MUSIC AND DRAMA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 17, 28 April 1906, Page 17

MUSIC AND DRAMA.

After playing to excellent houses for over a week, the Sheridan Company withdrew “The Earl and the Girl” on Tuesday, replacing that jovial production with "The Lady Slavey.” It is not possible to give a criticism in this issue as the paper will be in the press when the curtain rises; but from previous experience there can be no doubt, that the sail! "Slavey'’ will be warmly welcomed. ! J» J* Before opening in Auckland, Mr. R. G. Knowles appears at Hamilton, May 3rd, Raeroa 4th, Waibi sth. j J» Jl A coloured moving picture entitled “ The Dream of a Motor Car,” over 2000 feet long, will be a feature of the R. G. Knowles opening programme in Auckland. h J* J* People who associate Mr. Knowles’ present work with that of his vaudeville days, which earned him so much fame and fortune, will be much surprised after witnessing his new entertainment. Mr. Knowles has completely somersaulted into another sphere, and it is said of him that few artists would have made the rapid change so well and •o cleverly. V J» ■* Mr. Knowles has been interviewed 2000 times in the course of his career. ■To an interviewer the great comedian is excellent copy, discussing well and thoroughly every subject under the sun. He promises to say something about New Zealand in the near future. ■' ■ d* -J* Madame Lilian Tree, the well-known local prima donna, left by the Takapuna on Monday for Wellington to jotn the Gothic for London, where she will take up permanent residence. Madame Tree’s generosity with her powers as a Binger, and the help »he has given the Choral Society and other Auckland musital institutions, have made her many, friends, who will regret her departure. 'J» 'JU 1 Herr Benno Bcherek, so well known in New Zealand as pianist and musical

adviser to Mr George Musgrove, is now touring the English provinces as accompanist to little Mischa Elman, the gifted boy violinist. Jl J« At a meeting of the committee of the Chriateiiureh Musical Union, held recently, Mr. Garrard intimated that, owing to increasing age, he would be compelled, at the end of the year, to retire from the position of honorary secretary and treasurer, oilices which he had held for over 16 years. The work had been arduous, particularly in late years, and he found it was too much for his strength. The work had always been a labour of love with him, and it would be with feelings of sincere regret that he would sever his connection with the Union. The members were unanimous in the expressions of regret at Mr. Garrard’s retirement. Jt je Madame Clara Butt, who is to visit Australia and New Zealand, is the leading female concert platform artiste of the present time in England, and her reputation as a singer of ballads is known in all the English speaking world. She is gifted with a voice of the purest and singularly rich quality, which in the lower register is like an organ. Her voice is pure contralto, not mezzo-so-prano, as most so-called contraltos of the pnesent time are. and having a wonderful platform appearance completely carries her audiences away by her beautiful singing. Mr. Kcnnerley Rumford, who is Madame Butt’s husband, is the possessor of a fine baritone voice, and will accompany Madame Butt on her Australian and New Zealand tour, which will be under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait, of Melbourne. Jl Jl Mr Andrew Black, the famous English basso, commences his New Zealand tour in Dunedin in His Majesty’s Theatre off the 25th of this month. Messrs. J. and N. Tait, under whose direction Mr. Black is touring, send word from Melbourne that the artist's appearances in both Melbourne and Adelaide evoked remarkable enthusiasm. Mr. Black has the happy knack of choosing programmes to suit the most mixed audiences, and amongst his songs are some of the famous Scotch songs, as an exponent of this class of music Mr. Black is quite unequalled. Quite a number of the late Sir Arthur Sullivan’s songs will also be found on the programmes, and Mr. Black is at his best when singing, what is regarded as this composer’s best composition, “Thou ’rt Passing Hence.” Mr. Black brings with him a violiniste, Miss Ethel Sinclair, who is from London, and also a young Hungarian pianist, Herr Adolphe Borschke, who is a pupil of the famous Leschetitsky. > J» “The Fatal Wedding,’’ which Mr. G. Homan Barnes is bringing over to New Zealand for Messrs. Meynell and Gunn, is being well received’ in Melbourne, where it made its Australian debut. Miss May Congdon and Mr. Charles JVane, who take the principal parts, are newcomers from the Old Country, and they at once established themselves as and the critics have nothing but praise for them. The company also includes Miss Amy Singleton, who M

