Music and the drama.

Otago Witness, Issue 1593, 3 June 1882, Page 24

Music and the drama.

For I am nothing, If not critical. The man that hath not music In himself, Let no such man be trusted.

— SUAKSSPBARB.

THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasquin.

IContributiomfromthe Profession chronicling their moments and doings are respectfully invited.]

I see Mr A. J. Barth, organist of St. Matthew s Church, Rives an organ recital on Monday evemng in aid of the Church Choir Fund. The recital is sure to be well attended, for Mr Barth, besides being looked upon as a first-class pianist, is accredited with possessing extraordinary powers as an organist. The concert given by the Musical Union on Monday evening.laßt, at the Lyceum Hall, was not the success subscribers and the general public expected. The daily papers explain that this was in a measure owing to most of the principal siDgers being absent ; but, be that as it may, I consider the wretched atray of parteonea on the programme which constituted the best Items Klven byUe member* of the Union, as very discreditable to the conductor. There were some enjoyable instrumental selections introduced— notably, a cornet solo, by Mr C. Coombs ; a piano solo, by Miss A. E. Wilson ; and four orchestral items. It Jb to be hoped the Union will give a better account of themselves at their next concert, at which Rossini 8 "Stabat Mater "is to be produced. Mr TowJe'B production of "La Petite Mademoiselle at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, with the assistance of, the Cbristchurch Operatic Society, turned out s great success, notwithstanding the difficulties in the way. In the first act, which represented an encampment of the army about to attack Paris, the admirable ecenery painted by Mr Williams, and the elegant costumes of the soldiery, together with the excellent acting and singing of the chorußes, made this act a decided success. Miss Amy Horton, as La Petite Mademoiselle, evidently had carefully studied her part, *nd her lively acting and tasteful singing at once sot all doubts at rest as to her success. Mrs Towle appeared as the tripe-woman, and divided the honours with Mrs J. M. Thompson (Midame Tabonreau). The ladies were ably seconded by Messrs Davied, Fisher, Farrant, and Towle. In the second act a very novel scene was represented, a wine shop on one side of the stage and a tripe shop on the other, presided over reepectively by Mrs Thompson and Mr Fisher and Mrs Towle and Mr Dombrain. These kept the ball rolling merrily ; and the excellent acting of Miss Amy Horton and Mr Davies thoroughly amused the a-udience till the approach of the Royalist army and the erection of ft barricade across theßtage imparted quite a sensational character to the representation, and brought the B'cene to a close. In the last scene, a salon in thvj Chateau Cameroni, the most laughable part of the opera occurs— the appearance as a fortune-teller in disguise, of the tripe-woman, and subsequently as their physicians, a la Moliere, the Counters' lover, the tavern-keeper, and an officer of the Parisian army being very effective. Of course the representation waa not lree from some hitches, which, however, were all of the, class easily remedied after the first performance; hut notwithstanding, the opera mustbeprooounced an undoubted success. Truly there are vicissitudes in the lives of great men. Years ago Barry O'Neill appeared in the Melbourne theatrical firmament as a star comique, and took Melbourne by storm with the most approved music-hall dittiea. He has figured since in opera and the pure Irish drama, and is now, I am given to understand, spouting Bob Ingersoll's famous lecture, " The Mistakes of Moses," on the West Coast of New Zealand. Charlie Weightman is agent in this new crusade. A Sydney paper informs its readers that Williameon'a profits in Christchurch amounted to nearly £100 a night. This is, indeed, news. Anent "La Petite Mademoiselle," I learn from a Ohristchurch paper that Mr Andrew Davies, who ably performed the part of Manlcamp, has been engaged by Mr Williamson to play in his opera company. Mr Davies goes to Melbourne with Mr Towle to join the 11 Patience " Company on the Ist July.

