MUSIC NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1553, 29 January 1920, Page 37

MUSIC NOTES.

(By

“G” String.)

Paderewski’s supreme skill in piano playing probably came as much from his being born a Pole as from his being born a musician. For the skill was largely a matter o! sheer hard work and self-discipline—of a savage energy which in another orbit might have guided half a dozen trusts. On the education of every finger was lavished as much pains as go to the instruction of the children of a goodsized township. Madame Ada Crossley announces her retirement from the concert platform. Unlike a good many world singers, she has no desire to give a series of farewell concerts, and has bidden the great general public a silent farewell. Never was a truer Australasian than Madame Crossley, and never a singer nearer to the people’s hearts. She was born in Victoria, and commenced her studies in 1892. In 1894 she went to London, and has since then appeared at every great festival of the Empire.

Miss Minnie Love is shining brightly in “Oddments,” the latest Melbourne Tivoli revue. Another particular favourite is Mr. C. H. Workman. • • • ■ The J. C. Williamson management report that a record season has been experienced with the Grand Opera Company, the takings in Wellington for the fifteen nights and one matinee exceeding those of any previous opera company, either comic or grand.

Mrs. Brough, with her husband (Mr. Cyril Bell), recently returned to Australia after a long stay in London. Mrs. Brough says “Chu Chin Chow” —in which, by the way, her sister, Miss Bessie Major, is appearing—may now be called an institution. To the people of ‘England it has become like the National Gallery and the British Museum, only much more popular. Nothing affects its phenomenal run. Mr. Oscar Asche and Miss Lily Brayton frequently .drop out of the cast for long holidays, and, indeed, it is not uncommon for all the principal parts to be filled by understudies, and still the theatre is packed. Mr. Bell intends going into business in Australia.