The STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 385, 9 December 1897, Page 14

The STAGE

[By

Orpheus.]

Me Harry Connell’s Annual Pupils’ Congest.—On Saturday evening, 4th inst., at St. Sepulchre’s School-room, a most interesting and successful entertainment was thoroughly enjoyed by a large gathering of friends and the general public. It is always a pleasure to hear the results achieved by the patient and conscientious training of a capable teacher, and Mr Connell certainly merits high praise for the marked advance displayed by his pupils all round. That dire foe to the vocal chords, influenza, kept some of the best pupils in bed and handicapped the performance of others who nevertheless sang very well indeed. A special mention must be made, of the piano quartettes, a form of music which high authorities pronounce the most perfect attainable on that

instrument. The reason is not difficult to find. In attempting to reproduce on a piano the effects of an orchestral score it is scarcely pos-ible to provide for the parts of many instruments on one piano, but with two pianos and eight hands the difficulty may be to a great extent overcome. The quartettes given included Schubert’s “ Rosamund,” a “Rondo Mignon” (by Mohr), and a ‘- Marche Heroique” (by the same composer), all excellently played by the members of Mr Connell s quartette classes, viz., Mrs Charters and the Misses Sellars, Goldsbro, Kissling, Laird, Preece, Sloman, etc. By the children’s quartette class a march by Mohr and a selection from Verdi’s “ Rigoletto” were accurately rendered—the firstnamed by the Misses Sloman (3) and Eileen Hill; the second by the Misses Et-hna Pierce, Eileen Lewis, and Masters Guy Pierce and Tom Lewis, quite a family quartette. Pianoforte solos were very well rendered by Misses E. Martin (sonatina No. 2 by Lange), Eileen Hill (Lange’s sonatina No. 4), N. Parker (Turner’s allegro gfacioso), Katherine Hill (Lange’s ImmoitelL-n, an exquisit e morceau, most sympathetically rendered), and M. Sellars (Woollenhaupt’s grand caprice, a brilliant number, played with elastic touch, delicacy, and power, and, as an encore, a melodious fragment by Bendel). Vocal solos were given by Miss M. Sellars, Mascheroni’s “ Thou Art My Life,” set rather below the singer’s compass, but tastefully

sung ; Miss E. Tanner, “ The Link Divine” (Piccolomini), excellent quality of voice, good volume and production (encore declined) ; Mr Cousins, Molloy’s “ Carnival,” and, as an encore, “ Uncle Joe,” both delightfully given—Mr Cousins kindly filling the gap caused by the absence through illness of Miss Hilda Kissling; and Mr Charlie Kissling, his favorite, “ The Young Brigade” (by Jude). One of the strongest points in Mr Connell’s pupils is their part singing, which is marked by precision, perfect tune, and exquisite light and shade. Bishop’s lovely old glee, “ Where Art Thou, Beau of Light,” “ The Canadian Boat Song,” “The Blue Bells of Scotland,” “Christmas Belle,” “Sweet and Low,” “ O I My Love,” “The Cuckoo,” “ Tom, the Piper’s Son/’ and “ Farewell,” were admirably given by the full class. The ladies alone sang Abt’s “ Parting Beam” and “ Hunting Song” (by Kinross) ; the men’s class won an encore for Este’s “ The Soldiers,” and with commendable gallantry sang “ The Ladies'.” Altogether Mr Connell and his pupils must be warmly congratulated on achieving so genuine a success.

Leoncavallo, the composer of “ I Pagliocci,” is turning “Trilby” into an opera, and writing his own libretto.

The Auckland, Banjo, Guitar, and Mandolin Club. —Ihe second quarterly grand concert of this club for season 1897-98 is announced to take place at the Opera House on Tuesday, December 14th, and there is no doubt that the management do not intend on this occasion to lose their reputations for providing excellent programmes. In addition to the sparkling music to be rendered by the club itself (under the able conductorship of Mr Arthur Towsey), quintettes and quartettes from “Il Trovatore” and “The Bohemian Girl” have been arranged especially for this concert by Mr E. J. Burke. The solos will be placed by Mr George Rowe (mandolin) and Mr Cyril Towsey (piano). The Misses Florence and Mabel Maxwell will sing a duet, the latter also contributing a song. Items will also be contributed by Messrs Percy Dufaur and Ernest Schatz. Mr Alf. Bartley is vocal accompanist. The box plan is now open at Messrs Wildman and Lyell’s. Visitors during the holidays should not for get to pay a visit to Mr Neilson’s Phonograph and Project©-cope in Queen Street, opposite Milne and Choj ce’s. On Friday evening “Orpheus” listened to a number of Phonographic selections through the tubes, and came away convinced that Mr Neilson’s is the very best Phonograph hitherto exhibited in Auckland. t

Says an evening paper—“ Really the Stagejis getting as generous as Young Literature in the matter-.of its confidences. Madame-Bernhardt, we learn, takes a bath of tea; Ada Rehan likes a bath of scented water; Miss Terry uses perfumed bran bags in her bath; while Miss Violet Vanbrugh puts her faith in orris root. We should 1 suggest a little essence of reticence, too, as a good all-round mixture.”

The St. John-Hayman Company have just concluded a successful season at Blenheim. Business on the tour has been brisk, and the intention is to play return-trip seasons on the West Coast. Miss Madge Corcoran, having accepted an eight months’ engagement with Mr Lohr to play with Mr Thornton, was to leave for Sydney on the Ist December. “ Charlie’s Aunt” opens at the Criterion on Boxing Night, and the company will extend their tour through New Zealand, a bit of news which will be welcome to Maoriland playgoers.

Mr Wybert Reeve, with his Kinematograph —the cry is still they come—has made a hit in Christchurch. The entertainment is highly praised, and the singing of Miss Hope Nation wins great' favor. The company will reach Auckland about a couple of months hence.

What a lusty old age is Signor Verdi’s I Although 85 jeais of age on the 13th of October last, he recently asked Madame Stoltz to sing with him the love duet from “ Othello” at a private party, given by Signor Ricordi. The duet went splendidly and astonished everyone pres nt,. . - ■ On Monday evening next, at the Choral Hall, Miss Harding’s pupils annual concert will be held. An attractive programme, including items by well known musical friends, has been carefully rehearsed, and Miss Harding’s numerous and welltrained orchestra will assist.