CERCLE FRANCAIS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 50, 28 August 1934, Page 6

CERCLE FRANCAIS

An interesting address on the Italian opera botweeu the years 157C5 and 1689 and its influence on the French dramatists was given by Dr Carbery at a recent meeting of the French Club. The Italians never learnt the .roles by heart, he said. The actor merely danced through the play shortly before the acti" then donned his half-mask or floured his face according to convention, and took the boards relying on his powers of acting in his customary role. The Italian players held a higher position socially than the French, who even in the days of Moliere were regarded rather as vagabonds. A slide was shown of Stavelln Andreini, a capable and cultured woman, who did much to raise the position of players. Then followed Liberio Fiorelli, knbwrj as Scaramouche through his creation of the role-t-some said accidentally when seeking to amuse the child Louis XIV. Eighteen years later he was installed at Court with a salary of 1500 livres a year. Later, Dominique was to introduce French scenes in the Italian opera. Evaniste Gherrardi succeeded him, and as Harlequin dominated the stage, but owing to a fancied slight Madame de Maintenon had the Italians expelled, but one traces their influence in I'Opera'Comique. During-the evening Miss McGrath played "Clair de la lime" (Debussy) and "Anda-hix-.i" (Grnnndos). Madame Dechanet MeIntosh was hostess. Madame Bendall conducted the conversation claps, and the evening closed with tjie "Marseillaise." At a recent meeting of the club, the president (Mr. F. F. Miles) announced that Madame de Filippi had resigned her position of honorary secretary. This was received with regret. Miss Mackny, assistant secretary, will undertake her duties till the cloy "f <lio «p«sinm