"THE RESURRECTION."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8425, 25 January 1899, Page 4

"THE RESURRECTION."

ROME t!OKS WILD OVER A NEW ORATORIO.

Tin: first performance of the new oratorio "The Resurrection of Christ," by Don l'ernsi, the celebrated priest, musician, took place at Rome on December 18th in the Church of the Twelve Apostles, which hail been transformed into a magnificent concert hall anil lighted by electricity. Twelve cardinals and numerous prelates and members of the arislociacy were present, the audience numbering nearly 31)011. There was a chorus of 300, and a full orchestra. Don Porosi was greeted with what seemed to be interminable applause. I notieod Mascngni applauding enthusiastically. The prelude describing Christ's agony on the cross, and the earthquake, was most effective, the composer obtaining wonderful effects from the brass instruments, the trumpet nearly always leading the majestic phrases, and the Resurrection theme often recurring, like a Wagnerian leit-motif. The duet of the two Marys at the sepulchre is .sublimely pathetic, and was enthusiastically encored. Don l'erosi received a delirious ovation at the close of the first pare, the unique sight being witnessed of cardinals, prelates, and grand ladies cheering the little Napoleon-like priest. The second part opens with a beautiful motif intermingled with the Gregorian chant, representing the dawn of Resurrection day. (ireat applause greeted the Resurrection motif, when the organ breaks with splendid effect. The chorus of apostles and angels at the sepulchre aroused tremendous enthusiasm, and the exulting fugue announcing the Resurrection, and the final chorus "Alleluia" — a grand crescendo — were greeted with immense applause and encored. On leaving the church Don Perosi received an ovation from the crowd which tilled the Piazza. The critics unanimously expressed admiration for his creation, in which dramatic and ecclesiastical music are beautifully blended. The composer is hailed as a reformer of sacred music, and will be made a domestic prelate of the Pope, besides receiving a high distinction, from the King. Two men, Thompson and Lewis, were arrested at Wellington for laying totalisator odds on the Hutt racecourse. It is probable some informations for trespass will also bo laid. The initial appeal on behalf of the completion of the Chrislchureh Cathedral has resulted in more than one-fourth of the sum required heing subscribed in sums varying from £1 to £000. Of the sum of £12,000 required to carry through the work, over £3200 has been promised. According to the estimate of the harbor engineer, there were 762,000 cubic yards of sand accumulated round the New Plymouth breakwater in November last, and the average drift of sand for the last 18 years has been about 70,000 cubic yards per annum. The cost of maintaining the port for ever by means of sand-pump dredging should not exceed £1000 a year for working expenses. Mr M'Gowan, M.H.R. for the Thames, will seek re-election for that seat, and the Mayor of the Thames (Mr H. J. (ircenslade) intends to oppose him. Mr Edwin Edwards is to lie a. candidate for the Ohinemuri seat, about to be vacated by the Hon. Mr Cadman, and another probable candidate is Mr Thomas Gavin, Chairman of the Te Aroha Domain Board, one of the leading mine managers in the Upper Thames. As showing the enormous passenger tralfic between Wellington and Lyttelton during the past few weeks, the Rotomahaua, making three trips a week, has carried an average of SOO passengers per week for the past six weeks. This, of course, is no guide as to what the traffic really is, as all steamers leaving for the South have carried immense numbers of excursionists during the holidays. — N. Z. Times. Mr Ayson, curator of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society has secured promises in America and Canada of a million and a half of white fisli eggs, and 100,000 Pacific and blue back salmon. Canvas back and red head ducks are very scarce, and he does not expect to get any. He proposes to obtain elk and white tail deer, quail, and Canadian wild goose. Mr Ayson says the fish culture in America is ahead of that in Europe. He has received every assistance in getting an insight into the system of wonting. Another development tending to more sleep is chronicled by the Paris correspondent of the London Telegraph. Two French doctors are said to have tried with remarkable success keeping their nervous patients in bed for several weeks without allowing them to go out under any pretext whatever. They arc not restricted to any particular diet, nor compelled to give up their habits and customs, good or' bad, unless walking is one of them. A French ofliccr was lately subjected to the lying a-bed regime for a fortnight, being allowed to read, write, receive friemls, discuss, .smoke, and drink the while. He slept from twelve to fifteen hours out- of the twenty-four, and at the end of the fortnight he was positively rejuvenated. The idea is greatly relished in Paris by fashionable ladies, who are, therefore, rciuaitiinq in bed for two or three days on end, and a-, I hey must also transact" the usual husinc=, of talking and inspiring, they have had special nervous-cure customs designed and made for them. Many ladies, who die not at all nervous, but only fashionable and pretty, arc doing likewise. There was splendid weather for the Wellington anniversary. A great number of people went to Plimmeiton and other seaside resorts. The principal festivities besides the race meeting were the swimming sports and yacht races. In the 100 yds swimming championship of New Zealand seven competed, and it was won by I'M wards of Chiistehuroh l.y a head from Titwoil of Cluiftehureh the present champion, Stokes of Christchurch third, two foot away. Others were close up. ■ The time, ti!t 4-oth sec, is a record for the ' colony. The Maritana won the principal < yacht niccs YYanganm observed the j annivei'Miry by holding Caledonian sports, i which were largely attended and highly ' successful. It was the biggest, gathering '■ of pipers ever seen there, no less than lb 1 being on the giound. The points pii/.e ( for Highland music was taken by Piper ■Cameron, and the dancing by Voinos, whihi, most points in tossing the caber, putting the hammer, and tnrow ing the atone, wcie taken by M'Dowell, Palmcrslon North. A river excursion, and one . to the seaside also attracted a large ciowd. ,