"FALSTAFF" (VERDI).

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6362, 17 December 1898, Page 7

"FALSTAFF" (VERDI).

(By TOMTOM.) To ' readers of " Shakspere the name FalstafE .is well known ; the 'music composed by Giuseppe Verdi, the greatest operatic composer of .'this _cento]ry,.i r of i the opexa . 1' Falstaff," 1 Is.- comparatively, un- ; known in- the colonies. . -.■Produced in liondon,. In 1893, it -..followed the other ■ Shaksperian -" OfceHo,'' irwhieh, when pro--duced at Scala under Faccio on Feb. 6, 1887, caiigedf'-tinparalleled : (enthusiasm throughout Continental .musical circles. " Falstaff " differs from the opera "Aida," "Luisa Miller," "ftrnani" or " n Trovatore/* Verdi's variety ' in the style of his operas shows a range of ability unique, and belonging but to Giuseppe Verdi. He was bora on Oct. 9, 1814 j consequently at' date is over eightyfive years of age, is an ardent cyclist, and i 3 mentally bright and still composing music. His sublime works will — like those of Mozart, Beethoven, Spohr, Meyerbeer, Rossini/etc!— have a life, when the genius who has. composed them has crossed the divide and is at rest. . No composer is so well known in Maoriland as Verdi. From a recent list published in these columns, he has figured 2 to lof any other /composer. Writing from memory, I quote the following played a3 test pieces _^by various . J&aoriland. bands- at; contests 18SSU— "jjabii-. cqdoßosQr," -."1., Lomtardij" ".""" Ernani,"v " l^xaasL^DS^r" ,- I' -Stii^io" ;' r Kigqlettro," ".TJn.Ballo in. _ Iklaschera," " iidji,"' " La Txaviata/' and the special arrangement by Mr Henry Bound, " .Verdi," the special test for..: I££3, /wVereiiti wese. geip.s fromf " Macbeth,' 3 and- other ppjerasl, Oamafu Garrison's "/EemSaiscences. of Verdi," arranged ByJSergeant James TSfitchell,' and played" herein November, 1889, was a magnificent selection colonially arranged, and won the .£IOO • ; Christchurch Garrison, with Verdi's " I Ebmbardi," winning the second prize of JESO. I assert, without fear of contradiction; that the inspired Italian's music holds pride of place throughout the colonies, and " Falstaff " will go a long way to clinch that statement. From the weird opening, and through each movement, there is the master mind and melodies " Verdian." The euphonium and trombone solos are seductive, indeed, whilst the special work allotted to the solo cornet cannot be excelled for beauty. "Falstaff," like "Wagner's music, is of an insinuating order; at first it sounds uncommon, but familiarity breeds a charm — one that players and listeners are free to acknowledge. This year!s test Ib. brief, but teems with, intricacies. From, the time taken by six" of the competing bands on " Fabtaff," it is plain th'aC cbndnctors hold widely different ideas regardIng the interpretation. Tho judge will

have, the sole privilege of deciding that allimportant question, hence no further remarks. "Falstaff" is a musical problem, ' and one thai should be a lasting credential | to Mr Ord-Hurae's reputation • as an ar- ! ranger, and to Verdi as an inspired com- ■ I poser. - I The following list of Verdi's operas should prove interesting to bandsmen : — " Oberto J di San Bonefacio," 1839; "Un giorno di Regno," 1840; " Nabucodonosor," 1842; "I Lombard'," 1843; "Erani" and "I duo Foseari," 1544; "Giovanna d'Avco," | 1845; "Alzira," 1845; "Attila," 1546; " Macbeth/' 1847 ; " I Masnadieri " and '" Jerusalem," 1847; "II Corsaro," 184S ; "La battaglia de Legnano " and " Luisa Miller," 1849; " Stifellio," 1850' " Rigoletto," 1851 ; "II Ti-ovatore " and "La Traviata " (" The Misguided One "), . 1853 ; " Less . Vepres Sicilliennes," . .1855 ; ." Simon . BpccajjTgßga/.'',lSp7 :. "ArQldo".and' "tTri" b'atfd^n J^ph'era, ,1857'; "La fojrzfc die' DestinioV? '.IS]B2';"" "Macbeth'" (revised), 1865; "ifofi "Carlos'/'. iSerjv -'"Aida/* "T871 ; "Simon : jboecanegra" "''(revised) ISSI, " Otellp" in/ 1857, . ; "Palstaff " . XS'SS.^ Speaking, of the renowned compose'r/^ir^ George Grove writes as follows : — " Amongst living composers Verdi is undoubtedly the most universally popular. What posterity will think of this judgment passed by Verdi's contemporaries we do not know, but certainly he will always rank amongst the greatest composers of operatic music of all ages, and amongst all ages and amongst all nations, because seldom, if ever, is to be fonnd such truth and power of feeling expressed in a clearer or simpler way." ■