THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17078, 16 April 1927, Page 17 (Supplement)

THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

M.Z. Singer in England. Not much has been heard here lately of Rosina Buckman, soprano, who has been in England with her husband (Maurice d’Oisly), the tenor, for some years, but an item from an English paper just received indicates that the New Zealand singer is still prominent in the musical world. The paper refers to Miss Buckman’s appearance at Portsmouth, and says she is singing belter than ever, her beautiful flexible soprano voice, command of expression in tone and face, and wide choice of items making her very popular.

“While in operatic numbers Miss Buckman has no peer," says the paper, “she is equally’ at home in straightforward songs, and the audience always demanded a double encore.”

They All Like New Zealand. Mr Gordon Goldswain, the London violinist who was here a couple of years ago, reports having had an interesting time in Berne and Paris on his way back to London from Lenk, in Switzerland, where he spent the season with his own orchestra. Mr Goldswain writes that of all the places he has visited —and his travels have taken him all over the world —he likes New- Zealand best, and there is a strong probability that he will return here some day and settle.

Melba Still Loves Australia! The announcement by Mr John Lemmone, the flautist, that neither Dame Nellie Melba nor himself would appear professionally after this year introduced a note of regret at the luncheon given by the Musical Association of New South Wales to the singer and her supporting artists at Farmer’s, Sydney, last week. Mr Lemmone told of the time when he and Dame Nellie had made their first public appearance on the stage in Melbourne, at a benefit concert. She was a girl then, and he a boy, but they had been together practically ever since. Now' they had decided to make their farewell together, and this was the i year. I Speaking with obvious emotion, Mr I Lemmone recalled the day when he had first heard Dame Nellie sing. lie declared that the 1 last time he heard tier he w'as thrilled as he had never been thrilled before. Melba: Sit down, John. Mr Frank Hutchens, president of the association, proposed the toast of the principal guest. Melba, he said had ilone so much to bring the Australian fchool of singing to its present pitch I that he looked forward to the day when European artists w'ould not consider that they had had the seal of public approval placed upon their w r ork ’until they had appeared in Sydney-and Melbourne. In supporting the toast Mr Arundel Orchard, director of the State Conser-

vatorium of Music, pointed out that it was a happy fact that the Australian /vorld of music would he represented hy Dame Nellie at the ceremonies at Canberra. The president of the Royal Philharmonic Society (Mr Arthur Wunderlich) also supported the toast. “I love Australia hotter than any place in the world,” declared Dame Nellie. “I love it not only for its blue skies or its sunshine or its wattle, hut for the people, because they are so sincere." Speaking of the artists who were with her, Dame Nellie told how she had first heard Mr Stuart Robertson sing in a village school concert at Esscnden, England. She described Mr Eindley Evans as one, of the greatest accompanists in the world. ‘‘And as for John,” she added, turning to Mr Lcmmone. “What can I say about John, except that 1 love him." Mr Cyril Monk, president of the Itritish Musical Society, and Mr b'aunce Allman proposed the toast of (he supporting artists.

British Tenor Honoured.

While Mr Joseph liislop. the famous tenor, was singing at the Theatre Royal dc la Monnoic, Brussels, the /King and Queen of Belgium attended 1 the opera and received Mr liislop and congratulated him on his singing in “La Bolieme."

Dame IVJelba’3 Farewell to Sydney,

At her farewell concept in Sydney on Wednesday Dame Nellie Melba's programme numbers were: “Porgi Amor,” “Voi Che Sapetc” (Mozart) ; Scena, “Salee! Salcc!” “Are Marie” (< Hello, 4th act) (Verdi), “Clair de Lune” (Szulo), “Les Papillons” (Chausson), “Serenade” (Richard Strauss). Mr Stuart Robertson (British basso) sang “The Jolly Miller" (Arr. by Quilter), “There is a Lady Sweet and Kind” (Thomas Ford, f till century), “Over the Mountains” (Arr. by Quilter), Hungarian Folk Songs, “Marishka," “Shepherd, Sec Thy Horse's Foaming Mane” (Korbay). Mr John Lcmmone, flautist, played "Idyll by the Brook” (with orchestra). Mr Limllcy Evans, pianist, played “Variations Symphoniquc” (Cesar Franck), with orchestra. The Conservatorium Orchestra (Conductor, Mr Arundel Orchard) plsyed Overture, “Re Nozze d' Figaro” (Mozart), Scherzo from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Mendelssohn), Symphonic Poem, “Phaeton” (SaintSaens).

