KUBELIK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13782, 22 June 1908, Page 6

KUBELIK.

AN .' INTERVIEW. VIOLINS OF GREAT PRICE. KCBEtIK, the world's most famous violinist, arrived in Auckland fart night on board the Mokoia. The first impression of the great virtuoso which fell to the crowd gathered on the jetty was that of a short, slim, darkcomplexioned young man 'leaning; against the rail and apparently enjoying some excellent joke. Held in the long white hand that the London underwriters have insured for a sum of £10.000 was a piece of rope, and with this Kubelik was busily engaged in teasing his wife, Countess O.aky-Czell, and another lady friend. He was almost the first passenger to step on" the boat, and a few minutes later was being driven along Queen-street to ids hotel. Speaking later to a representative of the Hekaxo, Kubelik said that he had been looking forward to his visit, to Britain's colonies with the keenest interest. "It my reception here only equals that which I received in Australia I shall go away delighted. I was really surprised at the manner in which my playing was appreciated : bf the Sydney and Melbourne audiences. I I had been told that the people in New Zea- i land and Australia were far more partial to a vocalist, than to an instrumentalist, but I '• am beginning to believe that this is not i wholly true. The Australian audiences certainly take a-man less on his reputation than American or English audiences do. I found that they received me rattier coldly on my first appearance on the platform: then, after I had got through the first movement in a concerto, (he applause broke out, increasing in volume at the conclusion of the second movement, until the demonstration at the end was such as 1 do not remember to have seen. before, surpassing any welcome 1 have ever had in 2£cw York or London. I will never listen again to the statement that music is not understood and appreciated in the colonies as much as it is at Home. Certainly some of the older settlers in Australia had some good violins, for I bought v. beautiful instrument there. I picked it up cheaply in a most unexpected quarter, and on having if valued I found that it was a Strad, and is worth about £1600. " My first purchase in Auckland is to be of New Zealand greenstone, for all over America I was requested by my friends to bo sure and send some to them. J. don't know whether you have so many souvenir hunters here as in Europe, but in that connection I had rather a touching little experience in Adelaide. At the railway station, where 1 was waiting to take my departure for Melbourne, , a little child made her way through deputation of ladies who had come to make a presentation. The little one evidently came from a. family not too well blessed with this world's.goods, but raising Iter voire she said: ' Please, Mr. Kubelik, do give me something as a souvenir.' I rummaged my pockets to find an article suitable, but could find nothing. The whistle blew a moment later, and I thought the, little girl was going to weep, so disappointed did she look. That morning I had visited a local jeweller .and bought a. present for my own little girl, intending to post it to her in time for her birthday; but nobody could have resisted the Adelaide girl's tearful face, and, as I gave the package to her from the window of the carriage, the look of happiness which brightened her countenance supplied [-.with more pleasure than money could buy." In charge of Kubelik's precious violins is a Hindoo, very splendid in his goldtrimmed turban. He. was allowed to land last night, but Mr. Buckingham, Kubeiik's manager, has to appear before, the immigration authorities to give guarantees in connection with his slay in Auckland. Kubelik. it may' be mentioned, will be celebrating his twenty-ninth birthday in a few days' time. He has earned a greater sum of money since his first phenomenal success in London ten years ago than any other concert artiste of his time. Kubelik is a native of Bohemia, a land which lias produced many musical geniuses including Mine. Deslinn, one of the greatest of modern-day prima donnas. His present tour began in New York in November last, and during his journey across the United States he gave ,40 concerts. TO-NIGHT'S CONCERT. . , The concert.• to-night at the Royal Albert Hall promises to prove a, red-letter event in the musical annals of Auckland. •The appearance of Kubelik has been looked forward to with eager interest by those who have been following the career of the artist in Europe and America, and move recently in Australia. The management desires to slate that every effort will be made to secure the comfort of ■ the audience. Fifteen hundred chairs have been,provided, so that everyone, including those in the cheaper parts of the house,' ! will be able to hear the great master under the most comfortable conditions. A special stage lias been built, and scenery will be provided, with suitable furnishings, so that in every way the hall will be quite in keeping with the occasion. The artists assisting the '"star" are Miss Erna Mueller, a mezzo-soprano, who achieved great success in London last season ; Miss. Emily Dyason, a solo pianist of considerable merit; and Heir Ludv.ig Schwab, who, in the opinion of the- Melbourne and Sydney press, is an accomi panist .of very high repute. The box [ plans for reserved seats are now on view : at Wildman and Arey's. The day sales for the 5s tickets are at H.M. Cafe.