It Is difficult to know what eulogies to pass upon the mystic genius that constructed "Pomp." This hat venture of the Mastodon Minstrels traces its literary origin to the pen of Mr J. J. M'Closky, and Paul Mertitt's most eccentric work pales when compared with it. The bewildered spectator, vainly trying to collect his faculties, and remember who was shot in the last act, and whose mother-in-law died a fettered slave, is abruptly startled by fresh "sensations," until resignation takes the place of wonderment. I must not forget, however, that the production is spectacular as well as blood-curdling, and a synopsis cf effects and incidents may be interesting. There is the usual plantation scene, with the usual complement of contented coloured people— songs and dances ad lib., of course. There are, then, preliminary explanations (not very intelligible), plot and couuterplot, and the public denouncement of the villain. The latter gentleman brings the curtain down in the first act, with an exciting, although undignified, wrestling match with one of his host's darkies. AVandoo woman, suggestive of Macbeth's witches, has already been introduced as an agent of retribution, and the second act conducts us to her retreat. She is here discovered pleasingly occupied in weaving spells, and lighted by lamps of human skulls. This is weird, and produces a profound sensation in the pit, which is intensified as she falls before an assassin's bullet, and dies to slow music, after renouncing her unhallowed arts. Not satisfied with this trifling act of slaughter, our villain for some occult reason pursues the Greyson family with persistent and murderous intent. But the GreyBon family, like cats, are hard to kill, and after a steamboat has been blown up, and a train wrecked without in any way disturbing their equanimity, the audience begin to entertain hopes of their ultimate survival. These are eventually realised as the wicked Bingham perishes in a violent perspiration after a duel with his hereditary foe. It is only fair to say that this remarkable specimen of the playwright's art was, so far as vigour and good intention goes, represented in a praiseworthy manner by the company. Our old friend J. P. Hydes was to the fore in the character of Col. Greyson, who is, however, a mere lay figure. Mr J. West, as the enterprising cutthroat, was as emphatic and conscientious as usual, whilst Miss Gertrude Duke looked and spoke very well. The " nigger" business, it is needless to say, went well, as being the only ray 0 virtue's light Bbed on the whole black atmosphere Of 0.-ime.

Australian.

Signor and Madame Morley gave a most successful concert in Sydney on the 19th. Miss Ada Ward took a benefit recently in Sydney, and appeared with Mr W. H. Leake in a drama called " Mad." " Mad," from what I can gather, is a piece calculated to inspire a beholder with awe ; but it cannot be described as happily suited to either of the principal performers. Walter Reynolds has assumed the reins at the Gaiety, Sydney, and is to manage during the Simongen opera season, which commenced with "Satanella."

A. L, Boothman, his pretty wife (Miss Ruth Grey), Miss Jessie Grey, (who is one of the cleverest all-round actresses in Australia), a Miss Mathews (whom we know not), and others, were to open at Bathurst on the Qoeen's Birthday. "The Guvnor" was to run a fortnight longer at the Opera-house, Sydney, by lateßt advices, and then I believe Mr Lankester's comedy " Crutch and Toothpick " is to be presented This is really funny, and the representation is rendered more remarkable by the extraordinarily clever acting of Fred. Marshall. Success has as usual attended the production of "New Babylon," in Sydney, by Bland Holt, and company. Most of the original cast have again been engaged, including Mr St. Lawrence, whose performance of John Jeremiah Lamb has long been remembered with amusement in Auatr <lia. Of course the less said about the piece the better;— but it takes.

Mr Kellar, the illusionist, has, as was predicted, been doing great business at St. George's Hall, Melbourne. "A Night in Dreamland" was the title of his opening entertainment and in the first part of the performance he accomplished a number of clever tricks in a most accomplished manner. Then, to quote from a local journal— cime something which was entirely new to a Melbourne audience. The curtain rose and disclosed four small figures — Arno, Echo, Phono, and Clio— seated in chairs. Mr Kellar deposited Arno on a glass cylinder, in proof that there was no communication with the stage, and after placing at the sjdo of the figure a case containing a number of printed figures so arranged as to be exhibited separately, informed the audience that Arno was prepared to answer :uiy question in arithmetic. At Mr Kellar's requoot, a gentleman went on to the stage, and was furnished with a blackboard and piece of chalk for the purpose of recording the answers

