MUSICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10441, 22 April 1912, Page 3

MUSICAL NOTES.

" I believe that, more people go to the concert hall purely for the love of music in America than in any other country/' declared Harold Bauer, the pianist, in a recent interview, "consequently I would rather play in America than in Europe." A sixteen-year-old Australian pianist named "Winifred Furnell has been acclaimed by the Berlin critics as one of the most, extraordinary .young players of her sex that have vet been known.

A fatal case ' of stage fright has been reported by the manager of thu Grand Opera House in Paris. iVI. Mm£nere, a tenor, who, after careful tr<rning, had been accepted for lending parts, and who, according to the icport, had "appeared to good ago at dress rehearsals," was so ovc.comovby fright when he faced his first audience that "he tremble:!, in every limb and his voice could not be rescued from the tremolo of fright." On the day following he appeared as Lohengrin, and again his voice forsook him because of nervousness, and after Ihe second act his ease was pronounced incurable, and his colleague, Herrmann Fontaine, took his place. " I shall pursue a, less dangerous profession," said tho man with stage fright, " and shall begin with aviation." Madame Ada Crossley, the famous contralto, has returned to London, after having toured the principal English and Scottish towns with the Harrison Concert Company. Madame Crossley, who was in magnificent voice, had, we read, a most enthusiastic reception whenever she appeared, her full rich tones and charming personality quito captivating her audiences. Says a London paper :~ T Mr Ben Davies, the well-known tenor, who, with Miss Esta D'Argo, recently toured Australia, has just returned to England. His Melbourne season was unfortunately given during the visit to that city of the Melba. Opera Company —which, on account of the magnificent singing of Madame Melba and tho allround general excellence of the company, created a furore -and .<-0 his visit to that city was not so successful as if should have been. This may. in :i slightdegree, account for this famous tenor's remark that he " really didn't care for Australians.''

Further particulars of Madame Clara Butt's recent tc'i:- of Europe shows that she sanpc vvltn great success in Berlin, Prague, Dresden, and in all the other cities in which she appeared. In Berlin, where she sa.ng under th;' direction of Dr Kunv.'alrJ, nt 1 miharmonic Hall, she received an ovation, the audience advancing: to the stago demanding encores. The threat contralto trave live encores., and was subseqiteritlv bidden to the Imperial box. where sho was personally complimented bv Princess Louise of Prussia and Princess Marie, only daughter of the Kaiser. In Vienna her triumph Mas no less remarkable. She was heard at the famous Musikereins-Snale, and ;j;ave a. wonderful programme of Enjilish, French, German and ita.lian songs from tho pens of such composers as Elaar, Gilrino; Thomas. Debussy. Boellinvon, Schubort and Brahms. Tbe \ ion->•-■• new-spapers spoke of her i" 'ht' Highest ♦'■[•[ll3.

MEETINGS OF PARISHIONERS ALL iSALXTS, PREBBLETON. The annual meeting of parishioners of All Saints, Prebbleton, was 'neld on Friday evening. There was a. large attendance, and the meeting was one nf the mast successful held for many vears. The vicar, in his report, referred tn the largo attendance of children at the daily doming class, and to ■'■ lie missionary ze.-i.l of the district. The treasurer presented a very satisfactory balance .sheet. All the mission collections had been splendid, and in addition to the large offerings given to the .Maori and Melanesian missions. £ll is Id had bee.ii sent to the Maori Girls' School at Ohoka.. The Sunday School superintendent- spoke of the flourishing state of the school. The clioir secretary reported that during the year the choir had procured and paid for a small harmonium for practice purposes, The attendance of the choir had been excellent, and the members had made a, rule that absence meant resignation. The ,iM ngii/.ine fund was shown to be in a very nourishing state. It was decided to hold a working bee- to improve the church yard. The following officers were appointed :—Vicar's warden, lUr W. Witte ; people's warden, Mr F. "W. Carpenter; ve«try, .Messrs C. J. Prebble, J. M'Nnlly, J. Hartnell. G. Gawler, A. Gabbatis, J, Yeat-man, J. W. Patchett, W. Dowiies and J. Coleman. The plans for the bell bazaar, which is to be held on .May 1 and 2, were discussed. ST ANDREW'S. TINWALD. The annual meeting of the parishioners nl St Andrew's Anglican Church, Tinwald. was held on Thusrday evening, when the vicar, the Rev B. G. fox. presided over a large attendance. The report showed that during the year an increase had taken pln.ee in the communicants, who now numbered 1,30. The churchwardens reported n credit balance on the year's working. The following were elected officers lor the ensuing year:—People's warden, -Mr I). Teppett; vesirv, Messrs J>. Teppett, C. Jennings, T. Robinson, W. Doherty and FT. N. Watson ; delegates to the district vestrv, Messrs Teppett and Jennings. Votes of thanks were passed to the vicar, choirmaster, vestry. Sunday School teachers and tbo caretaker, also to Messrs Millichanip Bros and Clark Bros for donations of flowers. At the close a social was held, when a musical programme was rendered.