MUSIC AND DRAMA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue I, 5 July 1902, Page 41

MUSIC AND DRAMA.

So far as this colony is concerned, theatrical news this week is just now decidedly not of au important or novel character. The various companies who have been touring the colony North and South for the past month or two have each moved on a stage, and that is about all there is to report. The William Anderson Dramatic Co. (No. 2) have finished their Auckland season satisfactorily, and the World's Entertainers, whoso fine show we have had cause to praise so many times during their tour of the colony, is now in possession of the Auckland Opera House. When they vacate the building, after a short season —which it is evident is going to be a fabulous financial success—the builders will take possession, and the work of demolition and reconstruction will Ixl commenced. This will be carried on witli the utmost despatch, for the substantial alterations, improvements, and decorations put in hand must positively be completed before September 22, when Miss Nellie Stewart and Mr Musgrove’s Comedy Co. open in “Sweet Nell of Old Drury,” which has created a furore of enthusiasm wherever produced on the other side in Australia and Tasmania.

Dunedin is now applauding the incomparable Cinquevalli, who terminates hiq season there on July 12. The Company will doubtless do good business in the Southern capital, but a fortnight of a travelling variety company is rather a daring “spec” in that city of sober Scots.

That excellent bioscope entertainment, “Our Navy,” seems to do well all over New Zealand. It moved up to Christchurch last week, and there continued till Monday, when it again took the road, and is just now doing some of the smalls. With the exception of a local concert, the Theatre Royal in Christchurch will remain vacant till the 24th inst., when the peripatetic Pollards once more make a reappearance for four nights only.

No doubt Mr Dix will put his very best foot foremost in Auckland when the Opera House closes down. The eireus offers strong opposition for one thing, and Me D. is far too cute a manager to not know that it is a monstrous bad thing to let theatre-goers get into a habit of staying at home o’ nights. Theatregoing is much a matter of habit with many, and if left off for a long period can l>e left off altogether. The Gaiety programme during)- the past week or so has not been up to the excellent standard Mr Dix maintained pretty continuously for the last two years up till the last, few days. It would be a pity to let the thing drop back, more especially now when there are so few other entertainments available.

“Ping-pong amongst the Tigers” is the sensation of the hour in Auckland. This Wednesday evening a ping-pong tournament by local players is to take place in the tiger's cage. The Wirth Bios, give such an excellent entertainment as a. rule, and eater so well for young and old that the present departure seems to this paper to be regretted. It is pandering to a morbid craving for sensationalism, without a redeeming point in its favour, save its novelty, and this is no great thing, for after all it is a mere variant of the marriage amongst the lions or tigers, etc., etc. , It is pleasant, on the other hand, to be able to announce that in all other respects a better managed circus show has

seldom been seen in this colony, and that • Cinderella pantomime is in rehearsal, over which children are already wild with excitement. There are tp be 100 children in the production.

Seldom has a larger or more enthusiastic audience filled the Choral Hall than that which gathered on Friday last to hear the concert given by the Auckland Liedertafel. The part songs by the 39 singers present were received with every demonstration of approval, and the whole affair was a most unequivocal success- A feature in the performance was “The Soldiers’ Chorus,’’ with full band accompaniment, and the very beautiful “Voice of the Torent.” But all the items were enjoyable. The “Thirty Thieves” has worked its way into public favour on the other side, chiefly through the merit of some of its principals and the manner of its production. The Princess’s, Melbourne, has no reason to complain of the want of patronage. New songs, with topical allusions, have been introduced—there was a time when Mr Musgrove scorned the idea of tickling the ears of the groundlings in this way-wand the brightness of the performance disarms criticism. Mr Edward Lauri is a comedian of indefatigable agility, and Mr Piddock increases the appreciation with which he has been received. Miss Josephine Stanton. Miss May Beatty, Mr Foster Courtenay, and others contribute also to the general result.

The enterprise of Mr Slapoffski (here with the Musgrove Opera Co.) in presenting Tcltaikowsky’s “Symphonic Pathetique” to the Sydney public, has not failed to elicit the support of that section of the public which is capable of appreciating the highest efforts of musical genius. The Town Hall on Saturday afternoon was filled by a large and representative audience, who listened to this marvellous production of the Russian composer. The novelty and originality of the movements, even on a single hearing* create a profound impression, and the force of feeling displayed cannot fail to strike responsive chords. Mr Slapoffski has made the musical public his debtor, and there should be no question about the encouragement which should induce him to continue the undertaking he has commenced. Madame Slapoffski’s beautiful voice, so often appreciated during the Musgrove opera season last year, was heard to advantage in the selection from Berlioz's “Damnation of Faust ” Mr Slapoffski has arranged to repeat the concert at an early date. It is said that Mascagni has been greatly disappointed because the post of director to the Academia di Santa Cecilia, at Rome, left vacant by the death of Marchetti, for which he was a candidate, has been bestowed upon Falchi, the composer of an opera entitled “11 Trillo del Diavolo.” Meanwhile Mascagni’s position as a director of the Conservatory at Pesaro seems to be somewhat uncertain. At the last meeting of the Pesaro Town Council serious complaints were, made of his behaviour. He receives a stipend of £4BO, for which, it is alleged, he makes a very poor re.turn. He leaves the Conservatory to look after itself for ten months out of twelve, and only goes to Pesaro for the bathing season, which happens to be holiday time at the Conservatory. The attendance at the farewell concert of Miss Amy Castles at the Melbourne Exhibition Building is quoted at 18.000 people, and the receipts at popular prices amounted to £1.222— in both cases a record for Australia.