AN AMERICAN VISITOR

New Zealand Mail, 5 February 1902, Page 31

AN AMERICAN VISITOR

DR THOAIAS ON THE UNITED | STATES. i EDUCATION AND AIUSICAL DE- ! VELOPMENT. | SOAIE NOTABLE MUSICIANS. i On Thursday afternoon a representative of the “N.Z. Mail” called on Dr C. N. Thomas, the manager of the Boston ; Concert Company, with whom he had a pleasant chat about America, its people, and musical development in the United States during recent years. Dr Thomas, it may. be mentioned, is a graduate of a college in his native State of Illinois, and completed his studies with a two years’ course in philosophy and history in Heidelberg and Berlin Universities, Germany. In speaking of the political conditions in the United States, he said that no doubt President Roosevelt would follow the policy mapped out by Mc- , Kinley. Iu fact, by retaining Presi- ; dent AlcKinley’s Cabinet any other policy would be absolutely impossible. In speaking of the late President, Dr i Thomas said: —“Americans look upon President McKinley as one of the three greatest men America lias produced.” • It is unfortunate, he continued, not , only for the American people, but for : the Anglo-Saxon race, that his noble . career was cut off so suddenly. He was | the man who was bringing the north and the south closer together; yes, and helping to bring the Americans and the English into closer sympathy and unity. There probably never was a man who was so universallj' beloved and admired by the American people as McKinley. “Would you call the American people, Dr Thomas, a- music-loving people “Y’es and no,” was his reply. “Music is the mother of education and development. We Americans speak with pride about our commercial development; yet the advances made iu education and music have even been greater than those in commerce during the past twenty years. Until within the past ten years a first-class concert or operatic company was unknown west of the New England States. The Grand Opera Company, which included the greatest operatic singers of the whole world —Alelba, Nordica, Calve, De Reszke and the Brothers Bisham—spent the last three winter seasons in the States. YVhy? Simply because they can command larger salaries there than anywhere else in the world. The Grand Opera Company, which was backed by New York millionaires, lost fifty to a hundred thousand dollars annually, excepting in the last five years. Since then they made a tour of about i .renty of the larger cities, extending from New Yrnrk to San Francisco. Now, the effect of such tours on musical life by such organisations is far-reaching, and affects the whole nation. Furthermore, a very large number of young Americans during recent years have been going to Europe to the very best schools for tlieir education. The great prosperity in recent years is enabling parents to buy musical instruments and give their children a musical training. However, the most important factor is the teaching of music in the public schools. Until quite recently that was entirely neglected. In many of the smaller places there are musical organisations and clubs, which join in guaranteeing liberal sums to good concert and operatic companies to visit their places. In the United States thousands of people are willing to spend money for highclass musical attractions, and their number is increasing each year, thus rendering it much easier than formerly for managers to engage the very best talent and pay the large salaries demanded by good artistes.” Our representative gathered that the company which Dr Thomas represents consists of the famous Belgian solo violinist, Bernhard Walther. He belongs to the Franco-Belgian school of violinists. His playing has been frequently compared to that of Sarasate. He has toured extensively in the

'States, Great Britain, Canada, Belgium and France. He is a young man, with a great future. The “Daily Post,” erpool, says that “his finish of execiv tion and delicacy of tone are wonderful. After being recalled four times, he played Paganini’s duet on one violin.” Aldlle. Lillian Walther studied in London under the great La Blanche and Shakspear. She is a fair and handsome lady, and her voice is described as a cultivated mezzo-soprano, with a distinctively womanly tone in it that suggests the vibrant tones of Sarah Bernhardt’s speech.

Dr Newton, the humorous impersonator, is a native of California. In his writings there is a child-like simplicity, as in Eugene Field’s best productions, and his humorous recitations have all been written by himself. The Boston Concert Company, after touring New Zealand and Australia, will make a tour round, the world, expecting to spend several months in India, China, Japan and the Philippines.

It may be added that this notable company will give their first concert in the Sydney street schoolroom on Tuesday, the 4th February.