MUSICAL NOTES.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 126, 26 October 1874, Page 2

MUSICAL NOTES.

“ Give me leave to speak mj mind."

The musical events of the past week have not been of an over exciting nature, though lam glad to be able to record that the concert given by the Miss Taylor’s was a success pecuniary, and to some extent musically. The programme as arranged contained a diversity of items —calculated to please all tastes, and succeeded. Miss A. S. Tsylor sang Rossini’s aria “ Di tanti palpiti" in the earlier portion of the programme with that artistic finish which marks all her performances, the vocalisation being all but perfect, and she also sany well in the duet, ‘‘The Sirens” in which she had to sing nearly all the music owing to the indisposition of Miss L. Taylor who sang under great disadvantages. I think I am only stating the fact, when I say that Miss Taylor’s rendering of Sir H. Bishop’s beautiful, but exceedingly difficult song, “ Lo here the gentle lark," was as great a treat in the way of music as we have had in Christchurch. The intricate and varied runs and trills in the song, were given with such accuracy, such perfection of harmony and sweetness as to render the performance most enjoyable. Mr Wood played the flute obligato, and did so well; keeping in-view the proper relative positions of the voice and instrument, he never for an instant drowned the voice, but rather lent every assistance by —if I may use the term—affording a rich stratum of harmony, and filling in and completing the perfect melody. The piano at times was rather obtrusive, the accompanyist hardly subordinating his instrument as much as he should have done. I was glad to notice that the audience fully appreciated the admirable manner in which this song was rendered.

Mrs Digby’s contributions were a song by Millard, “Waiting,” and a ballad “I told you so.” I did not like the former ; that is, I don’t think the style quite suited to this lady. She excels in the arch sparkling little ballads such as the second song sucg by her; the plaintive melancholy which forms the character of the first hardly being suited to her. Mrs 0. M. Taylor sang Sainton Dolby’s “ Hollow Oak” well. It suited her voice, as it affords opportunity for the bringing out of the lower notes of her voice, which are rich and full. The part songs were fa’rly sung, except a quartette in the second portion of the programme, which went badly, especially the bass part. Mr Knox, who was in capital voice, sang Campana’s “ Free Lance ” very well, and Mr Price was successful with Beethoven’s “ Adelaida.” His voice is singularly pure, and he has good power ; with practice, and a judicious selection of songs, Mr Price will take high rank amongst our local amateurs. I must not omit a word of praise to the capital little band under Mr Bonnington. They rendered the two overtures on the programme, especially that to “ II Barbiere ”

with fire and precision. The concertina solos were artistically played, some of the more florid variations on the theme especially so. Tour contemporary, the Press, has, 1 sec, been hauled over the coals by that reverend body, the Synod respecting the special service at St Michael’s. I am not going into the fight, but I may mention that I have been told that one of the leading basses never saw his part in the Anthem until it was handed to him in the choir stalls, and that only one practice was held of the whole service. Tf this be the case, I very much doubt —the potent, grave, and reverend seignors notwithstanding—whether the service was a success. The Harmonic Seciety have taken up Haydon’s Imperial Mass, better known perhaps as the third Mass, and intend producing it at an early date, I hope to see them take tip during this year one of the late cantatas which, while affording light, sparkling music, which can easily be mastered by their members, and well within their resources, is jet of a character well deserving the time necessary for their production. It is useless to disguise the fact, that we have no soloists capable of taking the parts in the heavier works to render them as they should be done. The choruses we can do, but the difficulty has been, and still is, to obtain solo voices, a mistaken idea prevailing in musical circles that we should do nothing but the works of the great masters, when it is obvious to any one who has paid any attention to the subject that we are unable to render them for reasons above stated. It would be far better for us to accept the position and give works well within our resources, than to strive at any impossible ideal and fail to realise it. Madame Goddard will be in Christchurch shortly, but her visit will, I understand, be but a brief one, her engagements in America preventing any lengthened stay. She will come via Hokitika, and it is more than probable will open her New Zealand campaign in Wellington. I need hardly express a hope that all lovers of music will take the opportunity of hearing so renowned an exponent of the highest class of music while she remains amongst us. The Opera Company have announced their farewell season, opening on the 2nd November. Their arrival will I know be gladly welcomed by many who, from a variety of causes, have been unable recently to patronise our public amusements. The Northern papers speak of the great improvement noticeable in all the principal artistes , and I have no doubt we shall recognise it here. When they were here before, the change from Victoria had very prejudicially affected all the voices, but this has disappeared. To their repertoire they have added since their last visit Gounod’s “Faust,” Floutow’s “Martha,” Rossini’s “ Cinderella,” Donizetti’s “Lucretia Borgia,” and Verdi’s “II Trovatore.” With five new operas and the eclat of new dresses the season ought to be a successful one. The opening opera will be Balfe’s “ Satanella,” one of the most charming of Miss May’s impersonations alike as regards her singing and acting, both being excellent;.Mr Hallam and Mr Bainford also made a success in their respective parts, so that the company may be said to make their re-appearance under the most favorable auspices. I think I can promise them a warm welcome on the occasion of their opening. ■ 9 CROTCHET.