THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17586, 15 December 1928, Page 17 (Supplement)

THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Dame Melba In London. Dame Nellie Melba has arrived in London. She was welcomed at Victoria station by friends, and proceeded to her residence in Cadogan Square. In an interview the prima donna said she had no plans and no contracts. She intended to remain two years, and would visit France and Italy. She was absolutely on pleasure bent. Dame Nellie intends to found a Parisian Conservatorium of Music.

Qold Watch For Mr Gravestock. Mr E. J. Gravestock has a practical proof of the generous nature of Shura Gherkassky, the Russian boy pianist. On a recent evening he received a gold wristlet watch bearing the inscription above the boy's name, "To my dear friend, E. J. Gravestock, in remembrance of my first visit to Australia," Musical Moments. Joseph Hislop was recently singing in opera in Sweden. Artists engaged for the winter in London include Kreisler, Chaliapine, Florence Austral, the trio Cortot-Thi-baud-Casals, and John M'Cormack. "The Messiah." "The Messiah," the seasonable oratorio, is being sung in several towns this year. At Hamilton it will be sung in St. Paul's Church on Tuesday, under the baton of Mr T. S. Webster. The Auckland Choral Society gave its 75th performance of "The Messiah" on Thursday evening. The soloists were Miss Alma McGruer, Miss Beryl Smith, Mr Birrell O'Malley, and Mr Frank Sutherland. The society hart the assistance of a full chorus and orchestra, under the direction of Mr Colin Muston, and also the Royal Auckland Male Choir, while Mr Maugham Barnett, city organist, presided at the grand organ. At Wellington to-night the Choral Union, of 300 voices, will have the following soloists: —Miss Christina Ormiston (soprano), Miss Mina Caldow (contralto). Mr Hubert Carter (tenor), and Mr William Walters (bass). Mr John Bishop is musical director. The same soloists will be heard at Nelson on Monday. In the Christchurch Harmonic Society's performance of the oratorio to-night the soloists will be Miss

Naomi Whallcy (soprano), Miss Doro-

1 thy Spiller (contralto), Mr Harold Prcsrolt (tenor), and Mr W. J. Spralt (bass). Invcrcargill gave two performances this week, with the following soloists: Soprano, Madame Winnie I'raser; contralto, Miss U. Skinner; tenor, Mr L. E. Dalley; bass, Mr J. E. Taylor.