THE QUEEN AS A VOCALIST.

Evening Star, Issue 10391, 12 August 1897, Page 3

THE QUEEN AS A VOCALIST.

In the June number of the London 'Musical Times' there is a most interesting article entitled " The Queen as a Musician." That Queen Victoria is a musician is perhaps not generally known, but this, the writer of the article asserts, is not only the fact, but that Her Majesty is a musician of no ordinary talent. In support of his assertion, he quotes from the reminiscences of Lady Blomfield (Maid of Honor to tho Queen), in which that lady recounts the delightful practices she used to have with Her Majesty. She states that the Queen would play her part in some of Beethoven's most difficult pianoforte duets, and, moreover, play it without a mißtako. A short time after the Queen's marriage (the writer goes on to state) Her Majesty gave a privats concert at Bucking, ham Palaca, at which Bhe sang no less than five times—once in a duet with tho Prinoe Consort (who possessed a fine baas voice), again in a trio with Rubini and Lablache, and also as a soprano in threo ohoruses, the latter of whioh was ' How lovely are the messengers,' from Mendelssohn's «St. Paul.' The writer of tho article then goes on to state that the Queen's vocal powers were also above the average, and quotes, perhaps, the highest authority of all—Mendelssohn himself. Some clippings are taken frop a letter of the immortal composer written to his mother at the time when he was paying a visit (at the invitation of the Queen) to Buckingham Palace. Mendelssohn states that he was in the Queen's sitting room with Her Majesty and Prince Albert and other members of the Royal Family. At his request, the Queen sang two songs—viz., ' Italy' and ' The pilgrims' song,' the latter his own composition. The former, he states, Her Majesty sang most beautifully in tune, strictly in time, and praised it most charmingly. The last " G," he says, he had never heard sung by any amateur with such ease and in such perfect tune. In the latter song, Mendelssohn states he praised the regal singer very heartily for the remarkable manner in which she sang that phrase near the end having the long sustained 0.

On April 13, at Anderson, Indiana (says an American paper), Judge Bnndy made a ruling that a conversation held over the telephone between the parties to the litigation should be admitted in evidence. Objections were raised, but the Court ruled in favor of the defendant, and admitted the legality of the telephone and the telephone conversation as evidence. It is said to be the first decision of its kind rendered in the United States. For unadulterated sweating commend us to this resolution of the Pahiatua County Council—" That the county offices be open to the pulbic every day except public holidays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and that if the clerk is unable to get his books posted up through the interruptions of ratepayers then he shall return in the evening to get them done." To his message of welcome to the Earl of Ranfurly the Mayor of Christchurch received this reply :—" Please convey to the citizens of Christchurch my hearty thanks for their expression of welcome to Lady Ranfurly, myself, and family.—Ranfubly, Wellington." Brewer: " Why, what's the matter, old man 1 You look upset!" Jones : " I should think lam ! My wife's learnt typewriting 'as a pleasant surprise for me,' and now she's coming to the office to save the expense of Miss Plumply's salary !" The pickpocket likes to keep in close touch with the people.