Music and the Drama.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 11 March 1882, Page 19

Music and the Drama.

For I am nothing, if not critical. The man that hath not music iv himself, Lot no such man be- trui'trd.

— Shakhijpkaht»,

H^ATEIOAL & MUSICAL tfOM.

By Puck.

{Contributions from the Profession chronicling their movements aiid doings are respectfully invited.]

Interprovlncial.

Harry Power, with his " band of rosthetes," as he terms them, has got as far as Invercarglll. His company consists of Mddlo. Lolo de Gloriau, Miss Amy Leslie, Mr Julian Langtrey, and himself. Tho troupe is styled the " Party of Sunflowers and Character Impersonators," and thoy appear in an entiroly novel entertainmont writton expressly for them, entitled " Bustle and Bounce." Mr Harkins was to have opened at Auckland on Monday with " The Colonel." The " Royal Middy" had a fair reception at Cbristchuroh.

Concerning tho failure of the Harking season in the , cathedral city, the Canterbury Times expresses sorrow for the manager who deserved bettor luck after tho pains 'he took. It moralises thus:— "Tho fact, is people want to be amused, to which end novelty is above all things necessary. Onedose of the legitimate lasts a long time, and Miss Pomeroy surfeited the public with Shakespeare, of which they had enough to last them many months. "The Colonel " was certainly a novelty in one respect, but the plot was thoroughly old, and we daresay the language was a little above the habitues of the pit. To draw good houses here now it is pretty evident that pieces must be both new and amusing, and the lighter tho bettor. iPeoplo want to bo entertained, not to have to sit in 'judgment ; they leave that to Dunedin, where apparently the inhabitants are never so happy as when they can get up a good rousing fight on the merits or dements of an actor, singer, or even lecturer." Of course, the italics arc my own. Tho Austrian Band's concerts at Oamara were enjoyed by the townspeople very much. Mr Walpolo's experience is similar te that of Lev^, the cornctiat, when ho paid Milton a visit. The outside crowd ho ird quite as well as those who paid for admission. The Mail became quite ecstatic, concluding a very eulogistic notice thu*ly :— " When tho " Blue Danube," in its , crystal flood of popular strains, burst upon the audience, they (the few who paid for admission) looked at. each other approvingly, and mentally folded ' their arms to imbibe the metaphorical, translucent, trickling, plashing, foaming, dashing pool and tyrrent." Car.y'B juveniles are on the road again. Lost heard of at Rangitikei. Walter Hydes is travelling with Herman, tho ventriloquist, and J. Gardiner has joined the Zulu War as agent, vicn W. A. Price, who got into trouble at Christchurch through disregard of the laws of meum and tuuiru.

The Williamsons opened in Wellington in " Struck Oil" to a capital house, considering the weather Mr Jonkyns ia agent. The company disband at tho conclusion of the season there. Mr H. Vincent goes to Sydne.t to assume the position of stage manager for Williamson, Garner, and Co.'s dramatic ventures.

Montagu Browne will be business manager for Dunning and Co.

W. H. Loake played the part of Simon Legree in the Mastodon MiDstrelb' production of " Uncle Toiu'u Cabin " at Auckland. Mr and Mrs Rede have joined Wilkinson's Comedy and' Burlesque Company, now in the Wellington country districts. . My Auckland correspondent telegraphs : -The Harkina company are .playing " The .Colonel " to good houses at i the Theatre, tfoyal.— Jem Maco arrived per Rotorua. and jtives, statuesque exhibitions. He is negotiating with DeLlas for a tour through the colony. -A new opera company 1b expected shortly from ' Frisco. ' ' •

The "Plrateß of Penzance" is to be given at the Princess, Dunedin, on Monday next, with a very strong cast. Beaumont as Frederick, Verdi, wbo ought to be tjho beau-ideal of a Pirate King, Vernon as the Major-general, Riccardi as , the Policeman, Forde as Samuelo, Alice Reea aa Mabel, and Andree Novaro as Ruth, ought to be able to present us wi'h an almost absolutely fresh edition of the opera.' ' The following week Mr and Mra Williamson are to resume their original parts of Sergeant Murphy and the piratical maid of all work.

