Age of Opera.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1929, Page 26 (Supplement)

Age of Opera.

Opera (says “John o’ London’s Weekly”) is nearly 325 years bld, for the opera generally regarded as the first to be heard was Peri’s “Euridice,” which was first performed on October 6, 1600, at the private theatre of the Medici in Florence. The first French opera is believed to have been the Pastoral “Pomone,” by Cambert, performed in Paris in 1671, but it was Lulli’s subsequent “Les Fetes de TAmoiir et de Bacchus”, which gave opera" its vogue in France. Germany’s great opera history begins with Schutz’s . “Dafne,” performed* in 1640, and’ British opera had its beginnings in 1656, when Da venant set the ball rolling with an entertainment bearing that title. Wo would give a good deal for gramophone records of that music of the seventeenth century as it was actually heard then,' the' clavier-playing and organ-playing of Bach, or the first orchestral music. Criticism Criticised. Other people'in London, besides the American actress who recently, “wholeheartedly on behalf of America,” smacked the face of Mr. Hannen Swaffer, think hard things of him, as was noticed at a recent meeting of the Critics’ circle. Those who spoke included George-Barnard ' Shaw, Sir Gerald du Maurier and R. S. Sheriff, author of “Journey’s End.” Mr. St. John Ervine, who presided over the distinguished company, remarked, in his introductory speech, that there was a great deal of talk about who ought to be a critic and who ought not to be a critic. The members of ‘heir craft, he said; could be divided into three groups:—(l)• Critics; (2) reporters; •(/!) Hannen Swaffer. Another speaker. Sir Gerald du Maurier. told the gathering that he had been talking to a famous dramatist, and had mentioned that Mr. Swaffer had had spirit coiiimiiii'.fat’oii with Lord Northeliffrv whereupon the dramatist remarked, “Well. what’s I;.-’ use of dying?” *