Mimes and Music

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 74, 28 March 1931, Page 24

Mimes and Music

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Among recent engagements of Mr. Harold Whittle in America was that of accompanist for Richard Bonelli, the popular American baritone, in a programme that was listened to by 4000 people. He has established himself in Chicago, and has been busy coaching and accompanying leading singers of •the Civic Opera Company there. Associated with Dot Brunton in the Williamson success in Sydney, "Dearest Enemy," are Sydney Burchall, Herbert Browne, Leslie Holland, Eomola Hanson, and other favourites of "Belle o£ Now York" and "New Moon" company, as well as Mayno Lynton, Cecil Kelleway, Maidio Hope, Dulcie Davenport, and William Perryman. Dame Clara Butt and her husband, Kennedy Rumford, are giving only three concerts in Melbourne, the first taking place to-night at the Auditorium, tho other two following on Ist and 4th April. Oecily Murray, brilliant English pianist, is accompanist. They are appearing under the Tait banner, and are on their way to South Africa. Mr. Kenneth Brampton, producer of the Auckland Little Theatre Society, has resigned that position, and will be succeeded by Gaston Mervale, wellknown actor, and principal of the Mervale Academy of Acting, Melbourne. He is well known in New Zealand, for his association with the Musgroves, Nellie Stewart, Meynell and Gnnn, and Williamson's. Clcmence Dane's "Bill of Divorcement" is tho society's first choice for the season. Ernest Meyer, formerly of Hamilton, ■who has been touring the States with his talking doll, is returning to New Zealand shortly. Diana Wilson and Eosemary Kees arc on tour iv the English provinces ■with an American thriller, "The Ninth Man," duo in London in the spring. An Australian company is contemplating a New Zealand tour with a repertoire of comedies that have been successes abroad. Mr. C. Monteitb M'Callum is already in tho Dominion arranging matters, and mentions "Lucky O'Flynn," "Apple Sauce," and "Irish Eyes," as possible productions. Mr. Donald Riley is to produce. Nina Scott, formerly of Hamilton, will tie feminine lead. Lance Fairfax, according to recent advices from the London correspondent <t? the "Post," has been singing at the New Victoria Theatre, London, in support of Evelyn Laye's first film picture, "One Heavenly Night." Lance received hearty applause for his singing of operatic airs and "Song of the Dawn.'' Repertory Season. Miss Helen Gard'ncr has been selected as Eose Trclawney in the forthcoming production by the National Repertory Theatre Society of "Trelawney of the Wells." This over-green masterpiece is now a classic. It is seldom attempted by amateur societies on account of tho size of the cast and the perfection expected of costumps and setting. Tho Wellington Society is sparing no expense in the purchase "f costumes and scenery, and an endeavour'will be made to make this its most :tmbitious effort so far. Mr. W. S. .Wauchop, the society's producer, has •J;ho large cast ' steady rehearsal, and ii, genuine, triumph is anticipated for iSir .Arthur Pincro's greatest success. Mr. K. S. Baldwin has been cast as Sir "Ilium Gower. His' "'n May. J iie word has been received that Josi.1, Hislop, the eminent Scottish tenor, who visited Wellington in 1927, is to make another New Zealand tour, commencing at Wellington in May. Hislop is one of the world's favourites, his sirt having appealed to all nationalities. His Dominion tour in 1927 was a personal as well as musical triumph, record houses assembling to pay tribute to a nun who was gentleman as well as artist. Hislop's recent success in "Frederica," the Franz Lehar operetta, with Fraulien Seidl (an Austrian musical comedy star specially imported to London for the title role in a charming play about the poet Goethe) is still fresh in the memories of thousands of music lovers at Home. Hislop was Goethe, his art triumphing completely over what some critics described as banal libretto. It was his debut in a performance of this nature,, and so great was the demand for seats that queues were formed overnight, in which hundreds patiently waited. His coming tour will, again be. under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait, who have sponsored through New Zealand •jtiany of the world's most famous artists, tho most recent being Jan Kubelik, violinist, who • also had a wonderfully successful tour, confounding the pessimists who were certain that our musical tastes had deteriorated. It is safe to say that when Hislop returns to charm with his sweet tenor voice, his sincerity, and his modesty, Now Zealanders'will again extend a cordial hand of welcome. Peter Dawson. Tho Australian baritone, Peter Dawson, continues his task of reviving old songs, and his latest record includes "Auld Lang Syne" and "Tho Miner's Dream of Home." "Auld Lang Syne" has becomq an integral part of our social life, and its sentiments are sincerely expressed by Dawson, who is assisted by a male quartet. The final verse is sung with great gusto. "The Miner's Dream of Home" is sung with equal success, and the maJo quartet again gives valuable assistance to the soloist. There is a splendid orchestral accompaniment in which effects are introduced to give atmosphere to the song. (H..V V., 83543). Billy Mayerl r ys "Jazz." (1) "Sing, l«vi Sinners" (introducing: "In. My Little Hope Chest"— theme songs, "Honey"); (2) "Any Time's tho Tiruo to Fall in Love, (introducing "Sweepin' the Clouds Away"—theme songs, "Paramount on Parado"); played by Billy Mayerl (piano). There are few pianists who can play jazz as well as Billy Mayerl, the composer of innumerable fancies in modern dance idiom. The tuneful pieces that he elaborates on this disc are both accompanied by a clarinet solo played by Van Phillips. All lovers of snappy jjazz .piano ■piubic should make a . special point of hearing DO 236. 'A Handful of Choice Regal Records. The Band of H.M. Eoyal Air Force, conducted by Flight-Lieutenant Amers, has, with a vocal quartet, ■ given us a fine medley of British tunes under the general title of "Songs of Britain." These are songs known and loved by everyone—played and sung in a unique fashion. (Regal G30050.) An exceptionally good medley of wartime songs is that supplied by the Jolly Old Fellows. This item is called "Dugout Ditties"—from "Here We Are Again" to "Good-byee-ee." (Regal G20883.) Colourful, Performance. Recent recordings prove conclusively that tho gramophone has an important part to play in fostering appreciation of orchestral music and extending one's knowledge of unfamiliar works. Records of world-famous orchestras under eminent conductors give performances far above what one can expect in New Zealand, and parents who wish their children to grow up with a love for music will find profitable investments in several of the latest recordings by the Now York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, ihe Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, or the

Berlin State Orchestra. For example, nothing eonld give greater pleasure than the fine disciplined performance by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra of Saint-Saens's poetic fancy, "Omphale's Spinning Wheel." A dainty conception this, with its fluent melody, warm splashes of colour, and delicato description, fading at last into a mysterious pianissimo. Tho musicianship is irreproachable, and tho conductor, Willem Mendelberg, gives an interpretation that is full of verve, bringing out always tho beauty of the strings. (H.M.V. D 1704.) Madame lioliraann. '' Rosenkavalier, "Act I.—'' Marriage of Figaro," Act 2. One of Madame Lehmann's famous parts is that of the " Marschallin " in the " Eosenkavalier.'' This part she has made peeuliarJy her own, and there is no singer before the public to-day who so perfectly realises tho picture of tho worldly beautiful woman —which Hoffmansthal and Strauss have so convincingly drawn in their score. In this excerpt the singer and the orchestra, with its expressive, revealing accompaniment, combino to give an artistic treat of the highest order. Tho countess of "Figaro" is a figure in some ways not unlike the Marschallin in the "Eosenkavalier." This exquisite air—sung with lovely tone and phrasing by Madame Lehmann. The orchestral accompaniment is most delicately recorded. (Parlophono 1022.)