Music and the Drama.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume I, Issue 7, 1 April 1900, Page 559

Music and the Drama.

Professor Carl Sciimitt. By the death of Professor Carl Schmitt, the musical world of New Zealand loses a most distinguished ornament. Though for nearly the whole of the past twenty years he was closely associated with Auckland, he made his influence felt over a far wider area, and

his departure for the Unknown Land leaves a void that cannot easily be filled. Carl Schmitt was a son of Dr. Aloys Schmitt, a well-known German authority on music, who was at one time Hoff Kappelmeister at Munich. That position in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Sclvwerin is held by the late Professor's brother, Herr Aloys Schmitt,

It was some time in tho early sixtios whon Carl Schmitt first camo to Now Zealand, and after a short stay in Auckland ho journoycd to Tasmania, whore ho became musical director and honorary aide-do-camp to Sir Frederick Weld, the then Governor. Travelling to Sydney, he held the leadership of tho Sydney Philharmonic Society and other important musical positions. He stayed some fow years in the capital of Now South Wales before returning home to Germany. Thoro he found the climate too trying, and ho returned to Sydney. It was then lie met that scholar, musician and good fellow, the late Judge Fonton, who induced him to come to Auckland and take in hand tho Auckland Choral Society. Arriving in tho fair Northern City in 1881, he, by strenuous effort and marked ability, lifted tho Society from a slough of despond, and made it ono of tho foremost musical societies in tho colony. That position it still holds, thanks to Carl Schmitt's unceasing interest and kindly teaching. As a conductor ho was masterly, and his kind and genial manner endeared him to the members of the societies with which he was connected, and to his many private pupils. Professor Schmitt had much to do with the formation of tho Auckland Amateur Opera Club, he founded tho Young Ladies' Orchestra, and was Lecturer on Music to the Auckland University up to the time of his death. He held honorary oiUces in great number, was in earlier yeirs a keen volunteer, and was generally beloved by all , with whom he came in contact. One can ; imagine that if ho could have bid good-byo : to all his friends, he would have said : i " Give me a hand— and yon— and you- • And deem me grateful, and farewell {"

Mdlle. Antotnettr Tjikbmli It is very pleasing to know that Mademoiselle Trebelli is meeting with much the same sort of triumph in America as she gained during her tour-; of the Australasian Colonies last winter. The famous songstress created a

very favourable impression on the occasion of her first visit to New Zealand, and the reception given her by the music-loving public was very cordial. But it was mild in comparison to the warm greeting she reoeived last year. Commencing in Auckland Mademoiselle Trebelli went through the

colony right away to Invercargill, and every concert was attended by large crowds of delighted listeners. In Sydney and Melbourne it was the same, and at Hobart the artiste was presented with a laurel wreath made of Tasmanian gold as a souvenir of her triumphal

progress in Tasmania. That wreath will always be cherished by the accomplished soprano as an evidence of artistic appreciationLong before she reached America the big cities were heralding her coming with rapture, and according to accounts they have not been disappointed, Disappointment was

impossible, for on the concert platform Mademoiselle Trebelli's voice is at its best. Though hardly powerful enough for operatic work, but absolutely charming in style and delivery, her singing will live long in the memories of those who have been privileged to hear her — the gifted daughter of a talented in >t her.

Mrss Maud Be att y (Mrs. J. Milbukn). It is only truth to say that when play-goers heard that the popular young New Zealander, Miss Maud Beatty, was about to retire from the stage, they were greviously disappointed. Miss Beatty has been married some months now, but still we miss the clever "boy " who largely helped to make successes of many of

Mr. Tom Pollard's productions. Miss Boatty whs for more than eight yours a member of the Pollard Company, and during that time there never was a more hard-working or painstaking young lady. Heloved by her follow workers, sho was admired by the public, and it would have been bard to find :i more pnpuliir aotivss on Ihr Austniliisi:tii

stage at the time of her retirement. Some idea of Miss Beatty's work can be gained by a glance at her very extensivo repertoire. During her eight years' career sho played the following parts : Peter Blobbs in "An Adamless Eden," Genii of the Ring in "Aladdin," Charlie Gold Geld in "A Gaiety Girl," Boccaccio in the comic opera of that

name, William in that silly concoction "Saucy Susie," Prince Eucalyptus in "DjinDjin," The Chevalier in "Erminie," Boleslas in "Falka," Captain Vladimir in "Fatinitza," The Pirate King in " Girofle-Grirofla," Mad Nance in " Handy Andy," Lord Clanside in "In Town," Pippo and Fretfcelini in "La Mascotte," Madame Hilarius in" La Poupee," Sergeant Verto in "Madame Favart," Buckingham in "Nell Gwynne," Mdlle. Lange in "Madame Angot," Valentine in " Olivette," the title role in " Paul Jones," Grosvenor in "Patience," Fairy Queen in "Prince Bulbb," Captain Corcoran and Ralph Rackstraw in "H.M.S. Pinafore," Hans in "Rip Tan Winkle," Captain Robert in "Tambour Major," Pirate King and Frederick in " The Pirates of Penzance," Gruiseppe in "The Gondoliers," Katishain "The Mikado," Manola in "The Princess of Trebizonde," Do Montaland in " Tho Little Duke," Mrs. Honeycomb in " The Gay Parisienne," Abdallah in "The Forty Thieves," Don Luiz in " Tho Black Cloaks," Lady Hawser in "The French Maid," The Duchess and Captain Fritz in "The Merry War," The Marquis in '• Les Cloches des Cornevillo," and George Harris in " Uncle Tom's Cabin." The foregoing is a rather heavy list of characters for such a young actress, but Miss Beatty always got through her work in excellent style. Possessing a powerful voice, an elegant figure and a handsome stage presence, she made a dashing "boy," and but for Cupid she might have made a reputation extending far beyond the boi'ders of her native land.

appreciation bestowed by the critics is only a just reward given to true merit. It is stated that Miss Stewart is to appear in pantomime at the Princess' Theatre, Melbourne, next Christmas, but I should not be at all surprised to hear that she has gone in for comic opera. I know her desire leans in that direction, and as a wilful woman generally has her way — especially if she is pretty and clever — Melbourne may wake up one fine morning, and be all agog to hear and see Miss Nellie Stewart in the latest London successes in the way of comic opera,