The Livermore (Miss Sara) benefit entertainment at InvercttTglll was, I am glad to notice, 'a 'decided pecuniary success.

"Patience" at tb« Princess Theatre.

Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, that is the rage at present in England and America, is now being.performed at the Prlncesi, Dunedin, by Mr Williamson's opera company, and ivai produced under the immediate supervision of that gontieman himself. My readers are now tolerably f»miliar with the plot and the purpose the opera is designed to serve ; so that being concerned now only with the manner of representation, I can plunge in medias res. When I mention such uunes as those of Alice Reos, Andree Navaro, Armoa Beaumont, Howard Vp.rnon, Forde, Riccardi, and Verdi, who constitute the strength of the company, they will be accepted, I , think, as guarantees that ao far as singing and action go the representation can wont nothing. Then the scenery and general.get-up fully deserve the high encomiums passed on them by the daily Press, and the applause nightly given to them by the exceedingly large audiences who have collected to witness the opera. In keeping with the reforms behind the curtain, the management have effected several improvements in front, which have greatly tended to comfort and convenience Indeed it is dow quite a pleasure to go to the Princess. You can pass the evening in abrlght, cheerful, well-vontilated house. The change is substantial and perceptible. It only wants the substitution for the hideous drop curtain of something that can be considered other than a daub, and there would be nothing to grumble about in front of the footlights. lam pleased to be able to record that .Mr Williamson's enterprise has baen rewarded with full houses ever Bince the 'cason began. It is evident that all these attentions are acceptable to the music-loving portion of the community. I may add that the attendants are civil and obliging, ami, although there have been crushes more than once, all have found soats without confusion or delay. The' action of the opera opens with a pretty scene repre-enting an exterior view of Castle Bunthornc. This and the set in act 2 (a glade) are from the brush of Mr W. Grist, of Melbourne, and are highly effective scenes. Place aus dames. Miss Alice Kees, who is, I .believe, a native of Australia, and received her musical education in Victoria, is really a charming singer. She is still very young, but her voice is sweet and powerful, and she sings with taste. She is admirably suited to the character of Patience, the rustic milkmaid. Miss Navaro is a good actiess, and, ! as Lady Jane, has a part that she appears to revel In. ' Her accompaniment on the violoncello is one of the most amusing things ever introduced into an opor.v Mr Beaumont has baen in splondid voice, and the, introduced song in the first act -the composition by ; the way of the talented conductor— he (rives with as much taste and expression as when I heard him 10 years ago. His voice has lost little of its sweetness. Mr Riccardi, as tho Colonel, wan wtll cast, and it is scarcely requisite to add that all ho does is well done. The "Patter Song," as sung by him, is simply immense. Mr Verdi'a flue organ and physique are equally admire.-!, but tho former does not get full play. Mr Howard Vernon has evidently made a deep study of the part of the fleshly poet. A better representative could hardly be found in these parts. Nightly he receives the compliment of a double encore lor bis duct with Lady Jane in the Hceoml act—" So go to him, and say to him " This duo ia intensely amusing, and the oftener you hear it the more are you disposed to lamrh. His every attitude and his every action uro studies, and you see at once that a veritable Mau lie. hiis been found Mr Forde, who plays the Majoi h undoubtedly a useful man. {'hough nebnaonlyasni.il) pait, ho makucshU |jro-n,nceonthefcta{>ofelt,aijd I doui.>i> not he will .vet have an opj ortunity of showing us the extent ot his versatility. Tho choius are strong aiul decidedly effective. All of them seem to posse is cipable voices; and they perform their work capitally. The orchescia, uutier the baion of Siimor Gionsa, und led by Mr Trenmgila, are well qualified to do their work. In flu", the opera at all points in given «it>3 a degree of completeness never before attempted in l>unedin. That tho public think bo U evidenced by the fact that the attendance continues to be satisfactory to tho management. Last Friday, not a seat w.« to be got in any part of the houee after the curtain rose. The arrangements of the management a c such as te compel them to take off " Patience " at the end of this week. I therefore earnestly recommend all who bavo not yet seen the oporn to cowe $p town and do go,

Australian.

