THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2009, 25 August 1892, Page 35

THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES.

ComtrikaU.nt from Ui.Profenlon ohranlcling their moremenU nod doln(i »re Inrlted. All communications to bo »d<irc«je<l t» " Puqnln," OUgo TTitneu Office.

For a generation lovers of music in England have been accustomed to associate together, as in a great triad of male singers, the names of Sims Reeves, Santley, and Siguor Foil Each of these possessed a voice typical of its class, and regarded as being of the very finest quality. Each, too, though having studied in the Italian school, and having gained indisputable laurels in the leading operatic parts for which his voice qualified him, gradually receded from the province of opera, to the almost exclusive cultivation of the schools of oratorio and English ballad concert. For more than 20 years no performance of either of these kinds was held to be first-rate* without the appearance in it of Mr Sims Reeves in the tenor part, and of Signor Foli or Mr Santley in that of the basso or baritone.

Allan James Foley, for that is the baptismal name of the great bass, is sprung from Tipperary, in Ireland, and, like his two compeers, achieved his early triumphs in opera, after having gone through a course of training at the hands of Italian masters. The master of Signor Foli was the Neapolitan teacher, Besaccia. It is now 30 years siuce, in 1862, that Signor Foli made his debut at Catania, in the character of Elmiro in Rossini's " Otello." Subsequently to this he continued to add to his growing reputation in the greater Italian cities and Paris, until, during the summer of 1865, he made his first appearance at Her Majesty's, London, in Meyerbeer's opera "Les Huguenots." From this moment his position as the leading English basso was assured. For five years the greatest bass parts in the greatest operas continued to have him as their exponent at one or other of the London opera houses, though he also occasionally figured in oratorio.

From about April, 1870, however, the realm of oratorio began more especially to claim him as its own. It would bo tedious to enumerate the many appearances he has made in the " Messiah," " Elijah," " Israel in Egypt," "The Creation," and other standard works of that, nature, but no great triennial festival or oratorio performance of the season at the Albert Hall, London, was considered complete without either Signor Foli or Mr Santley being included in the cast. Usually, when " Israel in Egypt 1 ' was the subject of exposition, the two celebrated singers were both engaged to render the duet entitled "The Lord is a man of War " together. In addition to rendering the bass parts of time-hallowed compositions, Signor Foli has also frequently been entrusted with»the responsibility of creating a part on the occasion of its first presentation. Signor Foli's successes have not, however, been confined to the British Isles. He has, at various times, sung with applause in all the chief European capitals, and has gathered both fame and emolument in touring the greater cities of the United States. •

Signor Foli will give the first of his six concerts in Dunedin in the Garrison Hall this (Thursday) evening. He will besupportedby Miss Bertha Rossow, always a favourite in Dunedin, Madame Cole (contralto), and Mr T. Leslie Middleton (tenor). Miss Emilia Woods, who was here with Madame Patey, will be the accompaniste. Supported by such a talented concert combination, there can be no doubt that Signor Foli's appearance will be an event to be remembered for many years. •Be arrived in Dunedin on Tuesday morning. IJe is in splendid voice, and will - pro* bably give "I'm a roamer," "The Bedouin's love song," and " Father O'Flynn" as his selections at the first concert. ,The Sydney Evening News says : — " The idea seems to prevail that special artists wha come from England are not to be looked for in Australia until their voices are faded and not far from, worn out, so that what we hear in the colonies are hardly more than the ghosts of what they have been. Now, however, experience has proved Signor Foli's voice to be as rich and sonorous as ever, and it is in no way surprising to find considerable excitement existing amongst our music lovers."- Since, Miss. Bertha Rossow's last appearance here sho is said to have made considerable progress in the profession she has adopted. Retarding Madame Cole's contralto voice, the crfl/ics in Australia are agreed that it is very liv?. Mr T. Leslie Middletou has been spoken of as ono of the best tenors produced in the colonies. Duriug Madame Patey's stay here wo had ample evidence of the ability of Miss, Wood, the accompaniste. The company open this (Thursday) evening.