Paderewski’s Most-prized Possession. One of the most-prized possessions of M. Paderewski, who is in Australia and comes to New Zealand shortly, is a largo autographed photograph of Queen Victoria, which, in a massive silver frame, occupies the place of honour in the drawing-room at ltiand Bosson, on Lake Geneva. During the war M. Paderewski took a vow never to play again in public, and instead to devote the rest of his life to the scrvicc-of Poland. His political downfall, however, caused him to change his mind, and, a much disappointed man, he retired to his country seat at Morgcs, near Lausanne. Owing to threats made against his life by political adversaries, he employed a private detective while in residence at Morges. A true story is lolci of a certain celebrity who called at the house to pay his respects to the great pianist. As they were moving from one room to another the visitor stood back tolet. his host pass first, whereupon M. PaHcrewski gavg him.n vigorous push ia.SbfiJbfifiSr' 1 -- : -

A RIDICULOUS SALARY! ; “ROSE MARIE’’ COMEDIAN SUED. ; Mr Billy Merson, the comedian, gave evidence in London in the action in 1 which he is being sued for commission by Mr Ernest Edelsten, theatrical com- , mission agent. Mr Edelsten is claiming to recover £670 13s, being com- ! mission at the rate of 5 per cent, on Mr Merson’s salary as “Hard Boiled Herman” in “Rose Marie” at Drury ! Lane Theatre, on the ground that he secured him the engagement. Mr Merson’s salary was at first £3OO a week, and was subsequently raised to £360 a week. The alleged agreement is denied by ’ Mr Merson, who pleaded alternatively that if there was an agreement it was determined by Mr Edelsten on January 17, 1025. Before Mr Merson went into the box Mr Edelsten gave further evidence in support of bis case. In February, 1925, Mr Edelsten said be saw Mr Merson in his dressing-room at a Liverpool* theatre, Mr Merson, referring to the “Bose Marie" engagement, said: "Well, you have not clone such a lot towards it,” and offered him £IOO in settlement of any claim he might have. He refused the offer. Mr G. A. Bennett, K.C., for Mr Merson, cross-examining, referred to Mr Merson’s letter of January 17, 1925. “Your first effort to do my business has made me realise what a good agent Barclay is, and in future I think I shall do quite nicely myself.” Asked if he did not understand the letter to be a withdrawal of authority to negotiate in the engagement, Mr Edelsten replied: “Certainly not. It w 7 as a kidding letter.” Mr Bennett: He w'as trying to kid you ?—Surely. Mr Justice Russell: Would you mind telling us what you mean by a “kidding letter”? Mr Edelsten: Perhaps it is a little vulgar to say “kidding." It was legpulling. Mr Justice Russell: I don’t think that leg-pulling is very refined. Mr Lee Ephraim, a director of the company that produced “Bose Marie" at Drury Lane Theatre, said he was introduced to Mr Merson by Mr Edelsten, who, after Mr Merson left, said: “There is your Hard Boiled Herman.” He replied: “Quite right; but I don’t think we can get him." Mr Edelsten said: “I think I can.” He was told to go ahead and try. Mr Merson wanted £350 a week, but Mr Edelsten was authorised to offer £3OO. Mr Billy Merson, who said his real name was William Henry Thompson, gave evidence that when Mr Edelsten offered him £3OO a week he told him the terms were ridiculous, and after the letter he wrote on January 17 he never saw' or spoke to Mr Edelsten with respect to the engagement until after the contract was signed Ha

arranged to pay Mr Gulliver £6O a week for six months for releasing him for the "Rose Marie" engagement. He subsequently joked Mr Edelsten about his incompetence to get him his terms. Mr Edelsten asked: "Where do 1 come in?" ond he (Mr Merson) replied: "You don't come in at all, but because of the trouble you have taken 1 will make you a present of £100." Mr Spens: Have you ever been engager! at a higher salary than £4OO a week? —No. Mr Justice Russell (giving judgment) said he had to decide as between Mr Edelsten and Mr Merson, whose memory was best to be trusted as to what look place, lie said he preferred the recollection of Mr Edelsten to that of Mr Merson. He was quite satisfied that a contract was made to employ Mr Edelsten, and was satisfied that it was never determined. In his opinion Mr Merson knew throughout that lie was liable to pay commission. There would be judgment for Mr Edelsten for £fj7o tils, with costs.