MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5558, 8 April 1905, Page 12

MUSIC

(BY “G” STRING.) Tho authorities of tho Public Library in Christchurch have done a sensible thing in voting X'lo towards the establishment of a musical section in the circulating branch. It is proposed that works in the musical section should be lent out on the same ternus as other books in the circulating department, and a special committee has been appointed to purchase music. When does the Uellington City Council propose to do likewise f Tho Wellington Piano Company is arranging an excellent series of concerts under tho direction of Mr Robert Parker. A selected orchestra has been retained, and it is intended to keep tho members together for tho whole scries. Miss Buckmann (a soprano soloist, who has sung with great success at important concerts in Birmingham) has been engaged for tho first concert next Saturday. Mr Frank Graham, who sang in tho Town Hall in December lust with so much brilliancy, has also been engaged. Miss Edith Kirkwood, the soprano of tho concert company which Mr Watkin Mills is bringing to tho colonics next mouth, is of Irish lineage, .but was born at Secunderabad, India, where her father, Surgeon-Major Kirkwood, was stationed. Her mother was tho daughter of the late General Pottingor, C. 8., R.A. Miss Kirkwood studied tho violin at the Dublin Royal Academy of Music, and then spent three years at the Berlin Imperial Consorvatorium. There she took up singing, and has sine© successfully followed the career of a concert and oratorio vocalist. Miss Gertrude Lonsdale, the contralto of tho party, was born in London. She is a granddaughter of tho celebrated Hungarian prima donna. Mine. Loitner. Tho new tenor is Mr Harold Wilde, who studied in London at the Rojml Academy of Music under Gustave Garcia, and was tho principal soloist in Bach’s “O .Light Everlasting” at tho oratorio festival conducted by Dr - Hans Richter at Blackpool. The pianist will again be Mr Parlovitz, who made so favourable an impression during rhe previous tour. When interviewed in London recently by a representative of the “Daily Chronicle,” Mr Watkin Mills spoke enthusiastically of Mr Alfred Hill, of Auckland, formerly of Wellington. Ho said he had discovered a musical genius in one of tho British colonies he visited. “When X was in Auckland,” said Mr Mills, “I heard a comic opera entitled 'Tapir.’ tho story of which related to the Maoris. The composer was a young man named Alfred Hill, for whom X predict a very brilliant future. Since the days when Sullivan was in his prime I have never heard a work combining so much originality with melodiousness as ‘Tapu. J ” Miss Nora McKay, whose violin-playing when she visited Wellington as a member of the Amy Castles Concert Company is well remembered, has been studying at Berlin for about two years. Tho young Queensland violinist speaks very highly of Herr Anton Wieck as “a wonderful player and just as fine a teacher.’"’.

It is stated that Mr Lemare, the lamous organist, is likely to be invited in give a series of recitals on the Melbourne Town Hall organ when it has been renovated. Tho new works and pipes are ou the way out from England. Tho Australian tour of tho distinguished Germans violinist. Professor Hugo Heermann, is to begin next month.

Mi&s Evangeline Anthony, whose violin playing is attracting attention at Home, is nineteen j-oars of age. Hex* first professional teacher was Mr Donald Heins, then fresh from Leipzig, and now professor of the violin at Ottawa Conservatoire. Dor many years Miss Anthony has been, one of tho favourite pupils of August- Wilhelmj, who expresses the highest possible opinion of the young violinist. She has caused immense enthusiasm in Birmingham and other parts of England, and on her first appearance in London won the of tho critics. Another wonder-child is announced—really their number is astonishing. Tho latest is a Russian boy of twelve, Mischa Elman, whose fiddle-playing is said to be far above tho ordinary. At a concert in Hamburg, ho played the D major Concerto of Paganini, and of his performance one critic writes in these glowing terms:—"Every note was there (a few harmonics excepted, on account of a bad B string, which to everybody's joy broke later in the evening). Double stoppings, runs, everything executed to a nicety. When he plays on tho G string it sounds more like a viola or 'cello than a violin." "Whoever has heard Vescey will have an idea of Elman's playing if ho imagines Vcscey with all his advantages a little riper, or so to say, manlier, in tone and expression," says a Hamburg paper. At tho finish everybody went to the front to see him near, and applauded and called and stamped, so that he gave three encores, which hi> audience heard standing round the platform. At a second concert similar scenes of enthusiasm were witnessed.

Tiio production in June at His Majesty's Theatre. Auckland, of Mr Alfred Hill's new comic opera promises, says “Musico Dramaticus," to bo a most interesting, event in more senses than one. Primarily, of course, there is the fact that this original work of two local people will be submitted for th© first time in their own city. This, too, owing to the gratifying support of 50 of their follow townspeople, who have guaranteed the whole of the expense. A glance at the cast, which I give below, will also serve to reveal other interesting features, including th© first appearance in Auckland in opera of Madame Lilian Tree, and th© reappearance of two old Pollardian favourites. The principals engaged are as follow: Madam Lilian Tree, Mrs Ernest Davis (formerly Miss Marion Mitchell), Mrs Charles Phillips (formerly Miss Cissy Sanford), Miss Lucie Bhrenfried, Messrs M. Hamilton Hodges, H, B. Coney, Geo. Warren A. Coney, end S. Fort. The tenor role is the only one remaining unfilled, but it is probable that it will bo taken up by Mr Ted Hill, of Wellington, the composer's brothel’. The opera is now in active rehearsal, both by principals and a chorus of about 50 voices. Mr Geo. Warren is stag© manager, and his inventive talent is proving invaluable in th© direction of initiating the necessary "business" and action. Mr Will Diamond is engaged upon special scenery for the production, and has already turned out some particularly handsome sots. Work has also been commenced upon the dresses, under th© personal supervision of Mrs'Alford Hill. It will thus be seen that every opportunity is to be given to the opera in the direction of cast, mounting and dressing.