indicated by the figure. Several questions were then put and answered quickly and correctly. The right hand of the automaton moved rapidly to the figures required to form the answers, and one by one they were lifted out of the case, and presented in view of the audience and the recorder. Arno, by the intelligent movement of his head, appeared to think out the problems, and hesitated once or twice as if in doubt. Some of the questions were answered in a shorter time than an arithmetician would take to work them out. For instance, a gentleman asked the square of 5476, and the answer, 29,986,676, was given in le^s than a minute. In addition to his accomplishments in arithmetic, Arno appeared to bo possessed of second sight, as he indicated with ease the dates on coins borrowed from the audience by Mr Kellar. The performance was surprising, and elicited prolonged applause. Echo and Phono produced music from brass instruments in grand style. Next in interest to Arno, came Clio, the sketching automaton. Mr Kellar announced that the figure was prepared to sketch the head of any distinguished European statesman, also two or three public men in the colonies. Somebody in the gallery called for a sketch of Mr Bent, and great laughter was caused when Mr Kellar replied that the figure was not yet acquainted with all the prominent men, but that next week many sketches would be given, including Mr Bent and Mr Joe Thompson. The association of the names was rather unhappy. The audience decided upon requesting Clio to sketch the head of Sir Henry Parkes, and this the figure did in a short time, the likeness being recognised as a good one. Mr Kellar's automata are certainly very surprising. The entertainment was brought to a close by an exhibition of the Davenport cabinet seance.

" Michael Strogoff," or " Russia as it is," appears to have been a perfect frost at the Melbourne Theatre Royal. The characters, we learn, Bpeak a great deal of nonsense that is not amu9ing but only wearisome, and struggle against an adverse destiny. Mr Dampier has not impressed the public favourably as of yore, and Miss Adere in the piece has been greatly reviled by critics. Prof essor ßice, the "mind reader," has done so well at Garner's Theatre, Adelaide, that he has commenced a second short season at the Academy of Music. The Sydney Liedertafels' last social evening fairly maintained their ancient prestige. The Bulletin says : —The programme was in many particulars a repetition of that given on the earlier occasion. With one ixception, the added items were not improvements. At the Protestant Hall, the Liedertafel was at & disadvantage in one respect. The acoustic properties of the hall are abominable, and seriously interfered with the effect of the various items. The part-songs were consequently iiot so entirely delightful as on the previous occasion. Still, the Btyle in which they were sung was admirable. Mr Ashcroft Edwards has firmly established his title to be regarded as a conductor of the highest merit. Although the Sydney Liedertafel numbers fewer vocalists than its Melbourne parent, and the volume of sound is consequently less, the artistic finish with which it executes part-songs is even superior to that which caused the performances of the older society to be bo greatly admired. Not the faintest suspicion of a demi semi-quaver is audible at the finish of a chorus after Mr Edward's baton is dropped, and the creacendos and diminuendos are noble. The Montague-Turner Opera Company continues an unheard of success at the Bijou, Melbourne. All the old stock operas are being run over to crowded bouses. Mr Harklns is annoucced to open shortly with "The Colonel," in Sydney. Grattan Riggs and company are touring in the country. Prof essor Rice, at the invitation of two leading citizens in Adelaide, recently gave a private exhibition of his powers as a mind reader. The assemblage comprised some fifty ladies and gentlemen present by invitation. A great number of tests were submitted to tbe Professor, and he was successful except in two instances. Dr Whittell (who occupied the chair), in moving ft vote of thanks to Professor Rice, said, although he was unprepared with any theory which might account for this miod-reading, " there was no question as to the fact." The demonstrations and attendant explanation* occupiad over two hours' time. Mrs Marcus Clarke will return to the stage shortly. She will probably appear either at Geelong, Ballarat, or Sandhurst, and is studying up a repertoire of parti while her wardrobe is being prepared. It is about 13 years since Mrs Clarke retired from the stage on her ma riage, and she has a large family dependent on her exertions. She played for a week or two at the Bijou, about three years ago.

Home and Foreign.

The Pandora theatre, now being erected in Leicester Square, London, will be ornamented internally in the Japanese style, and lighted partially with electricity. The Pantomine at Drury Lane, will probably finish this month.