Herbert Flemmintr is now dubbed Miss Pomeroy'e "private secretary." , „. _ , Miss Ada Ward hid a bumpor house at the Sydney Oper* house on tho occasion ot her benefit, when 'East L\ nne" was played. W. J. Wilson continuos his leaso of the Sydney Opera-honso, whrre Dampior is running Michael Strofioff" to good business. . The Mendelssohn quintette club helo their twelfth and final concert in Melbourne for tho benefit of their ex-businessmana-jcr, Mr James Thynne. There was for once a really good at* emiance. Mr Horace Groomvall now pilots them. They go to Adelaide ; givo a few concerts in Melbourne on their return, and then come to Now Zealand. A privato letter says :-" Ryan is a flret-class violinist, and Giose a 'cellist who will gladden the hearts of such in your colony as like this instrument. He is far and away tho finest playor heard in the colonies." . , , Mr Dewhurst is fulfilling an engagemont at the Royal, Hobart. Dr Sinims, tho physiognomist, has boon lecturing in Hobart. , . , . An influential committee of professionals and amateur*, including Dr Neild, Messrs Uctd, i». Lee, Horz, Siwle, and Sir G. Verdon, has been formed m Melbourne, to produce there tho new oratorio entitled "The Revelation," and composed by tho Rev. Dr Tprranco. Robert 11. Greene, who diod somowhat suddenly at Mebourne on the 20th ult., was for over a quarter of a century connected with the Melbourne Royal, but th oe years ago retired from active occupation. He leaves a grown-up family well provided for Miss Lydia Hastings, a dramatic impersonator from America, is giving readings in Melbourne. i Pollard's children wore playing at Sandhurst at the end of last month. Tho Bijou Theatre (Melbourne) management have put on an adaptation of " Michael Strogoff," the joint work of Messrs J. B. Howe and Basil Henry. The adapters do not appear to have done this work well, a>» it is spoken of as "disjointed and disconnected.' The piece is, however, strongly cast as follows :: — Strogoff, Sir Howe ; Ivan Ogaroff, Mr Cathcart ; Naidor Fedor, Mrs Howe ; tho Governor of Irkutsk, Mr E. Palmer; Sangareo, Mrs Valmer, with Messrs Hans Philips and G. P. Carey as tho two newspaper correspondents. Mr Urlst has painted some very pretty scenery for the piece. Mr A. T. Dunning has suited for England. Ho accompanies Mr Wallaco to Europe in quest of talent for their Melbourne theatres, which opens about Octob r. Mr J. G Joycc'M managerial spec, at Gcolong is not likely to prove a good one. With MrWjbort Kcovo as fetar, and a good company, he failed to do profitable business at the Pivot. The Adelaide papew "wont for" tho Muvgroie Onora Company, to which Mr Musgrove replied through the Advertiser that his troupe wore not the "remnants of the Tambour Major Company." He states that he offered Pattie Laverne £40 a week, with travelling expenses and castumea, but she declined to play under £50, which he rcfu-ed to givo her. Miss Elsa May is piima donna. The Obsorver says that she " Btands almost alone ; the others arc what may be called decent singord, although some can hardly lay fair claim to that." . The "Professor " replaced " Crutch and Toothpick at tho Princobß*. Mulbourno, on February 20fch, and was received with great favour by si crowded hmiso' Tho Age says that; "in point of general dnmatie interesf, rho " Professor " stands about on an equality with " Our Bo>s," " KiiK&ged," and other works of a like calibro Us dialogue is not icmarkable for great brilliancy, yet it possesses BUtficieut sparkle and oriuinalitv to bo highly agreeable if delivered as it is, by a company o! 1 thoroughly ' capablo p!a>eri«, able to makfl the most of slonder material. The aid of another, and one of the most potent stago auxiliaries —the scenic artist— was also skilfully utilised ing.ving a poetic glamour to scenes which might easily be sunk to the dead level of coniinouplace. Mr r>. Gordon's prolific and clever brush has produced three sc6ne3 of surprising beauty. One represents a luxurU' ously decorated lady's' drawing-room of an hotel,' another a romantic sylvan < scene in tbe White Mouii^ tains, and the third Important scene depicts a mountain receßS at ,du*k,.,, The season is .early ißUnimer,, when nature wears itsiinellowest vestu-e, and the air ia laden with a thousand rich perfumes. A'glimpse is 1 given of distant forest-crowned hills ;' and the poetic beauty of the sketch is greatly increased by the introduction of real water in imitation of » tiny rivulet welling from the mountain's side and purling down over stone and brush, losing itself iai the larger stream beneath. The lulling murmur of the streamlet and occasional twitter of a feathered songster were admirably imitated.; indeed, the entire scene is a triumph of 'stage effect; Mr Gordott'wak thrice called before the footlights; and warmly .applaUded." Mr Marshall and Mr Titheradge divide honors. ' ' Mr Alfred Israel, formerly of Duuedin, is associated with Mr'Darbyshiro in tho management of a band of juveniles lately performing at Sandhurst. Darbyahire is stage manager. Israel loojk^af ter the front ,of the house, and J. Ure ii mu-ical conductor. Most ot the children belonged to Mre G.'B,. tdWia' troupe. "Antony and Cleopatra' is drawing crowded houses at Sydney with' Louise Pomeroy and J. B. Steele in the title roles. The piece has been exceedinsrly well-mounted. ' The Mervin valedictory nwtinee at tho Royal, Sydney, was a success. A mixed programme wa« presented, and the benoficiaro was assisted by the leading members of the profession in Sydney. i v , ,

