Music and Drama.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XIII, 18 September 1897, Page 396

Music and Drama.

TE very large audience that assembled in the Auckland Choral Hall last week to hear Handel’s • Israel in Egypt ’ was doubtless as much a tribute to the performers as to the composer of the oratorio. It must be confessed the work is of a severe character, and one which the average music lover who has been brought upon lighter diet might pronounce ’slow.’ When it was first produced this same fault was found with the composition, and in the second performance it was found advisable to introduce a sprinkling of airs, quite foreign to the original conception of the oratorio, to relieve its solemn and substantial grandeur. Whether audiences of to-day are better able to appreciate such a work than the audiences of a hundred and fifty years ago may be questioned, even while it is admitted that a distinct advance has been made in the mnsical education of the masses. Probably there were a good many at the Choral Hall the other night who found * Israel in Egypt’ rather beyond them. So far as this performance was concerned the Society, vocalists and instrumentalists, did everything to commend the work to the ear of the Philistine, while those who know and understand the compositions of the great master were delighted. A great deal of heavy labour was thrown on the chorus through the necessary curtailment of the oratorio. Owing to this shortening the singers had to sing half a dozen or more heavy concerted pieces in succession. Taking this fact into consideration, the spirit and correctness with which they sang was wonderful. In the famous * Hailstone Chorus,’ the efforts of the singers were greatly appreciated, and the item had to be repeated. The other choruses deserving notice were ‘ He Sent a Thick Darkness ’ and ‘Sing Veto the Lord for He Hath Triumphed.’ The soloists on the occasion were Miss Thomson (soprano), Mrs Geddis (mezzo soprano), Mr Ferriday (tenor), Rev. A. Mitchell and Mr W. Musker (basses). They were all well received, displaying as they did a keen interest in their work, and no little mastery over the difficulties of it. The orchestra was led by Dr. Cox, while Professor Schmitt wielded the baton as usual.

The Westland Operatic Society gave on Friday evening to a crowded house in Hokitika Gilbert and Sullivan’s delightful opera, ‘ Trial by Jury.’ It was their first effort, and was most successful, and if they are a Wise Society they will take up another opera without loss of time, as practice makes perfect The chorus of bridesmaids went with a good swing, and their dresses were very pretty, some really handsome. The plaintiff, Miss Tait, in a bridal robe, did her part well, making allowance for a little nervousness, but I consider her voice, though sweet, hardly powerful enough for opera. Miss Kura Duncan was the chief bridesmaid, and very pretty she looked in a white crepon skirt, and bodice of blue satin trimmed with lace ; white hat and feathers. Mr W. Russell was the judge, ‘ and a good judge, too.’ Dr. Macandrew, the defendant, took the palm both for acting and singing, the audience being able to hear all he said or sang, which is an accomplishment to which sufficient attention is seldom paid, in singing especially. Messrs Beare and J. King were counsel for defence and plaintiff. Mr Ralfe, as usher, took his part well, as indeed did all. Miss Annie Malfroy gave a pretty skirt dance, her dress being pale blue silk and petticoats of many colours. Had her skirts been longer it would have added considerably to the grace of her movements. This was followed by a minuet by four ladies and their partners, which was most quaint, and a very graceful performance ; but the gentlemen would have appeared to better advantage in the dress of the period. The orchestra, though small, was efficient. Mr Morton made an excellent conductor, ably assisted by Mr Roberts as stage manager, and it must be most gratifying to all those who laboured so to make * Trial by Jury ’ such a success, to know with the Government subsidy the result will be an accession of funds to the local Benevolent Society of about Z7°.

