THE KOWALSKI CONCERT COMPANY.

Colonist, Volume XXXV, Issue 7227, 25 January 1892, Page 3

THE KOWALSKI CONCERT COMPANY.

Tms Company will opan a short season at the Theatre Boyal to-morrow night, the delay of their steamer at Napier preventing them reaching Nelson before to-morrow. The several members of this Company are referred to in the highest terms by the Proas, and it is evident that B rare musical treat ia in store for those able to attend the ooncerts. An exohange states that Eowalßki, the great pianist, is a Frenchman descended from an old Irish family on his mother's side, and from an equally old Polish family on his father's side. His mother's family name was Wogan. Her ancestors migrated to France after the fall of the Stuart's. Kowalski's father left Poland a proaoribed man, owing to his devotion to his Fatherland. He became an oflioer in the Frenoh army in 1831, marrying soon after. Kowalski, who manifested exceptional musical talent as a child, studied at the Paris Conservatory from 1851 till 1861, his teachers for execution being Marmontol and Prudent, and for composition Rebor and Carafa. After brilliant suooess as a player and composer he wont to England in 1869 for a season, m\ evoked much

enthusiasm. He paid four visits to America the first in 1876, being engaged with Offer* bach for a concert season. He came to Australia in connection with the Melbourne Exhibition, and gave one hundred oonoerta in Melbourne alons. The decoration he cow wears— that ol " Offioier <?e l'Aoadomie ie Franoe," was granted to him for bis services to Frenoh art in Australia. He has beeulos over 50 oth?r gold decorations of various kinda. Of his musical compositions 121 have been published in the varioua countries of the world, and he is the compose* of several operatic works, including a five-act opera " Gilles de Bretagne," and tha three-act ; comic operal "Le Mouatique." During tha time of the Melboarns Exhibition he waa special correspondent for " La Figaro," and hig descriptive letters wera widely copied. He has also published a book that has had great auceeaa in France, entitled " A Travers Amerique."