WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue V, 3 August 1901, Page 231

WELLINGTON.

Deny Bee, July 25. It is hard to believe we are really in the session months, there is so little going on. We thought last session dull enough, but this is still more dull. The weather has been very wet and dismal lately, and has depressed us, J think, but now that it has brightened, perhaps it will help to brighten things generally. There are not many session people among us yet. Mr and Mrs Heaton Rhodes have arrived, and are in Mr W. R. E. Brown’s house in Tinakori Road; also Mr and Mrs Herries (Tauranga), and Mrs and Miss Walker (Christchurch). Wc are going to have a musical treat during the next few nights, in hearing the ’ great violoncellist, M. Jean Gerardy’, who opens his season in the Opera House to-night. M. Gerardy, who is only 23 years of age, is, accordfing to the numerous critics, an artist of extraordinary genius and ability. He has on various occasions played before our late most gracious Queen Victoria, and has been associated during the last year or so with such artists as Madame Patti, Madame Melba, M. Paderewski, Von Bulow, Tsaye, Han Richter, etc. In my next letter I will be able to tell you how we liked him. M. Gerardy is accompanied by Mr Lawrence Phillip, as sole pianist and accompanist, and Miss Jeanne Ramsay has been engaged as vocalist for the season.

We are greatly looking' forward to the visit of the Williamson. Musgrove Opera Company next month. It is so long since we have had anthing good at the theatre, that this company will certainly be appreciated, and their list of productions is very attractive. A very jolly little dance was given at the Hutt last Friday by Mr V. Riddiford, who is at present ’quite alone at his house, Mr and Mrs and Miss Riddiford being still in England. Mr Riddiford proved himself an excellent host, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The house was prettily decorated, and a tempting supper laid out in the diningroom. Some of those present were the Misses Fitzherbert, Coleridge, Johnston, Bell, Gore, Sprott, Harcourt, Hislop, Beetham, Higginson, Williams, Broad, and the Messrs Duncan. Higginson, Gore, Fitzherbert. Johnston, Coleridge, Hadfield, Crawford, Harcourt, and others. OPHELIA.