Music and Drama

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue IX, 26 August 1899, Page 25

Music and Drama

On Monday, the 4th September the boys of King’s College, Auckland, will give a performance of certain parts of “Julius Caesar” in the Auckand Opera House. The booking for the occasion has been phenomenal, as the pay bills say, and already there are fed seats to be had.

On Sunday last the Steele-Payne Bellringers gave a. sacred concert in the Auckland Opera House.

The Afro-American Minstrels have had a prosperous first week in Auckland, and the entertainment is still drawing good houses. One of the attractions is Mr Percy Denton, formerly original comedian of the celebrated Moore and Burgess Minstrels, who came to Australia, with the “Belle of New York” Company. On Monday evening there was a complete change of programme. Herr Friedenthal, whose pianoforte playing has been delighting Auckland audiences, decided last week to prolong his stay in New Zealand, and will tour the Southern parts of the colony, returning to Auckland in time to catch the mail steamer for 'Frisco, which leaves the Northern port three weeks hence. Herr Friedenthal has an engagement for the Paris Exhibition, and Continental fixtures extending over three years. The Auckland Choral Hall was filled to overflowing on Tuesday of last week, when the local Choral Society performed Rossini’s “Moses in Egypt.” Notwithstanding the length nf the evening—the performance lasted two hours and three quarters—the reception accorded the oratorio proved both its popularity and the general satis-

faction give* by the performers. Svlduiu has the Society produced a work that enlists the services of so luauy soloists, and hence the performance gives as much variety, so far as the number of singers is concerned, as any ordinary concert. The following ladies and gentlemen took the solo parts: —Miss Lorrigan, Mk> Mennie, Miss Reeve. Mr W. Martin, Mr M. I rellwith. Mr A. G. Murphy, Mr J. \V. Rvan, Mr Hamilton Hodges, Mr Wilfred Manning. These, with an exceptional! v strong chorus and a very efficient body of instrumentalists, made up a powerful organisation well able to do justice to the oratorio. The <horal singing was marked by great force and precision. Among the numbers deserving mention “From Thy Fury. Israel.” “Hope’s Rosy Morn,** and “See Yonder.” First among the lady soloists was Miss Lorrigan. Whether alone or when singing in concert with others her clear, high voice was heard to great advantage. Iler duet with Mr Manning. “Losing Thee, My Delight.” and the other with Miss Reeve. “In Israel’s Camp Alone I Weep,” were two of the best applauded items of the evening. Her rendering of the aria “Terrible Destjpy Pursue Me.” was especially creditable. To Mr Hamilton Hodges among the male vocalists praise is due for the dramatic manner in which he took the part of Pharaoh. His duet with Mr Martin, “Love. Grief My Soul,” was a number that gave scope for both voices, and proved a favourite with the audience. The orchestra was led by M. de Willimoff. and Mr T eslie Hunt presided at the organ, while the concert was conducted by Herr Carl Schmitt. The Society have chosen for their next performance Afassinet’s “Mary Afagdalen.”

Afiss Annie Lorrigan, who sang the soprano solo at the recent production of “Moses in Egypt,” by the Auckland Choral Society, left Auckland for Palmerston North on Thursday last. She was engaged to sing the. solos in Haydn’s “Creation” • and Handel’s “Judas Maccabeus,* which the Palmerston North Society give this week.

'rhe “Belle of New York” Company

has arrived from Australia and opens in Dunedin. The piece will be played and mounted as in Australia. Mr Albert Whelan, "ho since the death of Mr Oscar Girand. has played the principal comedy part in the piece, is with the company. •The Forty Thieves” Pantomime Company leaves Melbourne next week for New Zealand to eo-operate with the Pollards in the production of the piece. Mr William Hassan, the celebrated animal impersonator. Little Gulliver, the eccentric comedian, and sixteen of the Royal Ballerinas are included in the company. The Broughs have postponed their intended visit to New Zealand, business in Sydney proving too good to leave that centre just now. Mr J. C. Williamson is going Home shortly on a hunt for fresh novelties.

A short play entitled “A Question of Degree.” written by Mr C. P. Williams, of the Christchurch Savage Club, was staged the other day in Christchurch. The same evening another original play by Mr Cane was produced. The New Zealand Natives’ (Christchurch branch) Operatic Society will produce “Rip Van Winkle” in October next. Mr Pollard having generously lent the Society all the scenery and properties in connection with the opera.

Mr A. 11. Gee, once of Auckland, has been appearing at a series of concerts at. the Spa Theatre, Harrowgate, and winning no little renown there.

Mr IV. A. Laver, of the Melbourne ConservatoriuTti of Music (says the “Sydney Mail"), is visiting Sydney for the purpose of obtaining Ministerial interest in the proposed Conservatorium of Music. With Mr Daniel O'Connor, Mr Laver has waited upon the Minister of Education, and submitted a scheme for the establishment of a Chair of Music at the Sydney University, and the formation of a Conservatorium of Music. The Sv’dney College of Music held a meeting on July 31 to discuss its claims to consideration if the Government decides to consider the question.