GRACE NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19238, 27 November 1930, Page 11

GRACE NOTES

(BY VIVACE.) Last year Mary Garden, famous operatic star, declared: “The radio has already finished the concert in America, and sooner or later the talking movies are going to finish opera, not only here, but all over the world. Eventually sound pictures will be the one and only form of entertainment.” Strange, the great concert artists are still drawing down big fees and packing out houses. Of course, she may be right. Many old-fashioned arts and crafts have gone before the advance of this mechanical age, but then, photography has not yet ousted painting, nor the typewriter the use of the pen and pencil. The theatre has suffered, some wilj say. Admitted, if by that it is meant that there are fewer plays being produced. ‘‘The New Moon” and “The Belle of New York” plajed to packed houses in Christchurch during their short season here. In Sydney “The Belle'’ lasted six weeks with every house packed, and could have played for six more had it been possible to adjust the dates. What has happened is what has alwrfys happened, and what will always happen. Every new way of displaj'ing or performing any art merely broadens the field, without interfering with the legitimate functions of the old ways. The movies haven’t killed the theatre; they have killed a lot of bad plays. Mediocre concerts have been hurt by the radio; .he good ones haven’t. Great opera, great orchestras and great artists will always find audiences, talkies and radio notwithstanding. Who will grieve oyer the passing of the mediocre? Years ago it was said that the gramophone would damage ihe concert. W hat it did was to widen the field for the concert artist, for it took music to those who had never been to a concert. In the same way radio programmes that do not preserve a reasonably high standard in these days make listeners return to their olcT love, the gramophone, which always gives them the concert they want, and never varies in its performance. RECORD REVIEWS. Columbia. One of the interesting features of the December Columbia issue is a list of recordings by well-known stage favourites: Ada Reeve, Hector St Clair, Roy Rene (“Mo”' Colin Crane. Nell Fleming and Byri Walklev, all ot whom sing

popular numbers or else compositions of their own. Included in the bundle sent me for review was" Roy Rene’s “Mr Macachie,” a smart comic effort which occupies both sides of the disc. Most people remember the visit of “Stiffy” and “Mo” to the Opera House a year or two ago and will be glad to make the acquaintance of this comedian through the medium of the gramophone. The Columbia Light Opera Company have made a series of twelve-inch dark blue discs featuring the vocal successes of gone but not forgotten musical comedies. It will be remembered that last month selections from “The Country Girl.” “Merry Widow,” and “Maid of the Mountains” were released as orchestral fantasias. This month new versions of “The Country Girl” are equally Well, done, and should achieve a similar degree of popularity. The items from “The Country Girl” are as follows Part I—The Rajah of Bhong; Peace. Peace: Try Again. Johnnie; Vo, Ho, Little Girls, Vo Ho. Part 2 Coo; Under the Deodar; Two Little Chicks; excerpts Finale, Act l. Chapham and Dwyer, London’t two most popular radio entertainers, excel themselves in a comedy sketch entitled “Making a Talkie.” They are apparently equipped with all the neees-