, from tho limbo wherewith to delight^ us. Auber's forty-odd operas may be more or loss forgotten now, but it is a pleasure to hoar the symphonic preludes that accompanied some of them. Crisp, colourful music that is thoroughly enjoyable—especially when so well played by Dan Godfrey and the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra. (Columbia D0X76.) Warm 'Cello Tone. . ■ Glazounoff's captivating "Melodio Arate" is played as a violoncello solo by Cedric Sharpe, whoso warm tone and technical skill, combined with a sense of rhythm, bring out all the glow of the melody. Glazoun'oif, "like most of the Russian school, is lavish in his musical colouring, and Cecil Sharpe shows "an imaginative conception of the number. On the other side he plays one of his own works, "Pavane," and here displays inspirational ability both as a composer and player. The ,'cello tone is vividly reproduced, and the piano accompaniment by Cecil Dixon is very clear. (H.M.V., 83509.) JPaganini's Little Bell. r When Paganini dashed ' ofE his "Campanella" he little imagined that Liszt would transform it from a Violin tour do'force into: a piece of pianoforte virtuosity. But while Liszt was ringing the changes he must have guessed that Busoni, or some other piano exponent, Would rearrange it ■= so as to make it playable.by ordinary, mortals. So here is "La Campanella" (Paganini —arr. Liszt, arr. Busbni). Murdoch makes light of its difficulties, and the piano tone is recorded with really astonishing fidelity/ (Columbia D 0234.) Spirited Performance. \ Clemens Schmalstieh, conducting the Berlin State Opera Orchestra, gives a very enjoyable" and spirited performance of the overture^, to : ; Boieldieu's "Caliph of Bagdad" on two sides of a 10-inch record. This opera was produced in Paris over a hundred years ago, and it seemed to fill the demand of the time for a successful one-act opera. The tuneful melodies captivated the imagination of the Parisians, and were/ sung and-whistled' everywhere. The success was repeated in all provincial houses and also in Germany, the opera being frequently revived during the next half-century. The opera is still occasionally heard, both in France and Germany. The recording is very good. (H.M.V., 83482.) . Margherita Salviin "Caro nomo che il mio cor" and "Tutte le-feste al tempio" ("Eigoletto). The famous coloratura aria "Dearest-Name" can be and usually is nothing more than an ex- . euse for vocal display, but Margherita Salvi gives that display, impeccably executed, with the right dramatic impulse behind it. In the second area, "On Every Festal Morning," tho cadenza at the end is of a very dramatic nature, and in this, as> indeed, in the rest of the aria, Mme. Salvi shows herself- a splendidly equipped artiste. The recording brings out excellently the clear-toned quality of her voice. Here is a fitting successor to Mme. Salvi's wonderful record' of ''Una voce poco fa."—Parlophone 5004. Guiseppo Nessi (tenor), Emilio Vcnturini (tenor), and Aristicle Baracehi (baritone), in. "Tho Ministers'. Trio" (two parts), from "Turantlot." Nothing ill Puccini's "Turandot" is moro . original, charming, and diverting than "The Ministers'.Trio." The vivid orchestration is very-successful in giving a Chinese colouring to tho score. The ministers provido the comic reliof in the opera, and these thrco artists (who appeared successfully in tho parts at La'.Scala, Milan) entirely realise tho humorous implications of the music.— Parlophone 1013. . :