GIPSIES IN EUROPE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 803, 25 October 1929, Page 18

GIPSIES IN EUROPE

DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO BE SETTLED TROUBLESOME NOMADS | In the hotels of Austria, Czechoj Slovakia, or Hungary, the tourists ] will often meet gipsy musicians, but j these swarthy, dark-eyed men in dinner-jackets are as unrepresentaj live of their race as the negro jazzband players in the fashionable Paris hotels are of their kin in Texas, writes the Vienna correspondent of the Manchester “Guardian Weekly.” The recent trial of a dozen gipsies at Kosice, Slovakia, for half a dozen murders committed during recent years has turned the limelight on these gipsies. AII were illiterate. Their clothing consisted of mere rags. Religion was unknown to them. The gipsies tried at Kosice gained their livelihood by begging and stealing. Occasionally, if people gave no alms to them, they would be without food for days at a stretch. Sometimes they committed murders, as often as not for quite trivial reasons. A poor peasant woman had to die because a gipsy beauty wanted her bright-coloured neckerchief. A 14-year-old boy was murdered because a bottle protruded from his pocket and the gipsies scented brandy. I happen to know the district between Moldava and Presov (both places in Eastern Slovakia), in which these gipsies committed their robberies and murders. Each village in this district has its so-called “Ciganysor” (Gipsy Row), where the settled gipsies live. These settlements are, however, extremely primitive, and the gipsies in them live as outcasts. Their tiny huts are made of sun-dried mud-bricks. The poor cabin is meagrely roofed with straw. There are often no windows or doors, so that during the past exceptionally cold ! winter many gipsies perished. Gipsy Musicians

The occupations which the settled gipsies have taken up are generally menial jobs, with the exception of one; some of them are the musicians of the town or village in which they live. If they migrate, to Czechoslovakia or Hungary, Rumania or Serbia, they learn the folk songs of their new home, but give to them a strange and characteristically gipsy interpretation. Before the war, when Hungarian nobles ruled feudally over the villages in Slovakia as in the Hungarian plain or Transylvania, the lot of the gipsy musicians was a happier one. The life was not easy, but they might earn quite considerable sums. Entertainments with gipsy music in old Hungary often lasted two or three days, during which the gipsies had to play almost incessantly, with only a few hours’ rest. If my lord was in good humour he might give the leader of the gipsy band a thousand-crown note (£4O), spitting on the note and then sticking it on the gipsy’s forehead. If his lordship was merry he and his guests might draw their revolvers and shoot around the legs of the gipsies, j They were all crack shots, and the gipsies all practised jumpers. Or the noble company might find amusement in smashing up the ’cellos or double bass; of course, they would he paid for. These days are almost gone in Hungary, and altogether gone in Slovakia. The land reform, which well nigh ruined the nobles to feed the peasants, robbed the gipsies of their patrons. Today a few Czech crowns (about eight go to the shilling) may be earned at. an entertainment. Twenty crowns are a munificent fee. There is a tax now on music in inns; times are hard and the innkeeper may turn the gipsy band away. Problem of Employment And not every gipsy can live by his fiddling. If he cannot get into the village band he must accept occasional labouring jobs with builders or on the farms. Potato-setting is one occupation in Slovakia which is left to the gipsies, and the potato harvest is pulled in Hungary and Slovakia by gipsy women. Another gipsy occupation is the making of mud-bricks dried in the sun. In the old days the gipsy women would glean the fallen ears, but the harvesting machinery of today garners too well, and one more means of livelihood has gone. Those who can get no work join together in a caravan, and in their quaint canvas-covered wagons, with their hordes of children, they take the high road, roaming from one village to another, occasionally accepting casual labour, and if work fails, beging or stealing. These wandering gipsies are continually harassed by the gendarmes. They are liable to arrest for being without documents or because their documents are not registered—both punishable offences in Central Europe. Often the gendarmes are able to extort from them a confession that they have stolen goods here or there. When they come out of prison they are expelled from the village, and driven from one place to another by the suspicious authorities. After the discovery of the crimes of the Moldava gipsies various schemes were considered for dealing with the gipsy question. Even the creation of gipsy “reserves” was suggested by some Parliamentary deputies. One constructive measure has been adopted: several gipsy schools have been established in Slovakia to try to convert the Romany kiddies into civilised members of society. The gipsies have become useful members of society in the past in those countries where they have been treated humanely. In Spain in 1783 Charles 11. threw open all trades to the gipsies provided that they gave up their Romany tongue and their national dress. In Russia Catherine 11. settled the nomad gipsies on Crown domains. In Serbia Prince Milosh began to settle the gipsies on the land as a reward for their services in the wars of liberation at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Many gipsies became smiths in Serbia, and this helped toward their emancipation; they have become respected members of society, who may sit at the same table with the peasants in the village inns. In Hungary Maria Theresa issued a liberal decree in 1761, but this was withdrawn six years later; a subsequent decree ordered that the gipsy children should be taken away from their parents. About fifty years ago the Hungarian Archduke Joseph made considerable efforts to settle the gipsies on his estates. He even learned their language and compiled a Romany dictionary. But his efforts were not crowned with success for want of uniform legislation.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

