MUSIC AND DRAMA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XXVI, 18 December 1897, Page 811

MUSIC AND DRAMA.

Paraphrased and slightly adapted. Hamlet’s observation, ‘The play’s the thing to catch the conscience of the king,’ seems to fit the King of Siam to a nicety. His first evening in London he spent at a theatre, an experience several times repeated, and when in Edinburgh he was so much interested in the working details as to go behind the scenes and see them for himself. This fondness for theatrical performances, and curiosity as to details, however, is not surprising, in view of the large part this form of entertainment plays in the life of all far Eastern peoples, and of the great difference existing between Eastern and Western theatrical methods. In Siam the lakon (play) is as universal as the pwe in Burma. It is brought into requisition at births, marriages, deaths and cremations; a top-knot cutting ceremony without one or more lakons was never heard of; they are presented at every fair and festival; in fact, no occasion, either domestic or national, is complete without them. The Siamese lakon, the Burmese pwe, and the Malayan jeekhay have many points of resemblance, and in Bangkok one may see all three, as well as the Chinese play; but Siamese and Burmese stage representations are infinitely more artistic than Malayan and Chinese; indeed, to Europeans it seems almost sacrilegious to speak of Chinese performances as artistic. Of Siamese theatres proper there are two in Bangkok, but some princes and nobles also keep up troupes for the amusement of their families and friends, and for hiring out at festivals and fairs. At the regular theatres the performers, with the exception of three or four male clowns, are all females. Performances are only given about twelve or fourteen evenings per month, while the nights are moonlit. At other times the troupes are either giving representations at family parties or rehearsing new pieces. In a Siamese theatre the performance takes place, so to speak, in the pit. The stage is almost square, galleries occupy two opposite sides of the square, while the third side is used for dressing rooms and stage entrances. A play often lasts three or four nights, from about eight o’clock till two or three in the morning, and is seldom performed twice consecutively. Music plays an important roll in every play, while a powerful chorus of girls behind the scenes sing loudly in unison, punctuating their theme by striking together short sticks of hard wood. The Siamese have a very fine sense of harmony, and though their system differs so much from ours both as to intervals and time, their hands are always tuneful, and one often hears most taking melodies. Of scenery there is none, beyond a fixture representing the front of a palatial residence, above which runs a gallery, where fairies and Celestial characters make their appearance. Along the roof, over the central portion of the stage, however, are generally mechanical appliances used for the flight of angels and demons of the air. Properties are openly carried upon the stage by ‘supers.’ The costumes of the players are often brilliant with jewellery' and gems; indeed, the gorgeous dresses of our English pantomimes fall far short of the brilliance here seen. A large amount of ‘business’ is invariably introduced, chiefly consisting of dancing, games, and buffoonery. Eastern dancing, as seen in the Siamese and other ballets, is, however, totally different from our ideas of the poetry of motion. It consists entirely of posturing and gesticulation, with an occasional taking advantage, of drapery to increase the effect of an attitude, and the combination of gracefulness and drollery has a eharm of its own. Performed upon flat feet, there is nothing of the ‘light fantastic toe’ about it, yet the marvellous genuflection of limb ami body and the grace of movement often give the spectator the idea of extreme airiness, agility and rhythm. Siamese are extremely clever at mimicry and burlesque, and they greet with shrieks of laughter caricatures of public men or well known characters. On the other hand, a tire brigade marching three or

four times round the stage in search of a fire, or a procession of twenty men headed by one carrying the bows of a toy ship, another the mainmast, ami the last with the rudder tied behind him, are regarded without a smile, even though the bows often chase the rudder. Professor Abbott, of New Jersey, is one of the few naturalists who speak in a kindly way of toad voices. He thinks the batrachians have never yet received the consideration that is their due from the poets, and he asks:—‘ls it because their music is not popular with the masses?’ ‘Now. professor,’ said the young man with musical aspirations, ‘1 want you to tell me exactly what you think of my voice.’ ‘No, sir,’ was the emphatic reply. ‘I see through you. You were sent here by my enemies to get me arrested for profanity.’ Palermo was once noted for the popular songs of the peasants in the vicinity, and there were annual competitions participated in by singers from all parts of Sicily. An effort has just been made to revive the. ancient glory of the ‘eanzonetta poplare siciliana,’ but only thirteen singers presented themselves, and the affair was pronounced an utter failure. At St. Petersburg they are about to erect, a new theatre almost entirely of iron. When completed it will contain 2500 persons. Tamagno, the rich, penurious tenor, has been fleeced out of 2,000,000 francs by a clever Italian deputy. He induced the tenor to buy an old and decrepit hotel in Home for theluxuriant sum of 2,000,000 francs, under the false pretence that it would be bought back at a great advance by the Government, which was in need of this building for one of its departments. Now the tenor is sueing the wily deputy. Last week the Auckland Choral Society gave its sixth orchestral concert of the season. The Choral Hall was crowded on the occasion, and a programme of a very attractive character was performed with exceptional success. Mons de Wilfimoff acted as leader and solo violinist, while Mi- A. Eady was among the instrumentalists, and the able baton of Professor Carl Schmitt directed the orchestra. The orchestral items rehearsed included the first second and last movements of Beethoven's first symphony, which were splendidly rendered, Adams’ ‘Le Brasseur de Preston,’ and the evergreen overture to ‘Maritana.’ A quartette—-the Minuetto Andantino and Finale Allegro, from Rheinberger’s Piano Quatuor (op. 38) was played by Miss Yates (piano), Mr Keesing (violin), Cox (viola), and Mr Beale (’cello) and was warmly and deservedly applauded. The violin solos by M. de Willimoff—Zarzicky’s Mazurka and an arrangement of ‘Maganiello’—were, however, the numbers which were most loudly appreciated. The musician gave the audience a very tine rendering of both pieces. As a finale to the concert, a waltz entitled ‘Phyllis.’ and composed by Mr J. B. Macfarlane, a local amateur, was played, Mr Macfarlane conducting. The composition is tuneful and rich in many parts. Interspersed with the instrumental items were several solos. Miss Lizzie Black sang ‘The Promise of Life’ (Cowan) and ‘The Lost Chord’ (Sullivan). while Mr George Reid contributed Bevan’s ‘The Flight of Ages' and Balfe’s ‘Come Into the Garden. Maud.’ Mr Reid’s voice is too well known to need commendation. The lady, on the. other hand, is a newcomer. but she has a fine contralto voice that we shall l>e very glad to hear again. The principle of the incandescent gas light, is now available for oil lamps. The principle of the petroleum burner is exactly the same as that of the incandescent burner. The burner used is similar to the ordinary duplex, except, that it lias a circular instead of a double horizontal wick. The mantle and chimney are fitted on a gallery, which can l»e lifted by a screw, exposing the wick, which is lighted in the ordinary way. The lifter is then lowered, and the flames, from Ixeing an illuminant, become a jierfect atmospheric flame, causing the mantle to become brilliantly incandescent. The burner gives a fifty candle-power light, with, it is said, a saving of two-thirds in the consumption of oil. In matters of male tailoring (says ‘Table Talk') London now undoubtedly gives the law to all the civilised

world. Did you ever hear of an Englishman who desired to pass for a well-dressed man going over to Paris to get himself fitted out? If there is one thing more than another which an Englishman desires to avoid it. is to look like, a foreigner in his dress; while, on the other hand, it now appears to be the ambition of all the •jeunesse doree’ and the ‘beau monde’ in every capital of Europe to dress like an Englishman. A year or two ago I remember seeing this Anglomania well hit off in a trench pictorial paper. An exquisite sauntering along the Boulevards was encountered by one of his friends, who asked in amazement why he had his trousers turned up, as it wasn't raining. ‘No,’ said the exquisite, ‘it isn’t raining here, but possibly it is in London.’ According to the ‘Review Encyclo|>edigue,’ the idea that the habit of smoking dates only from the discovery of America must be abandonrd as a vulgar error. Clay pipes which had been used as far back as the GalloRoman period in Frrfhce were found in 1844 while excavating a cemetery belonging to that epoch. Their antiquity was doubted until similar remains were discovered beneath the foundations of the palace of Charles the Bold. Subsequently, upwards of a. hundred prehistoric forges, of a date anterior to the Roman occupation of Switzerland, were brought to light in the. Burmese Jura, and smoking pipes of iron were found in these. In the prehistoric tombs of Holland many similar objects were disclosed, and a bronze pipe excavated from the ruins of ancient Rome has been preserved in the celebrated Campana collection now in the Louvre. A Spanish poem, which is known to have been composed in 127<>. speaking of one of the captains of the Christian army. Pedro Espigol by name, describes him as smoking lavender in order io dissipate the ‘humour of the brain.’ And a corlxel carved in the eleventh century in the church of Huberville. in France, represents the head of a man with what the Irish call a ‘dudeen’ in his month. In the County of Northumberland similar relies are often alighted upon in connection with early Roman remains, and popular superstition assumes that they were left there by the fairies, hence they are generally known as elfin pipes. Lord Wolseley, according to a quaint, chronicler, is extremely superstitious; indeed, ‘he has owned’ that while in Ireland he had worn out. several hat brims 'through saluting single magpies’ (single magpies are supposed to foreshadow sorrow), and that he would not ‘on any account’ walk under a ladder. He also believes in ghosts, and can tell ‘some exceedingly strange stories of regimental spectres.’ The once famous Fat Men's Association of America, that attracted to its annual meeting large numbers of men who weighed five, hundred pounds, has dwindled to a few light-weights of four hundred pounds or so. We have one suggestion to make to the Government of India (says the Simla ‘News'), and that is, that should these complications increase, and still more troops be required on the frontier they should ask. say the Maharaja of Patiala, as an experiment, if he would undertake the task of crushing one of these tribes, Mohmands, Afridis, Orukzais. or any other. Give him a free hand, and let. him make his own arrangements, and we venture to think that he would speedily give them such a lesson as would live in their memories and keep them quiet for the next twenty years. The British Government is far too gentle in its treatment of these border ruffians, who do not. understand it. and it only encourages them to rise again at. an early date. A little roughness would appeal very forcibly to them. Probably the methods employed would not commend themselves to Exeter Hall, and as we must take account of the cowardly fear of both the Indian and Imperial Governments of this obsolete old bogy, why the Government of India might refuse to allow press correspondents to lie present. Some surprise has been created in St. Petersburg by the sudden way in which the publishers of the ‘Rus' eeased to issue thir paper. Hajdeburoff, the publisher, was thought to lxin financial difficulties. This is. however. a mistake. Hajdeburoff lately employed an assistant muiiiil Drabonuretzky. who signed as responsible editor. This man was nothing but a (silice spy. who hail obtained the position to inform the police of what is

going on in journalistic and literary circles. He was paid for this £SOO a year. When Hajdeburoff discovered the true character of his editor he dismissed him, and stopped publication. It is a proverbial fact that life and property are well protected in the British Colonies, and that most distant of British possessions, the fax* North-west of Canada, is no exception to the rule. Of the shooting ami fighting, the murders which followed every new discovery ox gold in the United States, nothing has been heard in the Klondike district, simply because a detachment of the mounted police was on the spot, from the beginning. When the Canadian halfbreeds rebelled under Louis Riel, the mounted police was raised to an effective strength of loot) men, and it has never been reduced. It is truly an elite corps. Wherever these' able horsemen show themselves smugglers and Indians vanish. They travel with the most astonishing celerity from one part, of the Dominion, to anoither. They are not specially well paid, but young men of the best English and Canadian families are anxious to join this force, whose duties are very varied and exciting. They are organised like the Irish Constabulary, and are such picked men that they would know how to command respect even without carbine, sword and revolver. For some days past (says a London paper) a motor cab has been parading the streets of the city, in defiance of an Act of Parliament, being practically a theatrical advertisement. On the roof of the cab is a large travelling basket, such as those used by ladies in theatrical touring companies, bearing an immense lalxel giving the name of a. play now running at a West End theatre. Inside is seated a coloured gentleman, attired in all the magnificence of an Oriental potentate, x.fter its braving the police for some days— - the authorities evidently being unable to make up their minds'as to the legality of the proceeding—the progress of the eab was suddenly arrested in Fleet-street the other day by a police constable. ' Stop.' demanded the officer. ‘Give me your number, name and address.’ 'What for?' returned the driver, with a blandly innocent smile. ‘Because you are an advertisement and not using the cab for legitimate pur|x>ses.’ *j'm engaged by the gen'leman inside.' expostulated' the driver, hind I'm a-driving of him to sec the sights of London, including of the Griffin at Temple Bar.' 'Go on.' curtly returned the constable, 'you'll hear more of this.’ Miss Marie Lloyd’s first engagement was at the Star. Bermondsey, where she received the salary of fifteen shillings per week. Nowadays one hundred jxounds weekly is not considered too much for her. She was originally a teacher. Sir Alexander C. Mackenzie's compositions fox- Mi- J. M. Barrie’s play, founded on 'The Little Minister.' are an overture, three entr’actes, ami some incidental music. At the start of the overture there is a snatch of the bagpipes. and an effect is made with clarionets. There is a slight suggestion of the ail- of 'Dunean Grey.’ Each of the entr’actes is a dance. The Little Minister is the only character to whom Sir Alexander has given any Leit-motif. This pathetic melody i’s heard in the overture. 'A School of Beauty' has been started in New York, in which lessons are given with respect to the expression of the face. According to the canons laid down in this remarkable academy, laughter is a vulgar distortion of the features. and has a. demoralising effect. It destroys the shape of the mouth, thickens the nose and causes lines round the eyes. Tears are not to be indulged in under any provocation. To 'smile vaguely' is the object at which all students ambitious of walking steadily in the ways of beauty should aim; while tears should never lie anything less poetical than 'dewdrops in the eyes.’ This seminary is so decidedly suggestive of new ideas in the way of looking a part that it may appropriately be mentioned in ■.Stagekind.' The first instance on recon! of a death upon the stage <x-eurs in 1735, whexl an actor mimed William Bond, who had unsuccessfully attempted to get his friend Aaron Hill's translation of Voltaire's 'Zaire' acted ai Covent Garden or Drury Lane, gave a private performance in a concert-room. He ployed the part of Lusignan. afternurds ■ lixieted by Garrick and Barrv.

