DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 38, 17 September 1892, Page 926

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.

>UGH by far the youngest member of the Italian j| < >pera Company. Miss Clarice Brabazon, the young New Zealand pianiste, is unquestionably one of the most popular. In Wellington she is almost equally well known by name as in Auckland, Mr Brabazon of the Insurance Company having spent much of his time and made many friends in Wellington, where he wa.* a member of the Star Boating Club and other popular institutions. Mi*s Brabazon is herself, we believe, also well-known in Wellington, so she will doubtless meet with a warm welcome for her own as well as her music’s sake. During her brief stay in Auckland Miss Brabazon not only made many private friends but by wedding her exceptional talents to a rare simplicity of manner and modesty of demeanour both at the piano and on the stage and off, won the respect and esteem of the music loving publie. Undoubtedly she has before her a great future. It is whispered that an engagement at a salary that would make most bank managers sigh enviously has already been offered Miss Brabazon for a three years’ Continental tour, and that that young lady is • considering the matter.' It is impossible not to be tempted to envy a young woman who looks sixteen or thereabouts, and can deliberate as to whether she will deign to accept a salary that runs well into four figures annually for three years, but at the same time we can rejoice that so young and so charming a New Zealander should have succeeded so signally. A POPULAR shilling entertainment at New Plymouth, arranged by Miss Devenish was very successful, and that young lady merited the congratulation she received. A new arrival from England, Mr Howell, sang ‘ The Picture that is Turned towards the Wall,’ the music being compose! by Mr George Gtrry of New Plymouth. The song is exceedingly pretty, and as a composition would be a ereiit to anyone. The composer accompanied Mr Howell on the piano, playing beautifully. Variou* other songs and recitations were given. The ‘Area Belle' was successfully given for the second part of the entertainment. The Penelope was snlendidly taken by Miss Margaret Hursthonse. The Mrs Croaker of Miss Devenish wa* capital, as wa* Mr G. H. R. R nleston’s rendering of Pitcher. Tosser wa* also well represented by Mr Willie Ktrkby. In musical circles at Nelson the topic of the greatest interest this week has been the performance of Mendelssohn's • Elijah' by the members of the Harmonic Society. One great attraction was the presence of the well-known baritone, Mr Prouse. who had come over from Wellington to take the part of ‘ Elijah,’ and also it being the last concert that Professor Zimmerman would conduct, accounted for the erowdel audience. T'ne principal parts were taken by Mes-lames Houlker, Percy-Adam*, Walker, and Patterson, and Misses Mackay and Campbell, and besides Mr Prouse, Messrs Lucas, Grace, Bennett, Kempthorne and Fell. The performance was a splendid one and Professor Zimmerman deserves great praise for the able way in which he conducted. The orchestra also deserve great credit, for they bore well

the uninterrupted strain imposed on them by such a work a* * Elijah,' where there is not a breathing moment for instrumentalists from beginning to end except in * Lift Thine Eyes.’ On Friday Professor Zimmerman gave his farewell concert in the Provincial Hall, Nelson. He was assisted by Mesdames Honlker and Percy Adams. At the close of the entertainment the Professor, who is to live in Auckland, farewelled by playing ‘ Auld Lang Syne.’ Mr Robt. Parker s lecture on Mozart was very largely attended in Wellington, and proved quite as instructive as it was interesting. The sketch of the great musician’s life was admirably arranged, and the musical illustrations made a pleasant variety during the evening Master Lake, of Christchurch Cathedral, sang ‘ The Violet ’ End ‘ The Manly Heart,’ the latter in conjunction with Mr Parker as a duet. Miss Greig sang very sweetly, and also Mr Mabin, etc., and Mr Spackman played a violin solo, and Mr Parker and Miss Pattetson combined and gave one of Mozart s duets. Mr W. H -Jude has begun a series of lectures at Wellington with musical illustrations, and although the audiences have not been as large as the gifted musician could desire, yet the evening* spent with him have been most enjoyable. The audience is always invited to join in the hymn*, Mr Jade singing the solo and they taking np the chorus. The character of his entertainment was quite a surprise to most people. Mr Jude is really an evangelist, with his whole heart and soul in his mission, but people somehow simply expected him to arrange ordinary concerts, and have hitherto imagined him solely as a talented musician and composer.

‘ Rip Van Winkle ' is being played at the Opera House by the Wellington Amateur Dramatic Society, but it is too late to say anything about it this week. The private theatricals and dance which were given by Mr and Mrs Willie Fitzherbert at the Oddfellows' Hall, Hutt, were much enjoyed by their numerous guests. A special train conveyed a number of visitors to and from town, leaving Wellington at a quarter past seven and bring, ing them back at about half-past one o'clock. The piece chosen was ‘Weak Woman,’ and for private theatricals was extremely well acted. Miss Edith Fairchild and Mis* Burnett had the principal lady parts ; the latter suffered very much from nervousness, but the former looked and acted really well. Miss Wilford proved herself the most capable actress on the stage, but, unfortunately, had very little to do. She was splendidly get up too, and altogether the audience wanted to see more of her. Miss Barnett was too modest altogether over her love affair. If one goes in for that sort of part one should be prepared to carry it out to the life, no matter how- difficult it may be. Of the gentlemen both Dr. Purdy and Mr Clement Kirk were most amusing, and Mr Woolridge did the ardent lover capitally. Mr Fitzherbert and Mr A. Cooper also acted well. At half past ten the chairs were cleared away, and dancing was then kept up until nearly two o’clock. A splendid supper was done ample justice to, and the floor and music were of the best, and with so genial and kind a host and hostess it was impossible for anyone to help thoroughly enjoying themselves. Among the guests were Lady Hector, Miss and Mr Hector, Lady Buckley, Mrs Loughnan. Miss Sutcliffe, Mrs and Miss Stowe. Dr. and Mrs Purdy, Mrs Colbeck, Mr and Mrs Harcourt, Miss Holmes, the Misses Grace, the Misses < Waiter) Johnston, the Misses Fairchild, Miss Ida Cooper, the Misses Burnett, the Misses Johnson, Miss Jackson, and Messrs Cooper, Woolridge, Getting, Baldwin, Anson, Harold, Besiey, Hadfield, C. Cooper, etc. Professor Mason and hi* musical quintette have been in Nelson for a week, and played to gx>l houses. The musical portion of the programme was certainly a treat, Miss Castle being the possessor of a very sweet voice, and singing in a pleasing and unaffected manner. Mr Bergin’s voice is one seldom heard in Nelson, being a full rich baritone, while Mr Cadsoy is the possessor of a clear tenor. Miss Harris is an admirable and sympathetic accompanist. Professor Mason’s lectures were certainly not appreciated. The numerous friend* whom the G*attan Riggs Company have made for themselves iu all parts of the colony, will be glad to hear that the Irish actor and his comrades are doing excellently well in the Auckland Opera House. The plays they have presented have been good, wholesome, stirring melodrama, effectively staged an i efficiently acted. Tnere have been powerful counter attractions in Auckland, but the Riggs Company did not suffer, and though there has been little trumpet blowing, everyone in the northern capital ha* been delighted, and will most heartily welcome another visit ‘ later on.’ THE ACTOR. O man. with your wonderful dower. O woman, with genius and grace. You '■an help the whole w-orld by your power If you are but worthy your place. The stage is a force and a factor In mould ng the thought of the day. If only the heart of the actor 1* high as the theme of the play. Your words and your gestures obeying. We weep or rejoice with your part. And the player behind all hi* playing. He ought to be great »s his art.