A new tribute to the great dramatic poet of all time has recently found its way to England. The colossal Shakesperean memorial executed by Lord Ronald Gower, which occupied the place d'honneur" at the Parisian Salon, has been transferred to the Crystal Palace. This magnificient monument should, it is said, place the aristocratic young sculptor among the foremost ranks of British artists. Round the great pedestal below are placed four of the principal figures from the plays of Shakespeare. Seated in front is Bamlet, contemplating the skull of Yorick. The attitude is one of exquisite grace, without the slightest affectation. The melancholy of his face, which beara the stamp of a man who ia not insane, but might easily drift into madness, iB remarkably rendered. Another statue represents Falstaff, the jovial roguery of whoso face cannot fail to raise a feeliner of enjoyment of fun in the spectator. A Btriking charm of bis figure lies in the fact that, in spite of his unwieldy form, there is a certain elegance pervading it. On one side is a very fine representation of Lady Macbeth, in her sleep-walking scene, full of deep feeling and dramatic character. On the other an elegant and graceful figure of Prince Hal, putting on his father's crown— perhaps the least attractive, as the least dramatic, of the four statues. Above, tower figures of Tragedy and Comedy, the former in the act of crowning a bust of Shakespeare, while the latter bends gracefully forward to present flowers to the effigy of the great poet. Mr William Holland is determined to make the approaching revival of "Babil and Bijou" at the Alhambra Burpass all previous efforts. The armour scene— in which it may be recollected Hits Helen Barry first appeared at Covent Garden as leader of the Amazons— is to eclipse anything of the kind the stage has ever known. Mr Frank Green has been writing up Mr Boucicault's lines, whilst Mr Holland himself has been reconstructing the scene plot. Miss Jennie Beauclerc is to be Bijou, and Mr Harry Walsham Babil ; whilst to Mr H. Paulton falls Mr Lionel Brough's part of the High Prießt. Tom Lovell, the well-known clown, will play the Turtle ; and the scenery has been put in the capable hands of Messrs Beverly, Grieves, and Albert Calcott. Those who remember " Babil and Bijou " when first produced will have no hesitation in predicting another success.

Being invited by the members of the New York Press Club to sing, Mdme. Patti has replied that she will return to New York next season, when she will be chappy to comply with their wishes. Mdme. Patti appears to have changed her mind, as we certainly were given to understand that her recent visit to America would be her last. The Royal Italian Opera Company (Limited), which will shortly be floated, will centralise Italian opera at Covent Garden. Mdlle Minnie Hauck is accredited with an intention to start an English opera troupe. The first performance of " Auntie," at Toole's Theatre, was marked by an incident that might easily have resulted in a panic s-ome scenery at the back ignited, and it was some little time before the performers could understand by tbe gesticulations among the audience what was actually the matter. The fire was the readily extinguished, and the audience, as a whole, behaved remarkably well during the few minutes' suspense when it was possible that something dangerous might result. The "gods "in the front of the gallery noticed the sparks of j the smouldering canvas first, and some slight confusion was caused, as they, acting upon their first impulse, rose and tried to make their way back over the people behind them. Naturally, there were cries of " Sit down in front," and the attention in the stalls was turned off the stage to the scone of confusion above. By the time, however, the iact of tho fire had become generally known, it was all but extinguished, and a few reassuring words from Mr Toole concluded the incident.

Mr Heury Forrester, who will bo remembered as Irving's lago, is seriously ill. Dion Boucicault is writing an Irish drama for the Brighton Theatre. The entire staff of tho Lyceum Theatre reaches the enormous total of 600.

The disputed cl>.im for £108 from the Gaiety management for bouquets and flow ors supplied, has been adjudged a legal one, and Mr Robert Smith has been ui'ilored fo [iiiy it Beaudet, iitiridmami, a' d OgJui have been doing exttaordimvrily well in Calcutta. The Hindoos are fascinated with the German Hamlet,

Italian Opera is in high repute at .Monte Carlo. The company includes Mdmes. Atbani, Scalchi, and Stuarda, MM. Gayarre, Faure, Maurel, and Pousard. At the first performance of " Faust," M. Ch. Gounod himself conducted. Misa Lucy Eiley appeared as a solo violin3t at the annual benefit concert of Mr Richard Lemaire, when Mr Charles Halte was the P1 The sudden death of Signor Fabls Campana, late of the Royal Italian Opera, leaves a blank in the musical world. Signor Campana was one of the moat popular composers of the Italian school. His vocal compositions, numbering upwards of 400, were seldom absent from the programme of the most brilliant concerts of the season, whether given in the concertroom or in the drawing-room of the elite. The Sacred Harmonic Society, which under Sir Michael Costa has achieved a European reputation, is languishing for want of support, and without a marked change will soon be dissolved. This is to be deplored, when we reflect how much the Society has done for oratorio music in England during the last 50 years. The Popular Concerts maintain their supremacy as the most sterling musical entertainments in London ; and the venerable Philharmonic Society, after 70 seasouß, has apparently burst into a bloom worthy of the freshness of youth. Mr Cusins has a splendid cheir, and at a recent concert gave, amongst other items of interest, the overture to " Der Freischutz," Liezt's choruß from " Prometheus," and the choral Bymphony of Beeihoven. . , .... The prize offered by a Viennese journal for the best Austrian national hymn has been awarded to a musician, who is a Jew. We learn from an English paper that there are 472 places of amusement in London, including theatres, music-halls, concert-rooms, &c, under Bix separate jurisdictions, namely : Two patent theatres (Covent Garden and Drury Lane), each capable of holding 4000 persons, under the Crown ; 45 theatres holding 80,000 persons, under the Lord Chamberlain; 10 theatres holding 38,000, licensed by the divisional magistrates ; 347 music-halls, 75 large and 272 small places, holding 136,700, licensed by the Middlesex magistrates; 61 music-halls, 75 large and 68 small places, holding 82.800, licensed by the Surrey magistrates ; and two licensed placeß holding 1400, and about five places presumably unlicensed holding 5000, under the City of London.