Great credit is due to the Amateur Opera Club of New Plymouth on their performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s • The Pirates of Penzance,’ which was held in the Theatre Royal. This is the third attempt of the Club’s at a comic opera, and taking it all in all, they did it splendidly, and they were well applauded. The opera was well staged, and the costumes were very effective. The music, which was very pretty, was admirably rendered by Mr Garry’s orchestra, and great credit is due to the stage manager, who was Mr J. Oliver. Mr Rose, who personated * Major General Stanley,* acted up to his part in every detail. • The Pirate King ’ whose part was taken by Mr A. Hardy, was splendidly acted, and although he was rather weak at first, he improved as he went along, and he looked every inch his character. Mr Perry, who has an excellent voice, did great credit to his part as • Frederick,' and Mr Andrew as • Lieutenant Sam ’

was very good. Mr D. Teed, junr., as usual, took the comical part of the opera, that being the ‘Sergeant of Police,’ to which he did full justice. Mrs Watson and Mias Teed took the principal ladies’ parts. The former, characterising ‘Ruth,’ acted her part with great vigour and skill, and she also gave great assistance in the chorus. The latter, as ‘ Mabel.* went through her difficult musical part spendidly, and has greatly improved since the last opera. The three who took the parts of ‘lsabel,’ ‘Kate,’ and ‘Edith,’were Misses Jackson, Rawson and Yates, and they sang their parts in a very creditable manner. The choruses were the best yet rendered by the Club, and they were well appreciated by the audience. The opera was brought to a close by the tableau, ‘ Britannia,’ Miss N. Webster looking handsome as that character, and the chorus singing ‘ Rule Britannia.’ brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.

She has sung for the Hawke’s Bay Relief Fund, and at the Record Reign Historical Carnival in Christchurch.

On Thursday evening the Misses Hughes gave a drawing-room concert in aid of the Mission to the streets and lanes of Auckland at their charming residence, ‘ Hughenden,’ Shelly Beach Road. It is, I think I may say, the first drawing-room concert that has been given in Auckland, but no doubt other ladies will take up this novel idea and make use of their rooms in the same way. I am sure the poor of our city would be very thankful if they did. The room, or I certainly ought to call it a 'small hall, was most beautifully decorated, and seats were provided for one hundred guests. After an opening speech by one of the Mission members, the concert commenced as follows :— Gavotte, ‘Alcena,’ Band ; song, ‘The Valley by the Sea,’ Mr Wright; song, ‘Echo,’ Miss Crowther; song, ‘Tell Her I Love her So,’ Mr Martin ; duet, ‘ When the Wind Blows in From the Sea,’ Miss Chrystal and Mr Manning ; song, ‘Dream Voices,’ Miss Morrin; song, Mr Manning ; fantasia, ‘ Alice, Where Art Thou ?’ Master Angus (pupil of Herr Zimmermann) ; song, ‘ Douglas Gordon,’ Mrs J. Stewart ; pianoforte solo, ‘Polonaise’ (Chopin), Mr Gittos; pianoforte solo, ‘ Trois Melodies,’ (a) ‘The Mermaid,’ (bl ‘ The Wind,’ (c) ‘ The Wave ’ (Heller), Mr Hubert B. Jones; song, ‘The Three Wishes,’ Miss Crowther; selection, band ; song, ‘There is a Flower,’ Mr Martin ; song, ‘ Eternal Rest,’ Mrs J. Stewart; song, ‘ I Trust You Still’ (violin obligato), Miss Chrystal; song, ‘ Evening ’ (serenade), Mr Wright ; violin solo, * Grand Bolero de Concert * (Niedzielski), Herr Zimmermann. This gentleman kindly played another solo, which was greatly appreciated. Mr Jones, organist of St. Matthews played the accompaniments. During the evening refreshments were banded round, and at the conclusion of the programme, Mr Kirker, on behalf of the Misses Hughes, thanked those who had so kindly assisted. The arrangements were perfect, and a most delightful evening was spent by all.

