THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17326, 11 February 1928, Page 17 (Supplement)

THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Concert In Hamilton. A concert that is sure to be very popular will be given at the Hamilton Town Hall shortly. Mr and Mrs Cyril Towsey, of Auckland (pianist and singer respectively), and Mr J. F. Montague (elocutionist) have kindly offered to give a concert on behalf of the Plunket-Beautifying Society. The cause is a worthy one, and the artists are gifted, so a large audience is assured. Grand Opera Voice Trials.

In preparation for the GonsalezFuller season of grand opera, opening on March 10, further voice trials for the chorus took place at St. James Theatre, Sydney. No fewer than 130 applicants were tested on the previous Monday. Vocal quality was the first thing to assess, and that left in the running about four score'singers —38 sopranos, 14 mezzos 14 contraltos, and a mixed dozen i,r so of tenors, baritones and basses. The Gonsalez Company includes a permanent chorus, which tours every-

where with the principals. The Australian contingent will add another 25 voices, bringing the chorus up to full grand opera strength. The task was to test the applicants in such technical matters as scales, intervals, and sight-reading. This led to the downfall of many, but enough of the best voices survived to make up the numbers required. The tests, by the way, have been the means of discovering some beautiful voices. “11 Trovatore” is the opera selected for the gala night, and the first week will also include two other Verdi operas—“La Traviata” and -“Un Ballo” —and Gounod’s “Faust” or Ambroise Thomas’s “Mignon.” The season’s repertoire will further he selected from the following; “Rigoletto,” “Carmen,” “Fra Diavolo,” “Martha,” “Norma,” “Tannhauser,” “Lohengrin,” “Lucia,” “La Gioconda,” “The Barber of Seville, "Ernani,” “La Favorite,” Boite’s “Meflstofele,” and Massenet’s “Manon.”

Signor Gonsalez lias arrived, in advance of his Italian company, to complete preparations. The prices for the opening performance for reserved stalls and dress circle will be 12s 6d, stalls 6s, and grand circle 4s. Dame Butt's Daughter Opens Shop. Miss Joy Rumford, Clara Butt’s tall daughter, has joined the vast army of business girls, and has started an exclusive “Woollies” shop in Grafton St., Mayfair (says a London correspondent). Meanwhile, Dame Clara has gone to India. Her husband (Kennedy Rumford) has been at Sandwich Bay recently playing golf, and staving with friends who have a house there. Teacher of Violin Leaving. Mrs A. C. Johnson has decided to take up her residence in Sydney, and will sail shortly. Her friends here wish her success and happiness. Mrs Johnson has -disposed of her teaching connection to Miss Rennie, who has been studying the violin for eight years, four years of which were unaer the tuition of Mrs Johnson. Lately she has been visiting Auckland for special tuition. Miss Rennie has had four years’ teaching experience. Tribute to Ex-Hamiltonian. In taking over the musical directorship of the Paramount Orchestra at Wellington, Mr L. D. Austin paid a compliment to the retiring director, Mr Gladstone Hill. Mr Austin told the members of the orchestra that he had listened to them with pleasant surprise, as he had not expected to hear such excellent playing. Mr Hill suitably acknowledged the compliment. New Orchestra at Royal. A new orchestra has been engaged for the Theatre Royal, consisting of Mrs Morton (pianist). Miss Heywood (’cellist), Messrs Prime (violinist), Houghton (cornetist), and Parkhouse (trombonist). The new orchestra is already shaping well, and with further playing together should soon be an excellent combination. It is to be hoped that at both the Tiieatre Royal and the Strand Theatre a greater feature will be made of the music than in the past. As I stated last week, other towns are featuring the orchestral programmes. Musical Moments. Mrs Cyril Towsey, of Auckland, has decided to start the teaching of singing and voice culture in Hamilton. The annual report of the Palmerston North Orchestral Society states that a considerable sum has been spent on new music and the purchase of a trombone. Funds in hand amount to £l3l 12s 7d, and the total assets are £291 8s 7d, while the liabilities are nil, thus making the position of the society financially strong.

Charlie Chaplin for Europe. Syd Chaplin, the film actor, has made arrangements to take his more

famous brother Charlie over to Europe in , the near future. “Locations”- have already been selected in Switzerland, and there is in consequence every hope of seeing Charlie Chaplin being funny on skis.

News from the Studios. Karl Dane-George Arthur team in “ Detectives.” Shirley Mason signed by Columbia for two big ones for Master Pictures release this year. George Lewis, Eddie Phillips, “Collegians” stars, co-featured by Universal in “We Amercans.” Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall co-star in “Lady Be Good” for First National. It is estimated that £543,000,000 is invested in the world’s cinemas, America accounting for 62.6 per cent of the total.

“China Bound,” the Laurence Stallings adaptation of a Ben Ames William sea story, will be Ramon Novarro’s next starring vehicle. Monte Blue, popular leading man, has been signed to play the principal male role in “Southern Skies," now being produced by M.G.M. in Tahiti. It is stated that, Australia pays America approximately £BOO,OOO annually in film hire, through the various exchanges which have been established. “Plastered in Paris” will be the title for the new co-starring vehicle of Ted McNamara and Sammy Cohen. This comedy, team appeared in “What Price Glory” and “The Gay Retreat.” Ralph Forbes, who won popularity in “Beau Geste,” is working in scenes for “Pullman Feathers,” wherein Norma Talmadge is the star. He is also to be seen with the same actress in "The Actress.”

In Wellington, at the De Luxe Theatre, “Ben Ifur” beat the existing theatre record for a two weeks’ season established by “The Ten Commandments” at the theatre opening by £BOO. First National finishes Warner Fabian’s “Sailor’s Wives.” Mary Astor and Lloyd Hughes co-starred. Paramount casts William Powell in big roie in “Wings,” companion air picture, “The Legion of tho CondernoML" ~