MUSIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6411, 7 January 1908, Page 7

MUSIC.

(By “G” String.) Madamo Clara Butt is to give two aonoDi'ts in Wellington. The dates fixed uro Monday, January 20th, and Wednesday, January 22nd. Her tour of the Commonwealth has been ono of tho most Hiu'cosdfnl over experienced by an artist both from nn artistic and ‘financial standpoint, and it is safe to assume that tho visit to New Zealand will ho m n r ery way just ae successful. In ;e----viuwing her farewell concert in Adelaide a few weeks ago tho “Register” says: Madamo Clara Butt and her concert company made their final appearance at tho Town Hall on Wednesday evening before a house crowded in every part by an enthusiastic audience. In. fiouio respects tho programme was a stronger ono tiiaa its predecessors. It was well diversified, and carried out with such success that almost every item wa» recalled, and ic was nearly 10.30 before tho principals bowed their final acknowledgment:* in response to the applause that followed their duet “Maying.” As her first sole Maritime Clara Butt gavo the line aria “Mon coeur, s’ouvro a ta voix,” from Saint-Saeuss opera “Sameon ot Delilah.” This writing is specially suited to tho famous contralto's unusual gifts of power and wide range, and she naturally scored a sensational success in tho melodious and grateful phrases of tho French master's music. An ovation followed, and Madame Butt added tho familiar air from “Elijah,” “O rest in tho Lord.” Still the audience clamoured for more, and tho contralto obligingly sung tho charming old Italian air, “Caro mio ben.” As her second solo .Madamo Butt presented Liddlo’s setting of “Abide with me,” a number that was obviously welcome to all sections of the house. It was sung with fine power and strong emotional effect, which excited warm demands for more. These were complied with by tho addition of Chamluade's pretty song, “Tho Little Silver Bing.” Madamo Butt and Mr Rumford's closing duet was tho favourite writing “Maying,” by Alice M. Smith, which the gifted duo aang with artistic refinement and admirable expression.

Two old favourites with New Zealand jonoertgoers, Mr Philip Nowbury and kis wife, professionally known as Madfcme Emily Spada, have booked their passages lor Australia by fcho new liner Asturias, which sails for Sydney ou January 22nd. They will b© accompanied hy a concert party.

The London Symphony Orchestra gave Us first concert at the Queen’s liall, under Or Kidder, on November -ith. The audience was large, the programme first-class, and tho performance fully up to tho standard ihusiolovora have com© to expect from tho London Symphony Orchestra, under tho conductorship of Dr llichtcr. Included in tho programme wore two symphonies—Mozart’s “Prague” and Brahm’s Second; Tchaikovsky’s “Borneo and Juliet,” and the Siegfried Idyll.

It was about tho year 1835, when a pianist was giving a round of concerts in tho English provinces. At the little town of X. lie experienced groat disappointment, amounting almost to disgrace. Only seven persons assembled to hear him. However, not in the least disturbed by the sight of so many empty benches, he addressed his “public” jus follows: —“Laditvi ami gentlemen,—! fed greatly honoured by your presence. But this hall is not comfortable; the atmosphere is stifling. If you have no objection. I will have tho piano removed to my, hotel, and there I shall bo happy to* execute tho programme, as announced, before your select company.” The proposal was accepted, and tho musician; regaled liio guests not only with music,.

but with on excellent supper, and iced champagne into the bargain, Next day a placard posted on every wall announced a second concert. What a rush there was this time! Every seat was taken, by an eager and expectant crowd. But now tho artist appeared on the platform, played scornfully two pieces, made his now, un l l departed. Ho never went again to that little town.

A new Suit© for violin and piano by (Miss Ethel Barns, and new songs by L'oleridgc-Taylor, wero heard for the first time at tho Barns-Phiilips chamber concert at Bechetoiu. Hail, London, on November sth.

On Thursday evening, November 7th, the Royal Choral Society opened its season at tho Albert Hall, London, with “Elijah,“ Miss Agnes Nichoiis, Miss Dilys Jones, Mr John. McCormack, ana Mr Thorpo Bates being in tho cast.

It is always pleasant to hear of English talent being recognised abroad. Tho latest instance is tue apxmmtment of Mr Albert Coates, who studied conducting under Herr Nikisch, as assistant conductor at tho Dresden Opera, After completing his studies ho was made conductor at Blberfeld, where he soon attracted attention by tho excellence of his work, with this gratifying result, for there is no doubt that the Dresden Opera is universally regarded ns tho first in Germany. In this connection it may bo mentioned that Mr Landou Ronald recently conducted two concerts in Berlin —ono for tho violincellist, Mr D. Orobio, and the other for the_ young violinist, Efrem Zimbalist, who is some eighteen years old, and a pupil of Dr Leopold Auer. M. Zimbalist. who achieved a sensational success at his first concert in Berlin on November Bth, gave a concert in London, with tho London Symphony Orchestra, on December 'Jth, at which Mr Landon Ronald conducted.