His acting" became so realistic that he actually fainted away in the second act. and the audience, unaware of the fact, but delighted with the |M*rforniancv. applauded him to the echo. Recovering a little, he extended his arms to embrace his long-lost children, and with difficulty continued his (xirt —’My son! my daughter! Ijost in embracing you. I would now die lest this should prove a dream/ As the words fell from his lips he raised his eyes to heaven and died without a struggle. The satirical Samuel Foote and the charming Peg Woffington were each seized with paralysis when on the stage, and were assisted from the boards they had. adorned so well, never to return. Peg Woffington's seizure was most pathetic. She was playing Rosalind, and though feeling unwell in the fifth act managed to dress in her bridal garb for the last scene. She was reciting the epilogue, and had got as far as ’If.I were among y ou I would kiss as many as had beards that pleased me.’ when she screamed ’ Oh God ! Oh God ! * and tottered to the wings, thus tragically making her last exit. For three years afterwards she lingered a helpless paralytic. In all Italy—some would say in all Europe—there is no more picturesque monument than Juliet’s tomb, in the world-old city of Verona. Go to X’erona to-day and you will find in one of the deserted streets an old. smoke-stained hostelery. in which macaroni and sour wine are dealt out to labourers, amid much shouting and swearing. Rather a disreputable looking place, and yet it was once the palace of the Capulets. Over the stained doorway may still lx* seen the little hat. or cappallet to. which has for centuries been the escutcheon of this once famous family. Here Juliet lived, loved and died. Near the palace is a courtyard, and at the end of it is a tomb, which is said to contain the remains of Romeo and Juliet. It is a mere fragment of stone, and yet every year thousands make a pilgrimage to it. Juliet, though one of the most renowned heroines in all literature, plays hardly any part in history, and hence there has long been somewhat of a suspicion that she and Romeo are largely mythical personages. On this point Lord Byron says in one of his letters from Verona:—’The Veronese are tenacious to a degree of the truth of Juliet's story, insisting on the fact, giving the date (1303) and showing a tomb. It is a plain, open and partlydecayed sarcophagus, with withered leaves in it. in a wiki and desolate conventual garden—once a cemetery, now ruined, to the very graves. The situation struck me as very appropriate to the legend, being blighted as their love.’ The St. John-Hayman Company played for a season of four nights in Pieton. The audiences were small, but very appreciative ones. Mrs Harrie Marshall was the recipient of several bouquets during the performances. For the waterfall scene in ’Ransomed' the company had obtained a fine specimen of Weki-pong-j. the sight of which among the artificial rockery of the stage was received with warm applause. The company proceeded to the West Coast by steamer on Sunday morning. They enjoyed their stay in Picton, and made themselves so popular there that a future visit will be looked forward to with pleasure. An interesting conversazione was given at Stuart’s Hall. Port Ahuriri a few days ago. Some enjoyable music was given, and the accompaniments were played by Miss Lorkin and Mr Clarke. Miss May Willey sang ’Ben Bolt.' Miss Lorkin •Why Must We Say Good-bye,* and Mr C. P. Clarke and Master A. Denholm played a pianoforte duet. Mr J. Neilson sang ’Her Majesty.' Mr W. D'Authreau sang ’The Old Brigade.’ the Rev. J. G. Patterson recited ’Where Do You Live.' and Miss Robinson and Mr W. D'Authreau contributed a duet. ‘l'd Rather Not.* The complimentary lienefit tendered to Mr Arthur Towsey in Auckland last week by the Orchestral Union. Ladies' Liederkranz. and the Liedertafel was one of the most successful concerts of the season, and a high tribute to the popularity of Mr Towsey. As was to l»e expected from such a combination of talent, an exceptionally good and varied programme was presented, the only fault being that it was somewhat too long. One of the chief items of the evening was Felicien David's sym-

