MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5134, 28 November 1903, Page 11

MUSIC

NOTES BY G STRING. (From tho "New Zealand Mail.’’) Tho visit cf Miss Ada Crossley lias been of course the great event cf this week. Mins Crossley is undoubtedly the most expressive singer heard in Wellington for many a day. Hor voice is not of such heavy calibre as tho voices of other contraltos who have been heard hero—itho lato Madame Raney’s, for Instance, or Madamo Marion Burton’s, but Miss Cross ley's is intensely sympathetic in quality, and even in tone throughout, and best of all, it is managed with superb taste and judgment. Miss Ada Crossley is too groat an artist to descend to tricks of display; sho singH within the compass of her voice, and with absolutely faultless method. In her manner, she absolutely lives in the song she is singing, and jiourtrays its every emotion with the utmost fidelity. In tho purely technical domain of hor work, she also possesses every qualification for tho great singer. It is indeed a treat to hear such singularly clear enunciation, such just phrasing and such complete, control of tho medium voice. Miss Crosslcy’s charming personality, moreover, enables hor to win her way at onco to tho hearts of the audiences.

bliss Crossley is assisted by an excellent company. Mr Jacques Jacobs is one of tho best violinists ever heard in this country; He studied under Dancla, at tho Paris Conservatoire, having won a place in the famous school at tiro ago of nine yeans. On leaving the CouKdVvatoiro ho joined tho famous Lam on reux orchestra, and shortly afterward took lessens from Christian Timmner, the celebrated Dutch virtuoso. Ho was also a pupil of Dr. Joachim. Mr W. A. Poterkin is a refined singer with an excellent bass voice, end Mr Percy Grainger, tho youthful pianist, is undoubtedly a musician with . a future awaiting him. As for Herr Bonno Schorek, the mulsical director, his name is sufficient to ensure the success of any work with which it is associated. Mr Mark Hamhpurg was to give a recital at St. James’ Hall, London, on November 38'ch.

At latest advices Madame Ella Bussell was to undertake a provincial tour of twenty-five concerts, beginning at Nottingham. Her repertoire includes a new dramatic scene, “Adonais" (words from Shc-lley’s Elegy on the Death of Keats), specially composed by Mr London Ronald for the popular prima donna. Tho artists chosen to asist heir are Mile. Rosa Olitzka bliss Muriel Elliot, Messrs John Coates, Maris Hale, Louis Pecski, and Hamilton Hartv.

Tho concert given to Master Victor Harris by the Ladies’ Club, at Masterton was very successful, according to tha local newspaper. Tho features of tho evening, it is stated, was the violin-play-ing of Master Harris, who gave Raff’s “Tarantella," a setting of “Alice. Whero Art Thou?" an allegro by De Beriot, tho intermezzo of "Oavalleria Busticana,” and "Homo, Sweet Home.”

Tho continual piracy of popular music at Homo has led one musical firm, at all events, to, take measures for the protection of the trade. Mr Day has decided to issue sixpenny editions of the compositions most in favour. Some time ago ha proposed to his brother publishers to issuo, cheap editions of music, in the same way as the book trade issues cheap editions of the most popular novels. Tho suggestion was not, however, adopted. So Mr Day has determined to, "go alone.” The first editions will be published at the usual nominal price of two shillings, but in every case where a song shows signs of winning a wide popularity a sixpenny edition will bo issued to meet the demand. To show how_ the “pirates” have cut into the trade, it may bo mentioned that pirated copies of "Soldiers of the Queen” were sold to tho number of ono million, whilst the publisher of that song sold only one hundred thousand copies. Miss Madeline Boyle, in a letter from London, states that she has begun her studies with tho eminent pianist Herr Liebling. According to the “Australasian," tho proposal for the renovation of the Melbourne Town hall organ is once more shelved. In conformity with an arrangement made when Mr Edward Lemaro was in Melbourne, tho Austin Organ Company of America, had offered to undertake the whole work, subject to the supervision of Mr Lemare, for, the sum of .£3450. The report of the Public Works Committee of tile City Council recommended .that this offer should be accepted, and, further, that Mr Lemaro should he engaged for the honorarium of X4OO, to opm the renovated instrument with a series of recitals. His engagement by tho Sydney oivio authorities, it may bo mentioned in passing, resulted in a sub stantial profit. After considerable discussion tho. report was returned to the committee for reconsideration. There the matter seems likely to rest until further notice-.

A once famous opera singer. Mine. Si-ollz, who created “La Laydied recently at the Hotel Bellevue, in the Avenue de I’OperarParis, in her eightyeighth year. She was horn in 'tpaiu on February 13, 1815, and made her first appearance as a concert singer at the Paris Conservatoire in 1829. In 1883 she madi a tour of Belgium and Holland, and ner first important polo in opera was at the Theatre do la Monnaie, in Brussels. Her success there led to an engagement at the Paris Opera. She appeared in (he clairactor of Desdemona. Marie Stuart, and Ascano, in "Benvenuto Cellini,’’ and ■usually took the favourite role of Leonor, in "La Favorite.” Madame Lillian Nordica is now in America, and is to remain there until December, when she will visit Berlin to sing at the Royal Opera House. Miss Lilian Fomas, the violinist who is to visit the colonies next year, is, Mr J. Novin Tait says, a brilliant and artistic player. Miss Cottlow, the New York pianist, who was thought: of for Australasia. has (says tile "Sydney Morning Herald”), written to say that she is definitely hooked in America until next July, hut could leave then. Mr Tait will i accordingly have to defer th'o visit, as at that time Paderwski will be touring Australia- Mmo. Melba’s fortune-mak-ing experiences on this side has given stellar divinities of less importance an exaggerated idea-'of tha potentialities of concert emlterpTise here, and Mr Tait found it impossible to de business with any of them. Mile. Blanche Marches! wanted .£2OO a concert and half the receipts. and Mine.,Calve expected 12,00fff a concert for 40 concerts —nearly .£20,000. Madamo Adelina Patti will not come to Australia, and thinks that her present tour of tho United States at JJIOOO a concert and extras will he the last she will care to undertake. However, Mr Tait arranged with Kubelik’s manager for an Australian tour in 1905. The star violinist is regarded as "a certain boom." Mr Tait is also corresponding for tours with Miss Margaret M’lntyro, operatic soprano, and Harold Bauer, pianist. The story of how Choptn composed his wonderful Funeral March is related by M. Ziom, the celebrated painter, who still lives on the heights o? Montmartre, Paris, and despite bis great ago is clear in his recollections of the facts that occurred over half a century ago. Ziem was tho friend and comrade of Chopin, and it -was in the former’s studio that a Bohemian repast was given, with ’Lndre, De Polignnc, the musician, Ricaird, the painter, Chevandier do Valdrome, and Chopin-, as gay and festive spirits around the table. There was an old ricketty piano in the comer, all the panels having been taken out for pictures, as Ziem was poor, and had to economise. _ Behind a curtain was a skeleton, and this gave an idm to Ziem, who brought tho skeleton out, covered it with drapery, and began to agitate it with realistic effect. De Folignao .then took tho skeleton to tho

piano, and sat with it as though to make it play. It watq at this moment that Chopin, who had been rathe- quiei, was seized with sudden inspiration. Uttering an' ejaculation,he rushed forward to tlupiano, unshed aside De Polignac, and to t'nl> stupefaction and awo of his frionc.s. improvised tho world-famous iuneral March. “Wo were all extremely touched.” added Ziem, ’and dead silence reigned. Wo thought no more of laughter, and saluted with respect an admiration the composer's now erection."