Tho London Symphony Orchestra gave its second concert at the Queen's Hall on November 16th, at which Dr Richter introduced the fourteon-year-old Hungarian pianist, Ernest Lengzel, who played Leis’/.l's E flat Concerto. Also included in the programme was tho newlydiscovered seventh violin concerto of Mozart, tho solo part being played by Miss May Harrison.

Do Lara's “Messalino” has been produced at tho Leipzig Theatre with Herr Urbos and Mr Wnitehill in the cast. Its success does not seem to have been very great.

Mr Eugene d'Alberfc has just celebrated the twenty-fifth anniverary of his first appearance os a pianist in Germany, which took place in the Cologne Theatre.

After Mozart, Beethoven. A violin concerto of Mozart has just been published for the first time by Messrs Broitkopf and Bartel, and now' tho same firm announces tho issue of eleven Viennese Dances of Beethoven for seven instruments. Tho MS. has been found in tho archives of the Thomas Schule of Leipzig and bears no author’s name on it. Dr Ricmnnii is, however, of opinion that tho dances undoubtedly form part of tho sot written by Beethoven in 1819, as a relaxation from tho more arduous work of composing the “Missa Solemnis.”

It is now announced that there is no prospect that Frau Wagner will be well enough to take an active part in the preparations for the next Bayreuth performance's, and the rehearsals will bo made under the direction or Frnu KeussBelcc, the well-known Wagner singer.

Tho opening of (he new St. James's Concert Hall early this year will mark an important step not; only in London’s musical life, but hi the advance of women to an equality with men in mutters arlidic. For tho big modern symohony orchestra, which will play at the promenade concerts to be given there, will bo entirely compos"! of women. Mr Lyell Taylor, formerly assistant conduc-

rtor to tho Queen’s Hall orchestra, who is well-known as tho conductor of the Sunday League concerts, hits organised, tho orchestra, and he Is enthusiastic about it. “London will be surprised at tho excellence of these lady players,” said Mr Taylor to a ‘‘Morning Leader” representative. “Tho orchestra numbers sixty, every one of them of the fair sex. I am judging them by tho standard of tho professional orchestras I conduct. They will bear comparison with any. I have collected these players from ail over the country, and tncy are remarkably enthusiastic. Already wo have rehearsed such difiicult things as Tchaikovsky's symphonies, and I am more than satisfied. Wo are going to play through tho whole of the standard orchestral works at tho promenade concerts. There will be a concerto every night, and many novelties are to be brought forward. I have some delightful, but little known, music which is to be heard.” Mr Lyeil Taylor also mentioned another important novelty with regard to the new concerts. In some of them a choir will take part, and operatic selections, etc., will be given. “Taney an orchestra of ladies playing through an act of a Wagner opera!” said Mr Taylor. “But I know they will be able to do it splendidly.” Tne new concerts are to start early in February, when tho hall opens. Tho building will have many now features, and it will bo possible to got luncheons and dinners on the promisee.

The season of grand opera at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, commenced on November 18th with a performance of Cilea's “Adriana Lecouvreur.”

I havo once or twice, in speaking of the disadvantages under which British opera singers labour (says “Staccato,” in tho London “Morning Leader”), pointed out that they have no chances, such as all foreigners havo, of learning their business. Not only are their chances of hearing opera restricted unless they happen to live within easy reach of Covent Garden, but there is no ono to teach them. This has been forcibly brought home to me lately by the experience of an artist who has been studying Wagnerian roles. He went for a time to one of the best dramatic coaches in London, but as this gentleman knows no German, and has never seen the “Ring,” it is no disrespect to say that the instruction received was not of much, value. Similar disappointment befalls those who are learning the Italian repertoire, As far as regards instruction in the music London is a.* weu iu'u..*aui as any city in the world, but it is tho stage routine that it is impossible to learn. This is the more important in London, as there is less opportunity of learning it during rehearsal than there is in tho Continental theatre. The moral of it all is that if any operatic artist of varied stage experience would settle in London and undertake to conch young singers for the operatic stage ho or she would probably find more than enough work.

Mischa Elman, who is at present touring tho principal towns of Germany, a tour of America about tlie middle of February.

More discoveries of forgotten MSS. of groat composers. Tho lalest addition to the list is Wagner’s early opera, “Dio Ifochzeit,” written in 1832 in Prague. Tho composer destroyed nearly the whole of tho score, but some parts were lost. Those sheets came into the possession of Mrs Burrell, who left them to her daughter, Mrs Hcnniker Heaton. Dr Richard Batka Ls editing them for a German review. Tho plot is thus described by Wagner: “A youth, mad with passions, climb© to the window of his friend’s betrothed where she is awaiting her lover. The two struggle, and he falls into tho courtyard, where ho is clashed to pieces. At the funeral tho bride fulls dead with a cry over his corpse/' One might suggest e? a motto for this lurid tale: “’Twns all very well to dissemble your love; but why did you throw me downstairs ?* 9