Home and Foreign. ■ <■;<■''■

It is now certain that Mr Irving and Mls« (ElioU Terry will make a tour of America, after the close of tho present season. They go to Booth's thbatre. Mi 1 George Rignold, tho actor, was to sail for ' Melbourne on January 26, and will open there in' the !' Lights of London," Air G. R. Sims', successful drama, which, on January 13 had been played for over 100 nights at the' Princess Theatre. Mr Frank Towers is about to make a Colonial trip with Mr Soudarnoro'fl melo-drama "Fighting Fortune," which will be played by a company lately iv course of organisation in London. It is prophesied by playgoers that Mm Langtry will be an good as a gold--nino to the Bancrofts. The boxoffice has beon crowded daily ever since her reappearance has been announced. Th«re is a little surprise in store for Mrs Langtry 's hostile critics at her groat success. Mr and Mrs Bancroft must be dolghted with the abusive comments on their idiocy in engaeing a real lady to act with the Haymarket Company. The critics differ considerably in their opinions as to Mrs Lantrt-y's histrionic abilities ; some say she will never make an actress, while others .admit that with some good provincial practice she may do after a while. Her not being a professional actress has caused great jealousy amongst theatrical people. i Morning performances of "She Stoops to Conquer," with Mrs Lang ry as the heroine, will shortly be given. The Queen has commissioned M. Gounod to compose the nuptial march for orchestra and organ on the occasion of the marriage of Prince Leopold with the Princess Helena of Waldeek. Frau Materna goes to America in April and gives sixteen concerts there, for which she recoives 20,000 florins and all expenses. Salvini has been induced to study the part of King Lear, which will be one'of his chief roles in London , ''next season. Emma Nevada, tho American young lady who w>a • so coldly received by tho Londonors two yoars ago, has made a great hit in Italy as Amiiia in " Sonnambula " At the Scala, Milan, she sang in Bellini's opera for ,twenty-five consecutive n'ghts. Madame Sninton -Dolby, who for so many years wivs the great contralto i-ingev in oratorios and concerts in England, has conn loted a third cantatu. The libretto is one of Hans Christian Andersen's stnriea, which has been translitod into elt'g nit verse by Mr Joseph Bonnett. The musical portion is considered a great advance upon tho lady's previous works. I Herr Wilhelmj is already announced in English papers as soloist for the symphony concerts to be directed by Mr Charles lla lo Mr Wilhelm Gmz, who, though of Gorman family, ' has for more than a quarter of a century been famous as a piaiiofore teacher and nuoonipnnist in London, has received frm the Emperor of Germany the Order of the Crown of Prussia in acknowledgment of his services to tho various societies for the bcinfit of Germans resident in London. Percy FitzgciaM, i» a cbaotor in "Thoihv" o-i Oilbort'a humour, tell-i ustb.it tho tiue of fnMiiiv illustrated by "The Colo'ici" »:i<l "Patieneu" n^a noi evtMi hh(! merit of iniiu'iiiity. '■ It will ho found," hi 1 ! siiys, "i hit some H>vo;ily years auothtre «aia, «.er- J man ex ti a valance life, ba-e ! on the a:itlietimchoo!, not only a*i absurd ita our own craze, hut actually ot \ tlin same farnilv." Horr Band main appuars to ham been carrying all before him at Calcutta. Crowded houses have been the rule, and tho Cileulm papers wviro in most laudatory terms of the performances. Miss Beaudet made her3elf a utiat f,i\ write Tho will .- i Mr James Akburst, late of George Mansion House, a»d of Lewisham, wo was ic-t at sea in October Insi., on his pussage to Bombay in the Clan MacdufE, has been proved by Mr H. Wood and Mr W, Holmes, the exec itora, the value of the personal estate being over £14,000. The testator leaves legacies to bis brothers, nephews, nieces, exooutors. partner, and others) bis residence, witb the furniture ana

