MUSIC and Drama.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XVIII, 29 October 1898, Page 563

MUSIC and Drama.

The members of the Nelson Amateur Operatic Society are indeed to be congratulated upon the decided success they achieved last week when ‘Les Cloches de Corneville’ was produced in the Theatre Royal. The season lasted four nights, and as the curtain rose each evening the performers were greeted by a large and appreciative audience. ' The scenery was beautiful, having been especially painted for the society by Mr Leader Williams, scenic artist to Mr Tom Pollard. The scenes were lighted with acetylene gas, whilst the limelight was well managed by Messrs Pollard and Moore, and altogether the effect was truly magnificent. The dresses, which were borrowed from the Auckland society, were also much admired. The part of Serpolette, the pert little waif, was taken by Mrs Kingdon, who, after she had overcome her nervousness on the first evening, acted well and with spirit, her conception of the character being true to the intention of the composer. Her voice was sweet, though at times hardly powerful enough for the building. The part of Germaine was taken by Mrs A. P. Burnes, on the first and third nights, and by Miss Pratt on the second and fourth. Mrs Burnes acted in a most charming manner, quite entering into her part and at once establishing herself a great favourite. Her refined, graceful and natural interpretation of the character will bear comparison with that of many professionals and not suffer thereby. She also sang sweetly, with much expression and clear enunciation. Miss Pratt’s fine voice was heard to great advantage, and she was repeatedly encored. Miss Pratt has never before been on the stage in a character part, and this may have caused a little stiffness; but on the whole she gave a very pleasing exposition of Germaine. The Gaspard of Mr S. Jickell was indeed a fine performance. Such acting is seldom seen in our small city, and the audience to show their appreciation repeatedly called him before the curtain at the close of the acts. Henri, Marquis de Corneville, was well represented by Mr F. Kidson, who from the first gave a natural and acceptable interpretation of the part. His enunciation was clear and his phrasing good, whilst his beautiful voice was heard to great advantage, As the Bailie, Mr N. B. Levien was immense, and the Gobo of Mr Oldershaw was an excellent performance. Mr A. P. Lucas, as Grenicheux, sang well, but there was a want of spirit about his acting. Miss Topliss was a saucy and active cadet as Christoffe, and the minor female characters by Misses Moore, Harley, Sadd, Leggatt, Sealy and Ganna way were prettily done. A special feature of the performance was the chorus, which was decidedly good under the conductorship of Mr Joynt. Mrs Wilson was leader of the very efficient orchestra, whilst Mrs Raine rendered valuable service as pianiste. Mr Jickell, as stage manager, is to be congratulated upon the success of the performance. At the end of the performance on Saturday evening the whole company sang the National Anthem. When the audience had dispersed. and 1 behind th® scenes Mr

Joynt, in a elever and amusing speech, presented Mrs Raine with a handsome gold heart and chain, a gift from the chorus, in recognition of her indefatigable aid in training them, and her service as pianiste. Cheers were given for Mrs Raine, Mr Jickell, Mr Joynt, Mr A. P. Burnes. the business manager, Mr N. Raine, the secretary, and others, including the prompter, Mr Bamford, and the ’call boy,’ Mr Squires. The mayjtole dance before the third act was much appreciated, also Gobo's spider dance, which received a ferocious encore each evening.

The Greenwood Company have been making a very successful tour through the surrounding districts. At present they are in the Waikato, where their usual luck attends them everywhere. \\ e believe it is their intention to play a short season at the Opera House (luring Exhibition time, when several new pieces will be produced, notably. ‘The Child of the Iteginient,’ a splendid musical comedy full of the latest songs and dances.

Yet another attempt is to be made to save theatre goers from the torment of the high hat that obstructs the view of the stage. This is a contrivance consisting of a collapsible cushion so fixed in the under side of the seat that a spring pressed from the top of the seat as it is folded up before the sitter enters it will release a hat holder four inches in diameter and about six inches in length. It is covered with a permeable material, and the hat is adjusted on it. the regular hat pins being used to hold it in place, just as though it were on a woman’s head. In several theatres where it is in use it has been found to be a complete success.

London musical circles have been thrown into a ferment by the declaration made by M. Hadow that many of those ‘German composers' whose distinctions have been sung by admirers are not in fact German composers at all, but musicians whose nativity has been ascribed to Germany unjustly, unreasonably, and without any warrant of geography whatever! M.Hadow has issued a book in England on this subject, and according to it not only Germany, but Italy as well has reaped no little fame that belongs properly to that obscure Hungarian province, Croatia, of which, it need hardly be added, M. Hadow is a native. Two illustrious composers heretofore uniformly regarded as German, Franz Joseph Haydn and John Sebastian Bach, M. Hadow claims as Slavonians, and he attributes their supposed German nationality to the custom which until recent times prevailed among Slavonians of Germanizing their names —or, rather, of adapting ami translating them into the language of the country in which they happened to have settled. Haydn, who was a native of Rohrau, M. Hadow claims as a South Croatian by ancestry, and he declares that the Bach family (John Sebastian was born in Eisenach March, 1685) dwelt at Pressburg and were Slavonians. The name of Bach as borne by their descendants settled at Leipsic proves nothing, since it was the custom of the time for Slavonians established in German cities to Germanize their names.

It is expected that the sculptor Siemering’s monument in honour of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven will be ready for unveiling before the twentieth century. This monument to the three great German musicians will be the first piece of sculpture unveiled in Berlin in honour of musical art. At present Berlin is without any monument in honour of music.

The other day the Royal Opera of Berlin gave its 40()th performance of ‘Tannhaeuser.’

Paul Cinquevalli, spoken of as the most accomplished juggler ami lightning change artist in the world, will visit Australia next year.

Preparations for the performance of ‘The Mikado’ ami ‘The Gondoliers’ during the Auckland Exhibition season are in a forward condition. Judging by the cast of characters the entertainment should add greatly to the attractions of tin l city.

On Saturday Inst Mr Alfred Dampier opened his Australian season at the Criterion. Sydney. The initial performance was ‘Everyday London.’ An Auckland syndicate, with Mr John Fuller at the head of affairs, has been formed to run a novel series of entertainments at the Agricultural Hall during the Exhibition season.

Mr Ben Fuller and Mr Beattie have gone to Sydney to secure novelties in tiie way of waxworks, illusions. Punch and .1 udy show, and a mechanical exhibition. It is proposed to open at the Agricultural Hall about the second or third week in December.

Henry's Dramatic Company, which is still in Auckland, gives its patrons plenty of variety. This is the last week of the season, and a new drama is being staged every night. The Auckland Choral Society's fifth concert of the season took place yesterday (Tuesday) evening, when Gounod's 'Messe Solennelle’ and Rossini’s 'Stabat Mater’ were performed. The following were the soloists on the occasion: — Misses Lorrigan, C. Lorrigan, Messrs J. W. Ryan, W. Martin, and Mons. 11. Casier. In our next issue will be published an account of the performance.

The last concert of the Auckland Liedertafel Society is announced for November 4th. when Paliard’s ‘Sea Fight’ will be among the items rendered.