MUSIC NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1471, 4 July 1918, Page 27

MUSIC NOTES.

(By

“G” String.)

There is discord between the Melbourne Trades Hall authorities and the Victorian Musicians’ Union. So far as can be learned, the dispute centres round the question as to whether enemy aliens should be entitled to membership of the Musicians’ Union. Last year the union decided to expel all Germans and Austrians from its ranks, but the Trades Hall Council, it is understood, has not approved of the idea, and constant pressure has been brought to bear upon the musicians’ organisation to have the resolution rescinded. The unionr has stoutly resisted, and only recently

affirmed its determination to exclude all musicians of enemy birth. The dispute between the Trades Hall and the union is said to have reached an acute stage, each side being equally determined to maintain its stand.

Mdlle. Antonia Dolores, the gifted French vocalist who shortly tours the Dominion, is at present touring New South Wales under the happiest conditions. Ideal weather and the immense popularity of the famous French soprano have characterised her recitals by a big demand for the better class of seats. Before coming to New Zealand, Mdlle. Dolores proposes a brief return season in Sydney with a set of new programmes, which is a sure draw. This from Melbourne “Punch”: — “High up in the honour roll of Australians who have contributed to the melody of the world stands the name of Phillip Newbury, who has fostered the talent of many a one whose won-der-voice now proclaims its sweetness in other parts of the world. With Mr. Newbury’s return to this city to sing for a special season under the Fuller direction at the Bijou this week, and in association with the gifted Miss Amy Murphy, it is meet to recall some of those artists who owe so much to the guiding hand of the gifted tenor. Eva Mylott, the contralto, now in America, sang first at Mr. Newbury’s concerts; Beatrice Miranda, prima dofma with the Carl Rosa Grand Opera Company, made her debut at his Melbourne concerts; violinists Lionel Lawson and Cyril Monk first wielded their deft bows under his direction; Elsa Fischer (now Elsa Stralia) sang more than forty times under Mr. Newbury’s managements; and her father was the tenor’s advance agent. Rosina Buckmann, prima donna with Beecham in ‘Tristran and Isolde,’ ‘Otello,’ and ‘Aida,’ sang with him; so did Nora Long (now Nora D’Argel, prima donna of the Royal Italian Opera Company); and Maud Dalrymple, the contralto, who toured with Dani; and so did Amy Castles, the Bendigo songbird. It is a notable list, and if all those artists could be gathered together now on the same programme then, as Mr. Newbury says, ‘there would be something to enthuse over.’ ” It seems strange, but all New Zealanders who “make good” in the musical or theatrical profession are called by the. Commonwealth press as Australians. If I know anything Mr. Philip Newbury is a native of Dunedin, and in my young days I played many a game of football with him.