effects, to his daughter, Ada Mary ; four houses to hlfl daughter, Alice Maud ; and four houses anrt an Minuity of £120 to his son, Herbert Gebrge. As to She residue of his property, he gives one-seventh to his eon and tbrce-sevenths to each of his said daughters ; but by the sad drowning of both of the daughter*, who wore in thoClan Macduff with their rather, the gifts to them fail to take effect, and the ■sou will take the whole of the property given to them. A not uninstructive psoudo-literary, pieudo-theatn-cal dispute has been airing itself in the London newspaperd(writestho Age's correspondent). A very successful play was produced at the St. James' Theatre, just before the Chrifitmaa holidays, under the title of "The Squire," in which the interest centres in a young girl, secretly married, and about 'to become a inothor, who finds that her so-called husband has : another wife in existence. On the first night the critics, while recognising the merits of the play, could not help commenting on the strange similarity there was between the story said to be created by Mr Pinero and the incidents in Mr Hardy's novel, " Far from the gladding Crowd." Mr Hardy is as well known a writer of fiction aa any at present extant. On the first blush it appeared that the story had been cribbed wholesale, and those i interested in literary work pointed to the fact »s another illustration of the injustice done to writers in having their ideas openly filched from them without any possiblo means of redress. ' Unfortunately, however, the case did not stop there, and it appeared from the correspondence which eiißued that Mr Haidy had himself arranged with Mr Comyns Carrto dramatise the novel., Mr Corr accordingly prepared Mb play, which was submitted to the managers of St. Jamos' Theatre, and considered, and rejected' by them.' Here matters for the time rested, until at last, without communication with either Mr Hardy or Mr Carr, Mr Pinero's play was produced at the very house which had rejected the authorised version. Whether Mr Carr's or Mr Pinero'd play is the more " actable " it is needless to inquire, but the fact remains that Mr Hardy, who to all intents and purposes is entitled to the credit of designing it, receives no profit and but little glory out of the successful drama which has been produced. Mr Pinoro of courso denies that there is anything more than a "coincidence" in the similarity botween his play and Mr Hardy'a novel. This argument appeals wli h greatest forco to thoso who have seen the play without reading the novel, or have read the novel without seeing the play. Apart from this, however, " The Squiro " is undoubtedly an exceptionally good drama, and one that is not unlikely to MA its way to Australia in course of time. When it does, those who earo for matters of this liind will have the samo, interest in the so-called "mistaken identity" as the British playgoer has been showing during the past fortnight.