MUSIC AND DRAMA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue VIII, 23 August 1902, Page 472

MUSIC AND DRAMA.

JEAN GERARDY. The world-renoxvned violoncellist, whose photo appears in to-day’s issue, is onee more in onr midst, and commences his second Nexv Zealand tour at the Choral Hall on this (Wednesday) evening, and will give concerts to-morrow and Friday. Those who heard this famous artist last year xvill look forward to Gerardy’s x-eturn, because for the simple reason that the 'cellist is “all he is cracked up to be.” He is admittedly the finest exponent in the world of the ’cello, and xx-hat an instrument is his Stradivarius! It should be, because It cost Gerax-dy £2OOO in London. Then there is the additional feature in regard to the coming- season, inasmuch as he brings Miss Electa Gifford, a brilliant American soprano, recently pr’ma donna at the Royal Grand Opera. Amsterdam, xvhere she xvas axi immense success, and Gottfried Galston, a delightful pianist. The-Lon-don “Telegraph”-said of him last year: “He is a. magnificent pianist of uncommon ability.” So that it xvill be seen that Mr A. H. Canby, the director, is determined that the concerts should be even more attractive than last year’s, and the managerial statement, that the season xvill be the finest evex- given in the musical anna’s of New Zealand, seems quite justified. Gerard.y gives concerts at Nexv Plymouth on the 25‘th, Wanganui 26th. Palmerston North 27th, and Wellington 28th. The box plan is open at Wildman, Lyell and Arey’s.

Wirth Bros.’ amphitheatre in Auckland has been well patronised since our last issue, and oxx Saturday night, when “Cinderella” xvas re-staged foxpositively the last time, a. monster audience assembled. A flash-light photo, xvas taken as a memento of the occasion, and xvas very much more successful than sxxch affairs usually are. The enormous charge of five ounces of magnesium powder was burned, and a terrific flash ensued—eliciting an involuntary! “Oh” from perfoimers and audience alike. The Hoxvard Bros, and other nexv stars are expected by the Paparoa. In the meantime the performance maintains a very high level. There are the Casinos in a nexv and excellent turn, and Miss Sadie Delterelli, the one and onjy lady clown, is also in the bills. The kinenxatograph added on Monday is a wonderfully fine one, and the living pictures are much appreciated by the audiences.

The society entertainer, Mi- Clifford Walker, who so delighted Southern audiences lately, gives two recitals in the Chloral Hall, Auckland, on Thursday and Friday, 28th and 29th instant. Mi- Walker, who has been resting in Auckland since his arrival in that city, is sure to prove an attraction to people of culture and refinement. He is making himself very popular in society in the Northern community, and it is not unlikely xve shall heax- of a Walker boom after his first public appearance. The quiet, unassuming- manner of Mr Walker, his refined voice, and distingue appearance, have already created a most favourable impression amongst those xvho have been brought into contact with him, and it seems certain he will meet with equal success in Auckland as he did in Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin, etc., which is saying a good deal. For the sake of those. Aucklanders xvho have not heard of Mi- Clifford Walker from English papers or friends down South, it may be explained that his entertainment is of a very unique order, and appeals alike tn those who love music, mirth or pathos. The one, indeed, follows the other, and at one moment one may be thrilled at a recitation, at the next enjoying an idyll, and afterwards laughing oneself into convulsions at some whimsicality such as the sermon on the text of Pab-a-caler. In his own line Mr Walker is certainly “facile princeps,” and certainly one of the most finished artists who have visited Nexv Zealand.