The Dampier Company opened at Invercargill ou Tuesday night. The opening drama, was Messrs Henry Pettitt and George Conquest's drama " Crime and Punishment." The scenery and properties which are to be used in the coming Dunedin season, which opens in the Princess Theatre on night, arrived by the Talune ou Tuesday. The scenic artist "Alta" also arrived by the same boat, and will be busy duriug the -week getting everything into a state of preparedness. It may be mentioned that Mr Dampier came to Melbourne some 20 years ago on a starring engagement to the Theatre Royal, being then a young man of scarce 20 years of age, and arriving from the old country with the proud reputation of being the youngest actor of bin time then appearing in the title role of every principal drama on the London stage, in addifon to assuming all Shakespeare's principal characters, "Hamlet," "Othello," "Richard III," " Shylock," "Romeo,'', and others in his extensive repertoire, never failing to draw crowded houses and to be received by enthusiastic admirers. Mr George Buller is superintending nil preliminary arrangements.

Mr Walter Price, agent for the Wills' Surprise Party, arrived in Dunedin on Tuesday from Melbourne to make arrangements for the visit of the troupe to New Zealand. With the exception of Miss Priscilla Verne and Mr Dave Gardner, the members of the company are new to the colony. The tour will be commenced in Christchurch. on the Ist pros., but it will be November before tho party open in Dunedin.

The death is announced of Madame Trebelli, the singer. Mr Horace Chester gave his farewell entertainment at the Princess Theatre on Friday evening, when he had the assistance of several of our leading musicians. Miss Viola, the parachutist, made a successful ascent and descent at Invercargill on Saturday.

By the Hauroto which arrived at "Wellington on Tuesday, Mr Jinkins, advance agent of the Italian Opera Company, came over, on his way to Auckland to make arrangements for the commencement of the Company's New Zealand tour.

The Southland News in noticing the first Salvini concert given at Invercargill last week says that Mr Salviui's first selection ' ' Sound

