MUSICIANS AND COMPOSERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 76

MUSICIANS AND COMPOSERS.

Master Henry Francella, a 14-year-old flautist, has been recently enrolled in the fairtous Queen's Hall orchestra. H« is the son of Mr Albert Francella, the famous flute player, who is himself a member of the same orchestra, so that father and son play together nightly. Mr Henry J. Wood has taken a, great interest in this cle-yer young play«r, and has shown his interest by admitting him into his orchestra. Mile. Alice Nielsen, who made such a pronounced sucoess in "La Boheme" at Covent Garden, was born in Southern America, passed her childhood in Kansas City, Missouri, made her dramatic debut in the Eastern States, and studied for Grand Opera in Italy. Well as she sang before. Mile. Nielsen has to thank Mr Henry Russell, j director of the San Carlo Company, for the development of her voice and the cordial encouragement that has enabled her, after a comparatively short training, to appear in London in star parts. Dr Joseph Joachim will soon be able to look back on a period of 60 years of public j performance and teaching. At this time it mar b« welcome to his many disciples and admirers to hear that the master is engaged in putting down his method and the result of his many years' experience in a School of Violin, which will consist of there volumes. Dr Joachim will be assisted by Professor Andreas Moser, one of his former pupils, who -will act as his collaborator. The death from pleurisy at the early age of 37 of Mr Desire Ixilande, the principal oboist of the Queen's Hall orchestra, is a loss not only to this Lody, but to the art world of to-day, for he was a master of his instrument and an earnest musician. His fath&r, who died about three years ago, was principal bassoon player in Halle's Manchester orchestra, and was a, highly-esteemed executant. Yet another musical prccligy from Austral lia. Her name is Ella Caspers, and, according to one of the Sydney musical critics, she is the "coming Clara Butt." Her singing at the last concert in connection with the Sydney College of Music created quite a furore. Her voice is described as a pure oontralto of rare timbre, clear, powerful, and singularly sympathetic. She was born of German parentage at Albury, the border town among the vineyards between Victoria and New South Wales, where Rolf Boldrcwood. th-e novelist, spent 20 years as stipendiary magistrate, coroner, and goldfields warden. — Music for December. Miisical circles in Berlin have been deeply stirred by the appearance of a marvellous young violinist, Mieha Elman. whose first public concert has caused a profound sensation. How this 12-year-old child acquired his extraordinary technique and tone is a mystery. Music which even old masters like Joachim and Sarasate mastered after 3-ears of strenuous labour was played with an ease, certainty, and at times depth which were staggering. Critics are disputing whether Elman or Vecsey is the greater genius. The majority seem inclined to favour this wonderful Hebrew boy. Individuality is lacking, the-y say. in both, but Elman is probably the greater instrumentalist. When Joachim heard him all he said was, "I am speechless." Dr Richard Strauss, t}\e eminent composer end director of the orchestra at the Berlin , Royal Opera, has just finished an elaborate opera, entitled 'Salome." The libretto is ■ taken from the late Oscar Wilde's drama " of the same name. The first performance i will be given at Munich. The opera is " said to belong to tho Wagner school, with most elaborate orchestration. The news of tho death, at the early age of 32, of Mr Garnet Wolseley Cox was re ceived with much regret in musical circles. Mr Cox, who ius a relative of Viscount Wolseley, studied with Professor Ebcnezer Prout at the Royal Academy of Music, and 1 his compositions included a Symphony, three ] Overtures — one of which, "Pelleas and Me- \ lis-anda," was performed by the Philharmonic Society in March, 1902— two Orehestral Suites, and several refined songs. His ' "Pastoral Suit©/' called "Ewelsas," gso- i

' c'lvocd at tlio Promenade Conceits in September of 190,5, nai particularly bright and I melodious Tho caiuc of death v>as con- | 'umption. | An amu>ing account has reached Paris i of tho experiences of Signor Bigna, the ' leader of tho orchestra at the Now Yoifc i Metropolitan Op^ia He aie. with the Customs officers of that tity on his return after spending his holiday in Europe. He had such an unusually lai go number of trunks | that the suspicions of the Cu'toms officers wero aroused. A box was o; en-ed, which contained nothing but dress shirts, all starched and glossy. Several ofch-cr boxes were found to be similarly packed, until I no fewer than 250 dress shirts had been revealed. Signor Bigxia explain-ed that the exercise of conducting jn an Italian opera •was very great, and that he always put on a fresh shirt between the a-c^s. Further, the Chinese laundrymen in New York always ruined his linen, so he had resolved to havo all his washing done- in Italy when on his holidays there at the close of the season, and had accordingly brought over ' enough clear, shirts to last him till be got; back. Under* the circumstances the shirts were passed chity free. Sir Edward Elgar, viho is to become the first occupant of a new Chair of Music in the Un ivors Ij of Birmingham, did not o-jin-i mence his career as a musician. Ho went j out into the world very early in life, and spent som« time in the office of a solicitor. Si<- Edward was unknown outside musical circles at th;s ume last- year, the "Coronation Ode"' notwithstanding, yet he is now supreme in the world of festivals. The late Mr Anderson gives an account of how Sims Rc^e« got his first chancr. Macivady uas in management at Drury Lano — an epoch-making timo in the history of th-o British stage. The play was to be Dryden's "King Arthur."' but after it had been some time ia rehearsal Cooke, the musical director, came in despair to announce that he had nobody to sing the solos of "Oome, if you dare," and suggested a postponement. Postponements are disastrous in theatrical business, and Macready was much disturbed. Mr Anderson said. "You know Sims Reeves in the chorus?" Cooke laughed at the idea ; but he consented after much pressure to give Reeves a hearing in his music room alone. In less than 10 minutes he rushed out delighted and converted. And Reeves made a great hit, and scon after was able to go to Italy to study, and, a little after, to start on that marvellously successful caroer as a singer with which we are all acquainted.