MUSIC

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XVIII, 23 October 1897, Page 554

MUSIC

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PIANO AND VIOLIN RECITAL. There was a crowded audience in the Wellington Art Gallery on Monday evening last week when Miss Clarice Brabazon and Herr Clemens Lehmann gave a piano and violin recital. In every respect the concert •vas a most successful one. Beethoven's Duo for piano and violin (Sonata \ II.) was the principal piece on the programme, and was played with much power and delicacy of expression by Miss Brabazon (piano) and Herr Lehmann (violin). The performance was enthusiastically applauded. Miss Brabazon's mastery of her instrument was admirably displayed in her pianoforte solos. Weber's Grand Polonaise and a Quadrille by Strelezki. The lady has a fine decisive touch, and shows great brilliancy in the execution of some of the most intricate passages. She was encored twice. Herr Lehmann's solos were the "Legend'' of Wieniawski and a Faust Fantasia, arranged by Sarasate, for both of which he was warmly applauded. The vocal part of the concert was contributed by Miss Laura Grave and Mr Horace Stebbing. The lady is a pupil of Madame Merz, and this was the first occasion she had sung on a public platform in Wellington. She first sang " The Mission of a Rose" (Cowan), which was so well received that she gave “Two's Company” as an encore. For “Alla Stella Confidente." to which the Hon. George Jones played a violin obligato, she was recalled. Mr Horace Stebbing. who is well known in both Wellington and Auckland, was announced for “One Single Word" and "The Hugenot.” but the audience were so delighted that he was not allowed to depart before he had sung as an encore "Estudiantina.” With Miss Grave he sang the duet “Maying.” one of the most successful items of the evening. Miss Brabazon played the accompaniments with much discrimination. His Excellency the Governor and a party from Government House were present.

WILLIAMSON AND MUSGROVE’S COMING ATTRACTION.

Monday evening, October 25th, will see the commencement of a six nights’ comedy season, under the direction of Messrs Williamson and Musgrove, when opportunity will be taken of introducing the renowned author and eminent English comedian. Mr Harry Paulton, and the brilliant and gifted comedienne. Miss Alma Stanley, whose success on the other side has only equalled the reputation that preceded them from Home, and which doubtless will find an echo in this colony. Not since the days of Dion Boucicault. senr.. has a comedian visited these parts that has as high or higher standing in the world of Thespis as Harry Paulton. and his advent here should be productive of gratification and subsequent admiration. The short season will be a busy time for player folk and for those who sit in judgment on them. The first comedy to be staged will be “My Friend from India." the new farce comedy which was originally staged in New York last year, the principal author (De Souchet) being an American dramatist. In London, the piece was staged at the Garriek Theatre, under Mr D. G. Boucicault's stage direction. Practically the same play, but with a London author's name to it and a new title. “My Friend the Prince." is still enjoying a long and successful run. Mr Sfnsgrove considered the original American version the better of the two. and in it Mr Paulton will make his first appearance here. It will be played for three nights, to be succeeded on Thursday and Friday by what is described as the comedyshriek of the year. Messrs George Feydean and Maurice Desvellierres" farcial comedy “A Night Out." which was originally staged on the English stage at the Vaudeville Theatre. London, on April '29. 1896. has commemorated its SflOth performance last month, and is still running with marked success. On Saturday. Oct. 3Oth. “Niobe" will be presented for one night. If any man has a claim to be heard and seen in a piece it is

surely the man who wrote it, that man, be it also remembered, being a comedian of the first rank. Of Miss Alma Stanley's interpretation of the part of “ Niobe ” it is enough to say that the character was written for her, and that she is still—Alma Stanley. The “stars” are supported by an excellent company of comedians, such as Messrs Cyril Keightley. Oily Deering, Hans Phillips. Fred Lambourne, Carden Wilson. Albert Whelan. W. J. Beresford. George Bryer. Mrs Edouin Bryer. Mrs Lena Branch, Minnia Phillips. Lila More, Gertie Campion, Florrie Mcßae and others. The business management is in the hands of Messrs Pete Hughes and Joe St. Clair. Scenery and appointments doubtless in the firm's usual first-class style should make the coming season a most enjovable one for all concerned.

Bland Holt, who has been doing big business in Dunedin, opens in Christchurch on Saturday next. The Christchurch kinematograph had a most successful season in Auckland, full houses being the order of the day. Wybert Reeve is bringing yet another kinematograph to this colony. Among the pictures is one of the Melbourne Cup won by Newhaven.

Buckstone, the comedian. has recorded a tragic affair that happened at the Mobile Theatre, in the United States, when he acted there. AMr Ewing and a Miss Hamblin were members of the company, and after the first act of the farce ' My Old Woman,’ the actress followed the actor into his dressing-room and stabbed him. Curiously enough, the jury acquitted Miss Hamblin on the ground that Mr Ewing might have died of heart disease if he had not been stabbed.

‘ What's the matter now ?' asked the leading aetor as the manager tore a letter to shreds and stamped his feet. ‘ Matter ? That performance of yours is so infernally bad that this person demands that his name lie stricken from the free list.’

Mr Wilson Barrett commenced his theatrical career as a ‘ utility' man in Halifax at the age of eighteen. His remuneration was a guinea a week, and he had to provide his own tights, boots, shoes, feathers, hats, laces, euffs, swords, daggers, and other miscellaneous ‘props.’ He was an apt student, having known every word of ‘ Hamlet' and ‘ Othello 'at eleven, so it is not surprising to learn that he soon had four shillings added to his salary. Burnley, Ijincashire. was the scene of his first attempt at management. The audience on that occasion consisted of one boy, but whether he had the performance all to himself or his money back history recordeth not.

