Music and Drama.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue VIII, 24 August 1901, Page 369

Music and Drama.

’ Mr John F. Sheridan ran “When the Lamps Are Lighted” to full houses last week in Auckland, and it was not till kSatmrday that the exciting melodrama gave place to the amusing farce comedy “A Trip to Chicago.” The new piece partakes a good deal of the character of “Fun on the Bristol,” Air Sheridan’s most famous production. Here the genial aetor is once more a lady, and the pivot on which the entire fun and frolie of the evening revolves. Johanna Murphy, as her name bespeaks her, is Irish, with all the volubility, outspokenness and vigour of the Widow O'Brien, and not a whit less of that matron's humour. The play is of the accommodating nature of musical comedies generally, and permits the introduction of numerous interpolations, which certainly add to the amusement of the audience. Of these Mr Sheridan’s impersonation of Juliet BrownPotter in the duologue “Romeo and Juliet” is laughable in the extreme. To-morrow evening (Wednesday) Dion Boucieault’s great Irish drama “The Shaughraun" will be staged. ■Many who heard Mr Donald Macdonald, the Australian war correspondent. lecture on the South African campaign, predicted that he would make a big success as a lecturer on anything besides war. It now appears that his own spirit prompting him, or that of his pushing representative, Air Edward Geaeh. Mr Macdonald is to act on the advice given him by many of his admirers. He has just returned from a tour of the world, and will commence a lecture season in Sydney shortly. The principal lecture is “London Up-to-Date.” “Florodora." under the wing of the Pollard Opera Company, boomed in Dunedin. The “Geisha" followed, and had equal success. Madame Belle Cole gave no concert in Wellington lately, as she had previously arranged to do. Musgrove’s Grand Opera; Company being there she elected to go on to Napier. t . ..

On September 16th the Nance O'Neil Company opens a season at Capetown, and Mr Joe St. Clair, so long one of Mr J. C. Williamson's managers, sailed from Albany by the Damascus a little over a fortnight ago to prepare for the South African campaign. Mr McKee Rankin takes with him as leading man Mr Thomas Kingston.

Madame Clementine De Vere Sapio, now with Air J. C. Williamson's Italian Opera Company in Sydney, is regarded as a great acquisition to that organisation. Signor Sapio, her husband, who acompanied his wife to Australia, but had recently to return to America, is a conductor of note. He recently conducted a season of grand opera in English at the America Theatre, New York, under the management of Messrs Grau and Savage-

Mr Charles Kensington Salaman, who died recently in London, at the great age of 87 years, was the “father” of the Royal Society of Musicians. He published continuously from 1828 to 1878, composed some fine choral services (Hebrew) for the chief synagogue in London, and made a world-wide reputation for one especi-

ally charming song. “I Arise from Dreams of Thee.”

Becky Sharp, the new play founded on Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair,” is to be produced this month at the Prince of Wales’ Theatre. London, under the direction of Mr Dion Boucicault.

Wellington has not been behind Auckland in the warmth of the reception it accorded Mr Musgrove's Grand Opera Company. The organisation is certain to do splendid business in the Empire City, if, as it seems pretty certain, the succeeding weeks of the season are as good as the first has been.

Melbourne “Punch" describes Mr P. R. Dix as the “Maoriland Vaudeville Colossus.” It is understood the term has no reference to Mr Dix's substantial proportions, which prosperity has so markedly developed.

Mr Horry Quealy, of Pollards, is a big attraction in “Florodora." His song and dance brings down tho house.

Bernard's circus will play in Auckland for a brief season shortly.

Miss Florence Young, well known in the colonies in connection with Williamson's Opera Companies, will again join Mr Williamson's present companyin October. She will play the leading parts in “San Toy” and other musical comedies.

Mascangni is to be paid £ 2000 a week for a season of eight weeks in America, the money to be lodged in a bank in Italy before he' starts. His orchestra will consist of ninety- performers from the Pesaro Lyceum, of which he is director. His wife and children will accompany him. “I ardently- hope," he said to an interviewer, “to win favour with the Americans, as American opinion is rapidly becoming tho touchstone of artistic success, whether musical or otherwise.”

Mons. Jean Gerardy- has left for ’Frisco, having in the space of a little over a fortnight afforded dwellers in the chief urban centres of the colony the chance of hearing a past master on that singularly- beautiful instrument the ’cello. In Auckland, as elsewhere, Mons. Gerardy was received with boundless enthusiasm. He is unquestionably a great artist, and one of whom we are bound to hear more in the future. The three concerts in the Choral Hall were very largely attended. and those present will not easily forget the marvellous ease with which the young Belgian overcame the severest technical difficulties and the exquisite tone he produced from the beautiful Stradivarius. It is understood that the youthful virtuoso is so pleased with his reception in the colonies that he will return in about eighteen months time.