THE LARGNETTE

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 949, 6 March 1897, Page 9

THE LARGNETTE

Mb Alfhed F. Hill's cantata * Hinemoa,' descriptive of the most poetic and beautiful of Maori legends, has achieved a striking success in Auckland. For three successive nights this week it has been performed in the presence of crowded houses in the City Hall, and has fully realised ali that precedent report had led the public to anticipate. The cantata is the joint work of two young native-bora New Zealanders, the libretto having been written in choice and graceful verse by Mr Arthur H. Adams, a clever young pressman on the literary staff of the Wellington Post, and the music having been composed by Mr Alfred Hill,(son of Mr Chas. Hill, who for many years was a wellknown and highly respected tradesman in Auckland).

Judged on the merits of his cantata, Mr Alfred Hill possesses constructive musical talent of a very high order indeed. His work manifests considerable power of originality, a mastery of musical form and command of orchestral resources, the gift of exquisite melody, and a rare faculty of seizing and imparting to his work the charm and witchery of characteristic local colour. I do not hesitate to pronounce 'Hinemoa' to be the finest and most original musical composition that has ever been prodnosd in these colonies. The Bubject ie local, and its treatment is thoroughly artistic, and at the same time broad aud distinctive.

I am convinced that Mr Hill's genius has not been snfficiently realised in Wellington, or the musical people there would not have parted with him so lightly. At the same time I am glad for his own sake that he is seeking a broader theatre for the exercise of his talents, for his remarkable musical gifts are bound to win him enduring distinction.

The cantata opens with a sweet arid pensive little melody which forms the leit motif of the work. It is the burden of Tntanekai's subsequent flute solo, and it recurs at frequent intervals throughout the work, and is always very happily introduced. It is said that Mr Hill caught the inspiration for it from a lament which he heard chanted by some natives in the Poverty Bay district. J

A bright and spirited chorus of Maori maidens leads up to a really exquisite ballad by Hinemoa Then follows a very striking and powerful chorus of Maori warriors which is quite a tour de force in its way. The strainß are savage, fierce and vengeful and a very effective use* is made of both choral and orchestral resources to conjure up a forcible tone picture of the Maori wardance. No one who has seen the real thing can doubt the masterful talent with which Mr Hill has seized its spirit and adapted it to his purpose. .Both ballad and chorus were nightly encored with the utmost enthusiasm. After this we have a finely conceived duet between Hinemoa and Tiki (her lover's friend) and then the fascinating ' Lake Music ' by moonlight, with the sad and suave notes of Tufcanekai's flute thrilling in the tranquil air — a really captivating number. A singularly sweet and melodious love ballad by Tutaneki is followed by another delightful lyric from Hinemoa (the flute being heard at intervals), then a couple of admirable choruses for fairies, a lovely duet for the lovers (one of the gems with which the cantata is studded) and a powerful chorus of Maori men and maidens working up to a highly effective finale.

My allowance of apace is nearly exhansted, and I must - deal with the performers very briefly. The Auckland Amateur Opera Olnb deserve great credit for the capital manner in which they sane the choruses Excellent, also, were the orchestra, with Mr Ovide Mnain as chef d'attaque. On the first night they were in a very awkward position at the back of the stage, and their loudness of tone waß a notable blemish. But these drawbacks were cured on the other two nights. Madame Musin, as Hinemoa, sang her music charmingly; but her enunciation was not sufficiently distinct. Mr Geo. Reid, as Tutanekai also sang with great taste and correctness of phrasing. In the passage preceding the duet, however, the lower register of his voice was unequal to the compass of the music. Although rather husky, Mr Abel Rowe, as Tiki acquitted himself with credit, and so did Mr Arohdale Toyler.

v Warm praise is due to Mr Theo Qneree for the really ornate and highly appropriate inann6r in which he had dressedthe stage with; native foliage and Maori carvings and mats. There was a miniature -Maori whare at one of the front corners of the f'age, ajid; 'Hinemoa ' in. large •letters, of f ohage^vfurig frdin the flftlß 6ver:'th§ h'eiols of the pafformera. ■ ~';

Carl Hertz brought to a close on Tuesday night a very profitable season at the Opera Houser His entertainments were most enjoyable, and when he returns from his tour of the goldfields the Auckland public will be' glad to welcome him back again,, and to crowd to see him, marvel at hia tricks and watch his moving pictures as before.

The ever-popular Pollards are with us once again, and to-night (Thursday) they inaugurate a season of fourteen nights at the Opera House /with the production .of that extremely pretty arid highly amusing opera,_ i ' Boccaccio.' ' ' It is many years now since it was last performed in Auckland, and the Pollards have received extremely flattering notices for the very successful manner in which they have been playing it down South. It is said to be one of the strongest bills in their large and varied repertoire.

It now transpires that Actor Alf. Woods's real name is Cork. One by one the roses fade ! Cork, eh ?

Bland Holt's leading man,the fascinating W. E. Baker, got hit on the head with a piece of scenery at Melbourne Royal the other day. The scenery probably got tired of the everlasting goodness of that boisterous hero.

Stella Esdaile, the well - known t'other Bide pro., says she received the following letter from an unknown masher the. other day : — ' Dear Miss Esdaile,— l was at the matinee" on Wednesday, and at the first sight of yon I feel that I would like to be acquainted with yon. Something seems to tell me that I must write and get to know you, and in the night it seems as if I must always he thinking about you. Would you kindly be just at that arcade where the Hotel Arcadia stands, and be beside the entrance of the arcade. It is just a few doors off from the theatre. Be there if you are able on Saturday evening from 7 p.m. to 7.15 p.m., or on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., or in the evening at the same time. If you are afraid, bring someone with you, as Miss Minna Phillips. I hope you will not tell anyone of this letter, and I hope I 'shall be there at the right time. Ido not know where you live or I should have written to you and then have come and seen you. You may, have seen me on Wednesday in the front seatsjust near the stage. Forgive me if I am wrong, and I hope you are not vexed with me writing to you, but I felt aa if I must fet to know you. Oh, do come ! May God less you and keep you for ever under his protecting power, and Our Lord and Saviour J esns Christ be ever with you and guide you through this world.' There is a lot more of this sort of thing. The epistle is signed 1 Yours faithfully. I Will Make Myself Known To You When I Meet You.' Say, Stella ! Receiving anonymous letters from pious masb era is almost as good an advertisement as getting £5000 worth of jewellery stolen.

Hon. W Rolleston was in town this week. The Auckland people recognised him by his pictures in the Observes.

The National Oddfellows' Picnic at Pine Island has been postponed till Saturday week, 20th inst. So effort is being spared to .invest it with all manner of attractions.

Notice is given elsewhere that subscriptions in respect of the lending branch of the Free Public Library are- now as follows : 10/- per annum ; 5/- half-yearly ; or 3/- quarterly.

'Any port in a storm ' is an old saw, but there is only one Premier Picnic, and, it takes place on Saturday next, March 6th, at Lake Takapnna.

John Page, for many years a member of the firm of Munro and Page, farriers, has retired from the above partnership and established himself in business on his own account, in newly erected premises, at the corner of Durham and Albertstreets. Mr Page has located himself in a central and easily get-at-able position, and in a building admirably adapted for the carrying on of his business. We wish him all the successiihat his capacity as a tradesman and his merit as a citizen deserves, and would recommend all our frienpa in need of a farrier's services to pay a visit to the Central Shoeing Forge.