Professional pistol shots beware I The Judge of the Criminal Court, Berlin, has sent for six months’ imprisonment the gentleman who considered himself the legitimate successor of William Tell, and who some time ago. at a public garden near the German capital, killed his fiancee while trying to hit an apple placed on her head. The performer pleaded that if he used a dummy for his business the public would find no excitement in it. The public would be all the better without excitement of this sort, and the sentence will perhaps have the effect of putting a stop to some of the performances that are made sensational bv the risk of human life.

Sarah Bernhardt has now received the dramatic version of ‘ Hamlet ’ that is to be mounted at the Renaissance this season. The authors have closely followed Shakespeare. On the bills it will appear as ‘ The Tragic History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark’—which, it is asserted, was the original title used at the first production and for the first printed edition.

The French pa[>ers some time ago killed off Mme. Noniica. who at the time the notice was written was entertaining a party of her friends at dinner. It seems that some variety artist had adopted a name closely resembling Mme. Nordiea’s, and the death of the poor little struggler was twisted into the demise of the great singer.

The first newspaper to be started in the Klondike region will be owned and operated by a Chicago woman. Mrs Caroline Westcott Romney, who will leave immediately for the Alaskan goldfields, will take with her a small hand press and an outfit comprising all the necessities of the newspaper business when conducted on a small scale. She expects to reach the Klondike before the beginning of winter, and firmly believes the success of her venture is assured.

The second of Herr Handke's chamber concerts was given in the Provincial Hall. Nelson, on Saturday, and was quite as successful as the preceding one. The chief items were undoubtedly the quartettes —two of Haydn’s for stringed instruments played by the Misses Trix Atkinson and Shone, and Messrs Handke and Crump. Both were well played with appropriate delicacy of expression, and were thoroughly appreciated by the audience. The third quartette (Schubert’s Adagio and Rondo) for piano (Miss L. Fell), violin (Miss T. Atkinson), viola (Herr Handke). and ’cello (Mr Crump) was quite the gem of the evening. Miss Melhuish. whose pianoforte playing is listened to with pleasure, rendered with effect the Wagner-Liszt fantasia from 'The Flying Dutchman.’ and received a decided encore. Mrs Percy Adams was encored for her song. 'Spring is Here:’ her second song was also well received. Mr H. S. Rennert, of Dunedin, sang 'TheErl King’ in German, and for an encore The Village Blacksmith.’ Mr Rennert possesses a fine voice, which has been well cultivated.

The concert given in Ewart's Hall, Blenheim, on October 6th, in aid of the widow of the late Harry Satherly. was very successful, and such a large audience assembled that many had to stand all the evening. A selection of Irish airs, played by Miss El beck, opened the programme, and was succeeded by a chorus. 'Ringing Cheerily,’ sung by ladies. Mr Jefferies was rather too ambitious in his choice of a song. The Deathless Army.’ which, though not very difficult, requires a good ear in the minor part. Miss Purser was the recipient of an encore and a bouquet of flowers for her song. ■Piggyback Ride.’ the ladies of the chorus singing with action. Miss Kate Ball sang 'Espanita.’ and in the next item, solo and chorus. Miss Simson took the solo, which she sang most pleasingly. The Tin Gee-gee.’ a seriocomic song, by Mr Arthur Carter, is a quaint little song, free from the vulgarity of most comic songs, and was received with great applause. The 'Angelus.' sung solely by ladies, was rather shaky and decidedly out of tune. A comic duet, ‘Little Sweetheart.' by Messrs F. Bull and A. Carter. was followed by ‘Nancy Lee.' arranged as a chorus, the first solo being played by Mr Logan on the trombone, and the second whistled by Mr F. Bull, who began in a wrong key. This whistling may be a novelty, but it is worth nothing from a musical point of view. The overture to the second part of the programme was the 'Edelweiss Glide.' played by Miss Elbeck: then came an operatic selection sung by ladies alone. Twenty Love-sick Maidens:' The Stirrup Cup.' by Mr Orr: solo and chorus. 'Paradise Alley.' Miss Millie Mullen. The letter song from 'Rip Van Winkle' was well sung by Miss Emily Rose: 'Men of Harlech.' as a chorus for gentlemen: whistling solo. ‘Alice. Where Art Thou'?' Mr F. Bull. Miss Grace Wakelin recited The Wine Cup.' and Miss Mallei Watson sang 'Beauty's Eyes.' Mr J. Rose took the solo in a solo and chorus from 'Les Cloches de Cornevil le.' which was very good. The success of this concert reflects great credit on the promoters, for they had got it up in about a fortnight with daily practices. Mr Sturrock was an able conductor, and Miss Elbeck accompanist. Perhaps it would be well to remark that accompaniments should he subdued, and not give the listeners an idea that there is a contest between singer and pianiste as to which shall be louder. Mr Ewart kindly gave the use of the hall gratuitously, and Mr Furness reduced the charge for printing programmes and tickets as much as possible. TO DARKEN GREY HAIR. Lockyer's Sulphur Hair Restorer, quickest. safest, best : restores the natural colour. Lockyer’s, the real English Hair Restorer. I-arge Bottles, Is 6d, everywhere. —(Ad vt.)