JIM GERALD REVUE COMPANY Mr Jim Gerald and his company of versatile artists are offering a programme of laughter, son*?, and dance at St. James Theatre this week and anybody suffering from the blues would soon forget their troubles by visiting the theatre. The comedian himself is a fountain of humour, and he has maintained and added to the popularity which lie won when in Auckland before. ilie supporting players individually and collectively give a programme of clever sketches, dances, and novelty items which would be hard to beat, tin cl largo houses have been attracted to the theatre., . The principal feature on this x\eek.s programme is a revue, “The Honeymoon Girl,” which abounds m clever acting and fast and furious tunmaking. The new programme will be presented on Tuesday evening. GRAND AND LYRIC BRIGHT PROGRAMMES ! The new programme of silent pictures at the Grand and Lyric Theatres this evening will include two entertaining but entirely different types of film. The first is “Painted Posts,’* starring the well-known Western actor, Tom Mix, in the role of the sheriff of a small village which is continually subject to raids by robbers. There are many exciting incidents before the thieves are caught, also some pleasing romantic scenes. The second big attractions, entitled “Let ’Er Go, Gallagher,” is a breezy tale of American sporting life, starring Junior Coghlan, Harrison Ford, and Elinor Fair. In addition, an American novelty dancing and comedy act, “Black and White,” will be presented tomorrow afternoon and every evening during the week. RIALTO AND REGENT, EPSOM “COME ACROSS” As dramatic as its titl£, “Come Across,” a new production, will open at the Rialto and Regent (Epsom) Theatres tonight. Lina Basquette, in the leading role, has one of the most dramatic and appealing parts she has ever been called upon to portray. She is said to give a distinguished performance in a role which afforded her exceptional opportunity to display her dancing ability. “Come Across” is timed to the vivid tempo of present day life. It concerns the adventures of a society girl who becomes an entertainer in a notorious night club in orded to learn how the other half lives. She becomes entangled with a gang of criminals, and falls in love with a man far removed from her own circles. The picture is rich in humour as well as in action and romantic qualities. Among its features are a daring and colourful night club entertainment scene, and one of the most realistic raid scenes ever transferred to the screen. A film dealing with life on a summer beach, entitled “None But the Brave,” and starring Charles Morton, is the second feature.

FINDING A FAMOUS SINGER GRAVESTOCK TELLS OF GIANNINI A. J. Gravestock met the late Daniel Mayer, the world-famous manager, one day in New York. “Just the man I want to see.” said Meyer. “You must take Giannini to Australia.” That was two years ago. and the well-known Australian concert manager didn’t know very much about Dusolina Giannini. “Well, come and hear her tomorrow,” said Meyer, “at the Roxy Theatre We’re, paying her £350 to sing one Mr. Gravestock wiped the dollars away from his eyes and said he’d go. It was snowing bitterly next morn—a Sunday—and Mr. Gravestock skidded and sli'd to the Roxy Theatre. At 11 a.m. there were 4,000 people already there. again Mr. Gravestock wiped the dollars— and the snow—out of iiis eyes. Dusolina sang and sang and sang. The audience ensured that the one song became many. Next day Dusolina had signed a contract to come here. That was in She was so heavily booked she coulan t come before. Last night Auckland realised why. TELEPHONE TESTS REQUIREMENTS OF AN ACTOR ° n t i w | lose voice sounds well over the telephone can become a suc“ul P Ja yer in talking pictures, proalmtv°U COU ?®’ that he has the added i b ‘ lay to act - says William Powell, the Paramount star, who is now mak- .? e ,T picture, "Behind studio^ ake - UP ' at the Hollywood Powell states that the ability to act is of paramount importance. Almost any person can learn to use theif vMce properly, provided that they have a good voice in the first place e Points to the many film players cesstul r inToiw- haVe , PrOVecl ec fually successful in talkies although they had no experience in talking roles The w?lrt el r f •• alki6 for Paramount, cess - proved a great success. fehe had never played a talkin'* P r rt e £? r f- “Dangerous Curves.” her 1 senteri Production, will be pre-|--riTU New Zealand shortly. The | ‘ t.Dird talkie, “The Saturday Night Kid.” is now in production.