The many friends of Miss Celia Dampier, the talented child violinist, of Auckland, have arranged an attractive programme for the concert intended for her benefit at the City Hall, Auckland, on Thursday, September 16th. A long list of well-known local vocalists and musicians

have promised their services on thia occasion, and as the object of the concert is to add to the fund for defraying the cost of sending Miss Dampier to Europe for a thorough musical training, we confidently anticipate a bumper house for so great an Auckland favourite. It will be remembered that Miss Celia lost a valuable violin in the recent wreck of the * Tasmania,* and it is hoped to raise funds to purchase another instrument for her. The Flying Jourdans commence a New Zealand season at Auckland on the 21st of this month. A MUSICAL ELEPHANT. Many stories have been told tending to prove that * Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,’ but instances of beasts themselves gratifying their love of the tuneful are few. The last animal to join the ranks of musicians is ‘ Tom,’ a big elephant now quartered at the Zoo in Central Park, New York city. For several years Tom has been one of the star performers of tricks in Barnham and Bailey’s circus. He, with others of the herd, played * see-saw,’ and danced in good time and kept his place in the elephants’ * ballet.* But it is only since he came under the care of Keeper Synder, at the Zoo, that Tom has cultivated music. Mr Synder is a proficient player on the harmonica, and has derived much satisfaction from noting the effects of his tunes on his various pets. Whenever he played for Tom, the latter showed by unmistakable actions that he appre ciated the effort to amuse him. He would, at the sound of the instrument, cease the restless swaying from side to side, peculiar to his kind, lift his huge ears, and, with his trunk, beat time to the music, all the time watching his entertainer closely. Like all other elephants, Tom begs everything from everybody with outstretched trunk. One day after playing several airs for Tom, Keeper Synder let him feel the harmonica, telling him in trainer’s language, that the instrument was not food forthe stomach. He repeatedly blew through the month organ, too, and finally let Tom take possession of it. The latter at first promptly lifted it towards his month, as he had seen his teacher do. Getting no result he angrily tossed the instrument to the ground. But Mr Synder persevered, until one day Tom, while feeling the harmonica, gave a snort of rage or impatience. The instrument responded. The sensitive ends of his trunk felt the vibrations of the chords, and Tom immediately grasped the ‘ brass band,’ and raising it high above his head, blew through it so forcibly that every key was threatened with rupture. The animal’s huge body trembled, his ears flapped, and he actually danced with his three unchained feet. Now every day Tom is given a harmonica, and sometimes for an hour at a time the intelligent beast will amuse himself and entertain his animal neighbours as well as his human visitors by resounding chords through the instrument.

There seems little doubt (says a London Exchange) but that Nicolini is dying. He is suffering from Bright’s disease and a complication of other ailments, and although he may live for months, he may die at any time. From a friend of Mme. Patti, who has just returned from a visit to her at Craig-y-Nois, it is learned that Nicolini is greatly changed in appearance. He is terribly emaciated and spends most of his time in bed. At one of the recent concerts directed by M. Mottl in London, the conductor, usually so polite, suddenly apostrophised a poor musician with one single word ass ! (Great stupefaction and indignation of the orchestra !) Everyone began to laugh, when the first violin, a German, explained to his colleagues that the conductor simply wished to indicate to the musician that he should play A flat (in German As) instead of A natural, as he had done by mistake. M. Mottl, accustomed to speak in German, forgot for the moment that he was in England.

At the recent Congress of Medicine, held in Berlin, Dr. Max Scheier has demonstrated that in using the Rbntgen ray in a certain way it is possible to see a person sing. With bis arrangement of the rays it is possible to observe how the uvula rises a little when the A is sung, and how it rises higher when the other vowels are pronounced, with the exception of I, for the pronunciation of which the uvula reaches its highest point. One can also see, by means of the rays, the changes which speech and song make in the internal form of the mouth, as well as the movements of the tongue and jaws. It is predicted that soon professors of singing will have to become specialists in the part of physiology which concerns them specially, and that they will have to provide themselves with an apparatus for applying the Rbntgen rays in order to correct their pupils’ faults in the emission of the voice. It must not be forgotten that medicine owes the discovery of the laryngoscope to a professor of singing, the illustrious Manuel Garcia.

The Imperial Opera at Vienna has during the last year sustained a deficit of 125,000 francs, and that, in spite of the subsidy of 750,000 francs allowed by the Emperor.