well-known for her clever imperaontions; Mr. Herbert Leigh, late of the Knight-Jeffries Co.; Mr. Oily Deering, a great local favourite; Mr. Tom Caunarn, who has been with the “ J.P.” Co.; Miss Cooper, late of the Knight-Jeffries Co., and Mr. C. R. Stanford. In addition, there is a very clever young lady. Miss Maisie Posner, who, although only ten years of age. has shown sufficient promise to justify her selection for an important part in the production. J» During Mr Ernest Schatz’s visit to Auckland he said, in conversation with Mr Thomas Humphreys, that he should like Mr Tom Pollard to read over the “book” of “The Typist,” and hear the music, with a view to the Christchurch Amateurs taking it up. Mr Pollard did so. and we are able to publish his criticism of the work. Under date of April 7th he says-.—“ Dear Mr Humphreys, I have read, with very great interest, your musical comedy, The Lady Typist,” and, if played smartly, I predict a very big success. The •business’ is well thought out, and the chorus work unique. The piece gives great scope for groupings and stage effects, the music is charming, and has plenty of ‘go’ in it. Taken altogether, the work is one that delights the hearts of a stage manager, for he can see probabilities in every line of the dialogue and music. Wishing you every success, I am. yours. Tom Pollard.” Mr Pollard has, furthermore, advised the Christchurch Amateurs to secure the rights immediately. Mr Bert Royle, writing from Napier, says:—• "If by my name and offices I can further the success of ‘The Lady Typist’ in any way, only let me know.’’ We may state that the costumiere has begun work, rehearsals are well advanced. and Mr F. 11. Graham, who is at present in Dunedin, is hard at work on the “book,’' arranging all the “business” of the play. The guarantee list is full, and all concerned in the forthcoming production are most enthusiastic. Jl Jt Speaking of the pianoforte recital given in Wellington by the Misses Webbe and iSpooner, of Auckland, the “Evening Post” describes it as an unqualified success. "The programme,” remarks the paper, "was unusually full, mid the pieces such as demanded more than ordinary powers of execution, but the audience—perhaps a little inconsiderately—called for numerous encores, four of which were granted. Those, who were present at a private recital given last year by Miss Webbe, have ever since been looking forward to the public performance half-promised on that occasion, and last night their pleasant anticipations were more than fulfilled. She was associated with another brilliant musician from the same city. To draw comparisons between the two players would be as difficult as unnecessary — what chiefly impressed the audience in this respect was the remarkable similarity they displayed in style and method, a point of not little importance in maintaining perfect balance in the difficult pieces arranged for two pianos. Even more remarkable was the display of musical memory. Every item, including the encore pieces, was given without reference to any printed score." "The New Zealand Times” says: “It would be. hard to select which of Miss Webbe’s soli were most delightful, but the audience seemed to take most’ pleasure in the Chopin Cradle Song, Op. 27. and the wonderful transcription of Mendelssohn's Wedding March. The hater is a tremendous 'tour de force”; the former a tender lullaby, each in its own way displaying Miss Webbe’s extraordinary command of the keyboard, and also her refined musical sentiment. In the same, way we may refer to Miss Spooner’s Chopin numbers, a nocturne, ball-ad. and raise, bracketed together. They were splendidly played; but still we liked that, charming trifle of Sclui mann’s ‘Why?’ Miss Spooner's playing of Liszt's arrangement at ISchuberi’s ‘Erl King 1 was very fine. The wrists of this fragile girl apparently have the strength of steel springs. She played those terrific left-hand octave pawmgew with n rapidity that caused them to sound like thunder peals."

Both Miss Webbe and Mis* Spooner are pupil* of the Webbe School of Music. Auckland.

An excellent concert was given in Ilia Town Hall, Wellington, last week by Madame Alice Gower Burns, of Christchurch, Mr. Cyril Towsey, Wellington, and Mr* Hamilton Hodges, Auckland. There was a very good attendance, but had the public known of the musical treat in store for them there would have beena much larger audience. Mr. Towsey opened the concert with a fine performance of the introduction to the thmird act of "Tannhauser,” and “The Pilgrim’s Chorus.” Later on Mr. Towsey played Lemare's transcription of Rubenstein's “Reve Angelique." “Guiiinaut’s "Funeral March,” and the “Hymn of the Seraphs,” and the toccata from the "Suit Gothique.” As encores he. gave as piano soli, Chopin’s “Marche Funebre,” and “Polonaise” in C sharp minor. He also accompanied the vocalists in the first part on the organ, and in the second on the piano. Mrs. Gower Burn* was in excellent voice. Her solos were “Hear Ye Israel," from Mendelssohn’s "Elijah,” Handel’s “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth” and as encore, Florence Aylward’s ,r ßelovcd, It is Morn,” and Bishop’s Aria, “Lo! Hear the Gentle Lark,” for which Mr. Leon Cohen played the flute obligato. This last was most enthusiastically received, and in rfesponse to an imperative encore, she repeated the closing phrase of the song. Mr. Hamilton Hodge’s contributions were Schubert’s “Erl King.” Gounod's “Nazareth,” William Wallace's “The Freebooters,” and as encores “Ever So Par Away” (Broun), “Love's Cure" (Harold Light), and an aria from Samson. The concert was such a success in every way that it is hoped the promoters will make this the initial performance ot a series of popular concerts.