American.

A new place of amusement, modelled upon what the London Alhambra was in its pre-theatrical days, is to be opened in New York by two well-known theatrical managers. „ An original musical comedy, the scene ol which lies on board an ocean-going steamer, has been produced in Jeraey city. Emmett had by last advices been sober for six months, waß reconciled to his wife, and doing the biggest business in America-viz., £1000 per week or thereabouts. The late Kmilie Melville Opera Company was, when the last mail left, being reorganised in New York, and will hereafter be known as Haveriy's Melville Opera Company. After a short season in the East the com. pai<y comes to Australia, leaving San Francisco about August. Blondin leaves for London during the summer. The Australian debutante, Emma Howson, bag re-, cived most flattering notices in New York. The following is an example :— " New York has hao. this season English, French, and German Mascottes, but of all the number seen, Mibs Emma Howson is decidedly the most graceful and brilliant. Lately she appeared In this character at Haverley's Fourteenth street Theatre, and impressed every person in the audience with her simple and earnest pourtrayal of the part. A more graceful Patience than Miss Emma Howson it has not been cur good fortune to have seen in this city. She sings the music sweetly, acts the part with a naivete that is irresistible, and altogether presents an ideal Patience." Edwin Booth revisits London almost immediately. There is some talk of his again receiving hospitality at the Lyceum. ' Alice Lingard will sta» next season under the joint management of Wm. Mitchell and Wm. Horace Lingard. Frank Ryan, a young aspirant for musical honours as a ballad singer, will appear at the American theatres shortly in a new song entitled " Oscar, dear." A contemporary remarks " Won't Oscar, dear, be wild." Baker and Farron are now in America, and will p»oduce next season a melodrama. It iB now in the hands of a well-known dramatist, but Messrs B. and F. have furnished the plot and incidents themselves. It is not improbable that these comedians will again visit Australia in the course of the next 12 months. By last advices " Olivette " was being performed by the Comley-Barton troupe in 'Frisco as it never had been by any other company in that city. A large' orchestra was engaged under the leadership of an admirable musician, Alfred Cellier. Haase recently appeared in San Francisco in a fouract farcical comedy entitled " The Devil's Cliff." It.is described as a trifle, witty and clever in dialogue, but trashy in plot. The central figure, Heintzeimann, was played in admirable comedy spirit by Haase. But the play is not worthy of the great actor's abilities. It owes its place Jn his repertoire solely to the fact that the author is Borlin'fl cleverest feuilletonist, Oscar Blumenthal. Haase's Hamlet is described as a magnificent piece of dramatic acting, differing, however, widely from Edwin Booth's conception of the character. Handel's famous oratorio has been performed in New York for the first time. Dr Damrosch conducted. The managers of the late Emelie Melville Opera Company, Locke and Blanchett, are heavily indebted to tho company for salaries due, and recently, it is said, the poor chorus-singera who were unpaid were in distress, and unable to obtain atiy money irom the management. Miss Melville paid each of them out of her own pocket to relieve their immediate wants. Mr J. Haverley has snapped up " the only Leon " for two years, and the Salisbury Troubadours have disbanded. Haverley rarely travels with any show himself, and did not even visit London when his Mastodon Minstrels wore playing at Her Majesty's. The rumour as to his insolvency now appears unfounded.