MUSIC NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7451, 27 May 1911, Page 6

MUSIC NOTES

(By “A Flat/ 1 ) 1 have received from tho Dresden a volume of delightful little songs composed by Hr Nelson Illingworth, a very promising young musician of Sydney, and son of Mr "Illingworth, sculptor, of Wellington- A sentimental song entitled "Absence” is set to anonymous words, as is also a bright trifle called "Once Bit, Twice Shy/* A berceuse, of which the words are by Fred J. Broomfield, is particularly bright and tuneful, and the composer has invented' a suitable air for a slumber song written by A, ID. SiddalL "I’m a Rover” (words by George Darley) and a guitar song "How Shall Wo Flee Sorrow” (Victor Hugo), servo to show the composer’s versatility, and there is a charming item "Lassie with the Lips sae Rosy,” the words by Heine and translated by Sir Theodore Martin. Of more serious character than the rest is an andantino ballad entitled "Supplication,” in which words by Sir Thomas Wyat are fitted to music both < pleasing and appropriate. The album Is inscribed to Madame Grace , Miller Ward (wife of Mr Hugh J. Ward), one of Sydney’s favourite vocalists. It is quite evident that Mr Illingworth—who, by the way, is in intimate association with Mr Alfred Hill—will bo heard of again.

Not long ago it was suggested by a few members of the Wellington Musical Union that it had reached its limit of useful life, but the great majority were in favour of continuing the work. The result was a determinatipn to make a special effort to 1 secure new subscribers and. singing members, and a considerable amount of success has already been achieved. Sixty new subscribers have already been obtained, mostly as a result of the efforts of the president, Mr G. Shirtcliffe. There has also been an acquisition to the chorus, in which thirty voices are required to bring it up to the normal strength of two hundred. The union is thus rapidly gaining its old vigour, and proving that Wellington is quite capable of supporting the work of two choral organisations. Dvorak’s "Spectre’s Bride” is being rehearsed for the,concert mi June 16th, and the soloists engaged are Miss Newman (soprano), Mr E. J. Hill (tenor), and Mr Barry Coney (bass), of Auckland.

Says the "Westminster Gazette’* of March 29th: —Although the-opera season at Covent Garden does not open until Saturday, April 22nd, the preliminary list of subscribers, headed by their Majesties the King and Queen, is longer than usual, and the demand lor boxes and stalls still continues. Great, preparations are in progress for the Coronation gala performance, which will take place on Monday, June 26th. This will be the sixth gala .performance given under the present management. An elaborate scheme of decoration is being worked out, and the directors are drawing up a programme, to be submitted for his Majesty’s approval, which will include the full strength of the company. In fact, the management announce their resolve to eclipse all previous '‘performances of the same order. - Herr Bronislaw’ Hubermam, who was hehrd. at the Queen’s Hall, London, a few weeks ago, supplies an instance of a prodigy who has fairly fulfilled the promise of his youth, since though he made his first appearance in knickerbockers .he is now undoubtedly to be reckoned among the most gif tea artists of the day. Itecently lie gave an admirable account of Brahms’s violin concerto at an. orchestral concert. While his tone is said to be not remarkable for its volume, it is very pleasant in quality, his technique is equal to all demands upon it, and, above all, he plays always as an artist as well as a virtuoso.

Princess Christian and her daughter. Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, took part as choristers in a performance of Bach’s Mass in B minor, which was giveai in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, bv the London Symphony Orchestra. Sir Walter Pa mitt, Master of the King’s Music, conducted.

The annual conference in connection with the university public examination in music was held in Melbourne last week, at which . representatives of the universities of Melbourne, Adelaide, Tasmania, and Queensland were present. The “Argus” states that the scheme for the union of all the universities of Australia_ and New Zealand in the conduct of this branch of educational work has this year advanced a further step by the inclusion of the universities of Tasmania and Queensland. The deliberations of this conference is to result in the earlier issue of the syllabus and other arrangements calculated to increase the efficiency of the scheme, and make the examination of greater value both to students and teachers of music in the States affected.

Mr Ivan Caryll and Mr C. M. S. McLellan's new musical comedy, “The Pink Lady," which London may expect to see shortly, details the adventures of a young Parisian bachelor. On the eve of liis marriage he plans a farewell luncheon at a restaurant in the forest of Compiegne. Ills fiancee selects the same restaurant for a party of her own; and all sorts of complications are the outcome of the unexpected meeting. The wife of the restaurant-keeper is kissed by * Parisian Beau Erujamel of supernatural accomplish meats. She instantly becomes a great beauty; and the company hurry off' to Paris to meet such a famous character and invite him to a ball which they aro about to give at Tabarin. An old and supremely respectable curio dealer is identified, by mistake, as tbe mysterious beau; and further entanglements result when he is bribed to carry on tbe deception. At the ball, however, everything is explained; and the curtain falls upon a gorgeous stage display.