phonic cantata. ‘The Deserts’ which was recently produced for the first time in Auckland by the Orchestral Union and Liedertafel. Messrs G. M. Reid. M. Trenwith. and J. Moral h took the solos, and Dr. Egan the declamatory passages. All these gentlemen were equal to their parts, while the chorus was strong ami most effective in its work. The instrumental music of the cantata was accorded a finished interpretation by the Orchestral Union. The I-adies' Liederkranz sang •Joy to the Wanderer* (Longhurst) and Schubert's Serenade. Miss May White taking the solo part. This Society. in conjunction with the meml>ers of the Liedertafel. sang the popular ’Song of the Vikings.' The piece, which was capitally rendered, received great applause. Another contribution of the Liedertafel to the concert was ’The Soldiers' Chorus' from Gounod's ’Faust.’ The military music of the Garrison Band was much appreciated in connection with that fine chorus. The Orchestral Union played Weber's ‘lnvitation a la Valse.’ Suppe's ‘Banditenstreiche.' a selection from Gounod's ’Faust.' Miss May Dudding. who was in excellent voice, sang Tosti's •Venetian Song' and ’When the Heart is Young.' to the great delight of the audience: while Mr G. Higgott was not less successful in ‘Plymouth Sound' and ’The Holy Shrine.' The concert concluded by the combined Societies, assisted by the Garrison Band, playing and singing ’God Save the Queen.' Mr Towsey conducted, and Mr de Williinoff led the orchestra. Mr Wilson Barrett is not the only playwright to exploit the semi-super-natural in modern dress. His comedy of ’The Wishing Cap.' which Mr Hawtrey was to have tried, is to have in atmosphere and central motive a companion in a drama upon which Mr Charles Brookfield is busily engaged. The germ of Mr Brookfield's play at least is to be found in ’Le Peau de Chagrin.* the bizarre novel by Honor? de Balzac. In this a magic skin becomes the property of a ruined gambler, who has but to wish to have his whim gratified. But at- the expense of his life, for at every wish the skin contracts, and as it shrivels and shrinks his days on earth become fewer and fewer in proportion. For stage purposes the skin of a wild ass would be too cumbrous a property. Obviously, too. it would be almost impossible to get the one theatrical effect out of its diminution in size at the moment of its possessor's wish. Mr Brookfield has. therefore, devised an effective substitute: but alike in dominating idea and treatment, he adheres to the pages of Balzac. Mr Boult's first annual pupils' concert held in Auckland last week was a very successful affair, reflecting credit on both the pupils and their instructor. The following are the names of the successful candidates at the recent examination in music held in Auckland on behalf of the Associated Board of the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. London: — Senior grade: Theory of music, pass certificates. Jessie May Adams and Francis A. Holmden. Pianoforte playing, pass certificates. Jessie M. Adams and Emily Brabant. Violin playing, pass certificate. Sybil Lewis. The examiner was Mr C. Lee Williams. Mus. Bac.. and the Auckland secretary is Professor Carl Schmitt. La st week Messrs IL A Nielson and Sons gave exhibitions in Auckland of the projectoscope and Edison's duplex phonograph. Gaul's sacred cantata ’The Holy City* was most successfully performed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Auckland, on Sunday afternoon. Mr V. E. Rice presiding at the organ. The solos were taken by the Misses Pierce. Kissling. Cherry. Halliwell and Aickin. Messrs Kissling and Cousins. A large congregation greatly appreciated the musical efforts of the choir and the other singers, and Mr Rice was complimented upon the performance. The offertory was for the Trimnell Memorial Fund. the purpose of which is to erect a tablet over the grave of the deceased musician, and to apply the surplus for the benefit of his widow and family. The collection amounted to £9 5s 3d. As the Committee of the fund to <k»fray the cost of the erection of a tablet over the grave of Mr Tallis Trimnell desire to accomplish the ol>ject in view as soon as possible, those desiring to contribute to the fund should <k> so at once.