MUSIC, SONG, AND STORY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9391, 2 April 1892, Page 2

MUSIC, SONG, AND STORY.

The heavy downfall of rain about half-past 7 o'clock last night probably prevented a good many people who had it in their minds to spend the evening in the Princess Theatre from fulfilling their intention, but,inevertneless, a large audience assembled to welcome Mr Snazelle upon his first appearance in Dunedin, and it was noteworthy, as indicative of the class of people to whom such an entertainment as that which was provided appeals, that the most largely patronised portions of the house were the highest priced, all the best seats in the dress circle being occupied, and the stalls were crowded toexcess. The]entertainment, which is entitled " Music, Song, and Story," is one that has large claims to the support of the public, though, as Mr Snazelle himself intended it should be, it has especial attractions for the educated portion of the community It is a distinctly high class entertainment, it is admirably varied, it is unique, and those who patronise it may depend upon spending an enjoyable and profitable couple of hours. Mr Snazelle is assisted by Miss Snazelle and Mr Henry Hawkins, and the latter opened last night's programme by the performance, on the piano, organ, and bells simultaneously, of an arrangement by himself of "Melodies of Scotland," introducing a few of the most popular Scottish airs. Mr Hawkins' playing proclaimed him to he an accomplished musician, and the overture, in which the introduction of the bells produced a striking and pleasing etfect, was highly appreciated. At a later stage of the evening -mx Hawkins played on the piano and organ a selection, arranged by himself, of airs from "Maritana" (Wallace), and the accompaniments and incidental music throughout the evening were performed by him in a sympathetic and charming manner. Miss Snazelle, who possesses a soprano voice of good quality and serviceable range, contributed two songs and a pianoforte solo, the latter being Ascher's " Alice, where art thou?" Of the two songs, that in which Miss Snazelle achieved the greater measure of success was " She wore a wreath of roses," this favourite ballad of Knight's being sung with great taste and expression. The other was Pape's setting; of Lord Tennyson's poem "The Brook," and the song was illustrated by scenic effects, depicting a river from its source to its mouth. The dissolving views which Mr Snazelle has with him are beautiful examples, and some of the best that were exhibited were illustrations of the beauties of the river Thames, these being given as the second item on the programme. A number of beautiful views were placed on the canvas, bringing before the audience some of the most delightful spots on the Thames. The final picture of this set that was shown was a representation of Windsor Castle. While these charming news gave employment to the eye, selections' of old English songf, such as " Home, sweet home," " My pretty Jane," and " Tell me, Mary, how to woo thee," plaj'ed by Mr Hawkins, engaged the ear. Mr Snazelle's first personal contribution to the programme consisted in his rendering of the old song "In sheltered vale," and by way of illustration a scene near Newcastle-on-Tyne, with a mill-wheel effect, was displayed. Mr Snazelle has a singularly jf agreeable bass voice, which he uses withouJr effort, and he enunciates every word with perfect distinctness. A recitation—" The old clock on the stairs" (Longfellow), with incidental music by Sir Julius Benedict—followed, and after it Mr Snazelle gave Weiss'old song, "The village blacksmith." The scenic illustrations of this song commenced with a representation of the village smithy "under a spreading chestnut tree," and then were shown views' depicting the brawny smith standing at the door, and the children, returning from school, gathering round the smithy. To the ringing of chimes a scene representing the village church was displayed, and it dissolved into one of the interior of the church, with the smith sitting " amongst his boys," the effect here being heightened by the strains of " The old hundredth" suug by an invisible choir. The song, with its illustrations, met with very general applause. A few views depicting "The Rock of Ages" were next shown, and these naturally led up to Mr Snazelle's singing of Gounod's " Nazareth," with spectacular effects, representing the village of Nazareth, the adoration of the shepherds, the adoration of the Magi, "The shadow of the cross" (from Sir Noel Paton's"painting), "The hill of Calvary" (from a painting,by Correggio), "The empty cross and night of angels" (from a painting by Rubens), "The eternal morning star" (from a paint:ngby Michael Angelo), and " The light of the world " (from Holman (Hunt's masterpiece). The views that were exhibited in connection with the song "Nazareth" were remarkably fine, and when the reproduction of Holmau Hunt's work was thrown upon the canvas the audience were unable to restrain their enthusiasm but broke in upon Mr Snazelle's interpretation of the song. The second part of the entertainment was almost entirely devoted to humorous selections, and it is in them that Mr Snazelle is particularly happy. The song "Old Simon the Cellarer" was rendered by him with admirable effect, and in the buffo song " Michael's Adventures at the Wars," taken from Balfe's opera of "The Siege of Kochelle," and declared to be the quickest song in the English language, he was quite as successful. It is as a raconteur, however, that Mr Snazelle excels. This was demonstrated in the two " yarns" of his that he "worked oif "on his audience. The first of the " yarns," which he gives under the name of "The Whistler," sent the house into roars of laughter, and the other, which is an account of "How Bill Adams won the battle of Waterloo" (as related by Bill Adams himself), needs to be heard to be appreciated—it is "spun" with splendid effect. A humorous recitation, entitled " The Novel Writer," by Mr Snazelle himself, was a very amusing skit based upon the sensationalism in fictions of the present day. A set of splendid views of statuary, selected from the Vatican, the Louvre, Florence, and other continental centres of art, were exhibited, and finally a series of comic illustrations, from the German of Professor Lizst You Bulow Rubinstein's pianoforte recital, sent away the audience in the best of good tempers with themselves and in a high state of satisfaction with Mr Snazelle. The same programme will be presented this " evening. _^_____ "