I an Alarm," from "Judas Maccaboeus" "-was | sung by him with soul-stirring eft'eot, and in spite of the drawback of- there being no orchestral accompaniment, Mr Salvini absolutely thrilled his hearers." The other members of the company also came in for a word of praise, and of Mrs Murphy the news says: — "Mrs William Murphy, whose appearance was the signal for a hearty recognition on the part of the audience, contributed the grand aria "Roberto o Tv che Adoro" (Meyerbeer) and " The power of love" (Balfe), and her splendid vocalisation captivated her hearers, who insisted on encoring each item." Since leaving Australia Mr Harry St. Maur has been chiefly engaged in New York. He supported Mrs Scott-Siddons on her return to the American stage, when the season was unsuccessful. Mr St. Maur seems to have had a run of ill-luck since, and the latest news of him shows that early in June he was • ' stranded " at the Grand Opera House, Boston, with the Mervyn Dallas Dramatic Company. Bland Holt's Company, prior to ringing down the curtain on their Melbourne season, gave " Auld lang syne." Professor and Miss Heller, illusionists, trance mediums, &c, &c, contemplates an early New Zealand tour. Priscilla Verne is also mentioned as being likely to accept a New Zealand engagement. Mr George Musgrove has engaged the majority of the members of the Gaiety Burlesque Company for a term of 12 months, dating from the end of their present season. Several burlesques will be produced, and it is his intention to tour Australasia with the company. Both Mr Lonnen and Mr Courtneidge have agreed to remain, and the Sporting Standard says it is not unlikely that the latter will permanently settle in Australia. If he does, Australia will gain a sterling comedian. Mr Charles Holloway and his wife (Miss Alice Deorwyn) are busily engaged in Melbourne getting up a powerful dramatic company for their projected New Zealand tour. Fanny Lydiard and Gracie Whiteford go Homo with John F. Sheridan, of Widow O'Brien fame. Mrs Molyneux (nee Harper) is a member of Miss Myra Kemble's Company now playing at the Opera House, Sydney. Madame Sarah Bernhardfc, it is reported, is < devoted to the art of being a grandmother — to '; use a famous phrase of Victor Hugo. The infant 1 daughter of her son Maurice accompanies her 1 on her travels, and has replaced all the other r pets — tigers, serpents, and the rest — in the affections of the great actress. j " The Black Patti," otherwise Miss Sissieretta ■* Jones, has taken New York by storm. There are the most wonderful possibilities in her flexible, birk-like voice of remarkable compass, and it possesses what Adelina Patti's has always Jacked — soul. Sissieretta is as black, to use the old simile, as the ace of spades, and her face has the usual blunt nose and thick lips of the Africau, but the soul of a nightiugale | seeni3 to have lodged in that dusky throat. Sho sings with remarkable passiou and depth of feeling, while the brilliant Jioritura which embellishes her singing is perfect. Lottie Collins was to appear in Manchester, after which she departs to America, being under engagement to Daniel Frohman to appear in New York and sing " Ta-ra-ra," for which she is to receive, so itis said, L 240 per week. Miss Collins' engagement will only be for a brief period. I should think so at that price ! Miss Collins will, on her return to London, sing two new songs, both of which she believes will be even more successful than "Ta-ra-ra"; in fact, j she does not know which to produce first, so says a London writer. Ebhardo, the first spiral ascensionist in this ccuntry, and, as an atbkts, the successor in popularity of Blondin in the days of sensationalism at the Crystal Palace, is living in retirement at Peckham, near London. It will be recollected (says a Home paper) that enormous crowds were drawn there to see him stand on an immense ball, which he rolled with his feet up a corkscrew-shaped floor to the roof of the lofty building. According to the London Daily Graphic that imbecile son^, "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay," is giving place in the streets of the Modern Babylon to a soft crooning melody, in which the dominant phrase is " Ob, Liza, dear, Liza,

'ow d'ye fancy 'Awkins for your other name ? " What a contemptible creation is the Cockney in his taste for ditties of this sort.

The latest American papers to hand utate that Miss Louise Beaudet, the well-known actress, is suing her late partner, Herr Bandmann, for LIO,OOO, or a half-interest in his property ,at Montana (U.S.A ). Miss Beaudet will be remembered in Sydney for her impersonation of Marie, in " Tho Woman of the People," at the Gaiety Theatre in August, 1883. The drama was an adaptation by D'Ennery from Zola's " L'Assommoir," in which Baudmann played the part of the drunken Remy. After touring India, Ceylon, and the Straits Settlements, these actors realised a considerable fortune iv the Western States, which Bandmann invested in a cattle ranch. Miss Beaudet now claims half of this property, which is of great value

Many will learn with much regret that Mr Armes Beaumont, by the failure of speculations during the land boom, lost all his hard-earned savings, and to free himself from responsibilities chiefly incurred by lending his name to help friends, has been compelled to appeal to his creditors. There is always a strong feeling of sympathy when misfortune overtakes those whose life has been chiefly passed in ministering to the pleasures of others; and this feeling will be intensified in the present instance by the remembrance of physical suffering under which tho most gifted tenor which Australia has produced has laboured for over 20 years. Melbourne is arranging a monster benefit for this favourite artist, and Sydney, upon whoso stage he first appeared in opera, will also contribute in a similar way to aid the much-om-barassed Don Ctesar de Bazan. At Adelaide a benefit is to be given him at the end of the present month.

