Music and Drama.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue VI, 5 August 1899, Page 203

Music and Drama.

“H.M.S. Pinafore” has recently been revived at the Savoy, London, and the critics and the public have been as enthusiastic over it as ever.

Conon Doyle’s new comedy “Halves” has only been a partial success. Miss Lalla Miranda, the Victorian soprano, has just completed an engagement of 18 months as principal light soprano at the Grand Opera House, La Hague, Holland. “The Physician,” Henry Arthur Jones’ play, which the Broughs are producing in Sydney, is regarded as one of their strongest pieces. Miss Maribel Greenwood, supported by a strong company, appeared at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, in “Romeo and Juliet.” The performance, which Was in aid of the hospital funds, was favoured with the presence of Lord Beauchamp, the Lieutenant-Governor and Lady Darley, the Mayor and Lady Harris, Sir Joseph Abbott, Sir A. Renwick, and the committee of the Sydney Hospital. This evening (Tuesday) the Australian Dramatic Company commence a season in the Auckland Opera House. The first production will be Irving’s great success “The Bells,” and the second “The Secrets of the Police.” On Saturday the Auckland Gaiety Company celebrated its 100th performance. Herr Friedenthal, the famous German pianist, who has been giving concerts in Australia, will visit Auckland on liis way to Canada. He will only have time to give one or two recitals in the Northern city. As he is a very distinguished musician Aucklanders may expect a treat that no other town in the colony will have a chance of enjoying. Miss Maud Beatty, of Pollard’s Opera Company, was married to Mr J. Milbourne, of Australia, on the . Saturday

before last, at St. Peter’s Church, Wellington. Miss Beatty will continue with the Pollards till the termination of her engagement, in February next. A commencement was recently made in the building of the new Opera House for Wanganui, when the foundation stone was laid by Mr A. Hatrick, the Mayor. The building is being erected by the municipality, at a cost of £4597. and will seat 1000 persons. Enterprising Wanganui. Mr Musgrove, of “The Firm,” has secured the rights of the opera of “Robin Hood” for his company. Miss Sharp, of Bendigo, who is to be brought before the Melbourne public shortly, is said to be a second Amy Castles. x Miss May Beatty has recovered from her recent illness, but will not resume work till the opening of the Pollard season in Christchurch on Monday next.

The Auckland Choral Society gave 'its third concert of the season on Tuesday of last week. The work of entertainment on this occasion fell chiefly on the orchestra, the singing being confined to a few soloists. Undoubtedly the new departure was a good idea. It relieved the members of the chorus and gave to the admirable orchestra of the Society an opportunity to display its powers, which, under ordinary circumstances, it does not get. The orchestral pieces were the overture to Auber’s “Masanvello,” the overture to the same composer’s “Gustavus,” and an arrangement of Riviere’s “La Fille du Tambour Major.” All three selections were given with great spirit and correctness, and were highly appreciated. Wieniawski’s familiar “Legende” was performed w’ith exquisite power by M. de Willimoff, who on this occasion seemed to exercise a larger control over his violin and to elicit from it

sweeter music than ever. The orchestra accompanied, and against the faint musical murmur of the combined instruments the pure strong tones of the violin welled out with wonderful charm. The item was loudly applauded aud had to be repeated in part. Mr T. C. Webb contributed two organ solos, Gounod's “Marche Militaire” and Handel’s “Cuckoo Concerto.” The latter proved a particular favourite, and Mr Webb was twice recalled. Songs were contributed by Miss F. H. Page, Miss Ethel Boulton, and Mr R. S. Briggs. The first-mentioned lady, who is a new soprano, sang “Mv Dearest Heart” (Sullivan) and “Farewell” (Hope Temple) in good style, while Miss Boulton gave a very successful interpretation of Professor Schmitt’s \ alse t hantante,” the orchestra accompanying her. Mr Briggs’ songs were “Will O’ the Wisp” and “The Gold Seeker.”

I illiers, the war correspondent, is now in Australia, and opinions are diverse regarding the quality of his entertainment. Experiences he seems to have in plenty, but he does not always appear to interest people in them. From Australia he comes on to New Zealand.

The Last Evenin er °f Brummel” Is the title of the one-act play lately given in Paris. The Beau, living in humble lodgings, receives a visit from Lady Jersey. Brummel is temporarilydriven out of his mind by- the sight of her, believing George IV., Sheridan, Byron and other former friends to be about him. The aged face of his visitor subsequently recalls him to himself for a moment, but he soon relapses into complete insanity. Mrs Langtry’s daughter Jeanne has this spring made her debut in society. A cablegram to the “New York World” announced “on unimpeachable authority” the secret marriage of Ignace Jan Paderewski to Madame Gorski, the divorced wife of a prominent Paris violinist. Two or three days later the New York journal pubdays later the New York journal printed a cablegram which stated on equally “unimpeachable authority”

(that of Parorewski’a manager) -WhaA the story of the marriage was a janre fabrication. Now, as the “Wotjd” states that Paderewski is married and the “Journal” assures its readers that he is not, and, as neither of these papers has ever been known to publish a “fake statement,” it is difficult to decide whether Paderewski is married or not. It reminds one of the question, “What the result would be if an irresistible force were to meet with an immovable body.” It has now been discovered that the pitch of a person's voice determines the character and disposition of that person, or rather denotes them. For instance, it will be found that persons whose voices are pitched in the key of C are of a social turn, aud their whole make up is amiable. D voices indicate cheerfulness and hopefulness. E indicates a sanguine temperament. Those whose voices are pitched in F are earnest and sincere, those in G are egotistical and domineering, those in A are fretful, nervous and pathetic, while those in B are timid and apprehensive and lack confidence aud selfcontrol. The semi-toues are similarly distributed, but the diatonic scale is given as a sample. With this solution anyone can judge of the qualifications and dispositions of those with whom he comes in contact.

Paul Cinquevalli’s performances at the Tivoli, Sydney, continue to be the talk of the town. The encomiums lavished on him make us New Zealanders anxious to see the great juggler. “Nothing,” says the Sydney “News,” “has ever been seen here to approach him as an equilibrist aud juggler.”