MUSIC NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1454, 7 March 1918, Page 34

MUSIC NOTES.

(By

“G” String.)

Mr. H. Temple White has been appointed musical director of the newly-formed Musical Society in connection with the Wellington Commercial Travellers’ Club. There is some fine talent amongst the commercials, and the new society ought to give a big lift up to music in Wellington. It is understood that Mr. Herbert Bloy has definitely decided not to accept the position of conductor of the Wellington Professional Orchestra for the ensuing year.

Information comes from London to the effect that Lady Tree has offered Signor Antonio Scotti, the celebrated grand opera singer, the title role in Leo Ditrichstein’s satiric comedy, “The Great Lover,” which was presented in New York two seasons ago and which is shortly to be produced in London. The late Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree secured the English rights of the play shortly after its production in New York, and intend ed to appear in it this autumn. His death left the rights of the comedy in the hands of his heirs, and the report states that Lady Tree considers Signor Scotti the ideal choice for the leading role. Scotti and Car-

uso were frequent visitors to “The Great Lover” during its New York run, and they applauded heartily the gentle irony directed at the characteristics of opera singers. The following are some of the musical plays that were being produced in New York at the end of December: “Doing Our Bit,” at the Winter Garden; Oh, Boy,” at the Casino, “Flo, Flo,” at the Corts, “The Riviera Girls,” at the New Amsterdam; “Over the Top,” at the Forty-

fourth Street Roof Theatre; “Her Regiment,” at the Knickerbocker; “Maytime,” at the Schubert; “The Grass Widow,” at the Liberty; “Leave it to Jane.” at the Longacre; “Miss 1917,” at the Century; "Jack o’ Lantern,” at the Globe; “Odds and Ends of 1917,” at the Bijou, and “The Land of Joy,” at the Park. It is almost certain that several of the above will be produced in Australia and New Zealand by the J. C. Williamson and J. and N. Tait firms.