A correspondent writes from Waterford in a Home paper as follows :—: —

" With reference to 'Colleen Dhas Crouthing a Mow,' or 'The Nice Girl Milking the Cow,' which you say in your issue of May 28, is to be sung by Madame Patti as it was never sung before. If tradition speaks truly, that is not so, for the composition and first singing of said song is attributed to no less a personage than His Satanic Majesty himself. The tradition is that once on a time a priest was called upon in a hurry to attend on a dying sinner. It was a lovely summer's morning, and he set off on horse back in order to arrive quickly. All went well till ho came to the entrance of a wocd, at which he was struck spell-bound by hearing the most melodious singing that ever greeted human ears. The song was 'Colleen Dhas Crouthing a Mow.' The priest reined up his horse at once in order not to disturb the singer, and waited to hear the whole song. After which the most demoniacal laughter greeted his ears, which brought him to hiR senses at once, and caused him to ride, fast and furious, to the relief of the dying man. But he arrived, alas, "too late." For as he came in sight of the house the man breathed his last. The priest then knew it was a will of the Evil One himself ,to waylay him, in order to prevent him from absolving the dying sinner. And his reverence, as in duty bound, did penance in sackcloth and ashes for his sin of procrastination, and at the same time denounced the fatal song from the altar, and forbade all good Catholics ever to sing it. As a consequence, it is held in the same repute by the Irish peasantry as the "Marseillaise" is held by the Clerical party in Franco."

FOOTE AND HIS "UNDERSTUDY."

In 1747, Foote arranged an entertainment in the little Haymarket Theatre, London, called " The Diversions of the Morning." which had extraordinary success ; nearly all the characters were rudo portraits of personages well-known ou town. The public rushed to see, but as he also performed the regular drama in an unlicensed theatre, the authorities interfered.

He then thought of a rather colourable device to elude the law: — "Mr Footo begs the favour of his friends to come and drink a dish of chocolate with him ; and he hopes there willbe a great deal of comedy and some joyous spirits ; he will endeavour to make the morning as diverting as possible. Tickets for this entertainment to be had at St. George's Coffee House, Temple Bar, without which no person will be admitted. N.B.— Sir Dilbery Dibble and Lady Froth have absolutely promised."

It was found impossible to suppress this sort of performance, and Mr Foote's ",8how" became the rage. His plan was to introduce a number of young performers whom he affected to be instructing for the stage, rehearsing with them, and making sarcastic remarks on the leading writers, politicians, &c, of the day.

Emboldened by success, he presently changed the season of performance to the night time, and called it " Giving Tea." Later, he held an "Auction of pictures," another framework, in which ho introduced well-known characters, such as " Orator " Henley, and the magistrate who had made himself active in "putting down " his show.

Foote, who in the way of ridicule spared nobody, seems to have been himself most sensative and thin-skinned when any liberties were taken with him.

It is amusing to find that ho was to suffer acutely from an obscure parasite whom he himself had instructed in the art — Tate Wilkinson, a forward, clever lad, one of the " supers " at Drury Lane, who had been, exhibited by him on the stage as "a pupil." This youth had an extraordinary talent for low mimicry, and was encouraged by his employer to exhibit it. One night at the Dublin Theatre, after giving his imitation of Mrs Woffington, he was greeted wich so much applause that he was on the instant tempted to an imprudent stej). " A sudden thought," he tells us, " occurred. I felt all hardy, all alert, all nerve, and i amediately advanced six steps ; and before I spoke I received the full testimony of true imitation. The master, as he was called, sat on the stage at the same time. I repeated 12 or 14 lines of the very prologue he had spoken that night, and, before Mr Foote, presented his own self, his manner, his voice, his oddities, and so exactly hit that the glee and pleasure it gave may be easily conceived to see and hear the mimic mimicked. The suddenness of the action tripped up Foote's audacity so much that he, with all his effrontery, sat foolish, wishing to appear equally pleased with the audience, but knew not how to play that difficult part." A graphic picture !

The jackal became a thorn in the greater mimic's side. Wilkinson early appropriated the entertainment, and travelled over the kingdom, "giving tea " every where, and "taking off," in his vulgar way, his late master and the leading actors. — Cornhill.