GLORIOUS GIANNINI

ANOTHER PERSONAL TRIUMPH CONCERT AT TOWN HALL Dusolina Giannini— the name it. el . seems so melodious, easily flowing- also with the singer's superb gifi, i song. The wonderful ease of everv note and inflexion in that ervj-' stream seems to invite comparis.l with the lark as it floats in pouring out its Hood of harmony „ the song thrush that for the ihtU joy ot living throbs from the its eager tribute to the sun, the and the good, green world of sprint Again last evening Giannini a responsive audience under her sne She gave a programme ranging f ro operatic numbers to delightful lit" Italian folk songs, and the centurv-ol •'Drink to Mo Only With Tliine Eye. which was her final answer to insi. . ent recalls. In every phase of this programme she demonstrated the re. markable vocal endowment which however polished and perfected study and development, is itself incapable of artificial cultivation, lithe ethereal realm of song, as in the lesser ways of life, there is no subt; tute for genius.

It was a bleak and desolate nigh: with the wind whistling through tli. austere corridors of the Town Hall, ami even causing an annoying racket i doors now and then. Within the hall chilled music lovers waited, some i:l rugs, for the concert to begin. Bu: once that tlood of harmony was released in the first notes of the ari “Plus Grand dans Son Obscurite,” from Gounod’s “La Reine de Saba.” the coki was forgotten and climatic deficiencies overcome by the warmth of that compelling magic. Nevertheless, one felt sorrow in one* heart for the slim, dark-haired accompanist, Miss Molly Bernstein, who sa:, bare-armed, at the piano, yet showed no evidence in the artistic quality of her work of the severe handicap which the cold must have been to her. Her accompaniments made a charming and sympathetic background to the sense of rapture with which the sfgnoriiu enveloped her audience. “Love Has Eyes” allowed a demonstration of Giannini’s remarkable technique in a light, dancing, roguish number, that was in sharp contrast to the sombre “Over the Steppe” which followed it. The aria, “Ritorna Vinci tor,” from “Aida,” was sung with all the dramatic power demanded by the theme, and again there were delicious light and shade in the group of Italian folk songs, to which the singer next turned, as if to demonstrate her versatility. Most interesting of the*# were “Luise” and “Tarantella Luc:ana.” . “Luise” had a “Funiculi, Funi* cula” sort of quality about it. There was a coquettish lilt behind that merry love-song, and Giannini. whose animation and aptness of expression and gesture enrich her interpretations, made the most of its possibilities. Apart from her vocal gifts, the singer reveals to lxer hearers a charming personality. She seems to share whole-heartedly in their pleasure, and she sa3*s so with a quick, flashing smile, a light in her black eyes, or a little, approving nod of the head. Mr. Sol Deutsch, the violinist, is much more formal. In the face of merited applause lie succeeds in preserving his calm. Last night he invested the changing rhythms of a Mozart rondo with all the delicacy anu sweetness of a charmingly executed composition. Incited to ‘demand an encore to the plaintive “Berceuse. • Paul Juon, and a light and playL sc.herzo by Van Goens, the audiern was granted in satisfying measure rollicking thing that stirred the prose-' even in that frozen hall. . Two more concerts to be given u the party will allow many more Aua landers to fall under the c°mw spell of Giannini’s superb vocal gland her personal charm. REGINALD DENNY AT ROYAL “His Lucky Day.” the latest starring vehicle for Reginald Denny, be shown at the Theatre Royal, kmg>land, tonight. Charles Blayden is a young _ estate dealer who wants to sell adjoining mansions to his sweetnea father. The latter, who thinks self a great reader of character, jdecided that Blayden is a failure* order to check the affair between t> • den and his daughter, he ag re * s . rent one of the houses, but refu buy either until Blayden finds a ant for the second who is 600 equal to the Weavers. . v . In his efforts to make good, den innocently installs a £? n jL, r , crooks in the house adjoining ‘ He discovers his mistake when finds one of the crooks stealing able antiques from Weaver’s co . tion. Weaver, however, is con that his new neighbours are m way desirable, and will not l» Blayden when he tries to warn against them. , . 4.**! “Blindfold,” a thrilling tale oij thieves, and a girl with a lost m is the second feature.

NEW SONGS IN “FOX FOLLIES

A new “blues” eong which destined for instant popularity • its first public appearance “William Fox Movietone or gigantic musical revue and first •_ ever produced for the screen is ody that will find an answering in the hearts of everyone wu been alone in a big city. p “Big City Blues” and it is ? Lola Lane, Broadway favourite^ she was lured from the Great .» Way by Fox. The song u simply, it is said, with Miss the role of the loneeome sm girl in a city, standing beneath lamp in the snow, singing her „ There are occasional flashes ® holiday crowds adding trem to the dramatic effect.

Paramount has commenced duction of "Sweetie.” an origin pcal comedy of college life front of George Marion, junr.. the . known writer of titles for the screen. Nancy Carroll, Li-nnss “Abie's Irish Rose.” “Close P and “The Dance of Lue, starred in the production.