199
-- it may, however, improve on further acquaintance but we had no other opportunity of judging during the evening". The "Turkophonini” could be heard in a solo with variations and it was deemed "by far the most perfect and pleasing instrument of the two`. The Shanghai Redowa Waise (Redowa: a Bohemian dance) which had been "composed expressly for this Concert and dedicated to the Ladies of Shanghai — as the programme informed us", also performed on the Turkophonini was not thought of "very highly”, but it convinced the reporter that "the instrument is well adopted for that class of music". Obviously not everyone in the audience was of the same view, for the editor wrote in the Herald of September 27: "The critique of our reporter has been much discussed in fashionable circles and the correctness of his judgement as to the perfection of these new instruments questioned. Knowing his high attainments as a musician, we defer to his opinion. Matters of taste do not admit of dispute. De gustibus non est disputandum. We may all enjoy our own and as a second glass of wine enables us to pronounce better judgement as to its quality, so will this second performance (on September 29) by familiarizing us with the instruments enable us better to decide upon their excellence". In Hong Kong the China Mail could not speak "in very warm terms of praise at least as regards their suitability for solo performances" (CM 21.8.1856). On the other hand it admitted that "by men of cultivated taste M. Ali's talents are fully appreciated and it will be long ere those who have had the pleasure of listening to his performances will forget the sweet but powerful tones of the Turkophone or the duleet melody of the Grand Clarionet and Turkophonini" (CM 16.10.1856). Ali Ben Sou Alle was assisted by local amateurs who played a number of pieces including two Rossini overtures on the piano; and "very creditably" sung Mendelssohn's "The Fairest Flower".
The evening was attended by a "numerous audience, comprising the beauty and fashion of our Settlement'' (NCH 20.8.1856).
29.9.1856 (Mon)
A second concert by Ali Ben Sou Alle.
No review was published in the Herald, only an announcement (NCH 27.9.1856).
18.2.1857 (Wedn)
D. BOUCICAULT & C. MATHEWS: "Used Up" (1846)
T: Comedietta (2 acts)
J.M. MORTON: “Box and Cox" (1847)
T: Farce (1 act)
C: Amateurs
F: Prologue
Th: N.N. (C)
―
R: The season opened both under the new management of "Peter PROTEUS" (again: a stage name, Proteus being an old Greek who could assume different shapes, as some actors are able to; also a character from Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona') and with a new theatrical reviewer in the Herald: "The Man on the Bund" (for the current season only). And although some months later he was heavily criticized because of some strictures he made about the choice of plays, in general his articles in a highly personal style were a mere continuation of the "nothing but praise" attitude that so prevailed. Thus Used Up was "rendered with unquestionable ability by Mr. Peter Proteus, the manager" who himself played Sir Charles Coldstream; and Mr. CLAY gave the part of the forlorn, but blunt and honest blacksmith Ironbrace with much skill and effect". Making her debut Mrs. NESBIT impersonated Lady Clutterbuck: "One would not have thought that so much deceit could lurk under so smooth and charming a face". She brought to this part "not only much cleverness and knowledge of the feminine heart but a very imposing person and decided good looks; and one could not help thinking the baronet might have stumbled upon a less pretty face in his
199
-- it may, however, improve on further acquaintance but we had no other opportunity of judging during the evening". The "Turkophonini” could be heard in a solo with variations and it was deemed "by far the most perfect and pleasing instrument of the two`. The Shanghai Redowa Waise (Redowa: a Bohemian dance) which had been "compassed expressly for this Concert and dedicated to the Ladies of Shanghai — as the programme informed us", also performed on the Turkophonini was not thought of "very highly”, but it convinced the reporter that "the instrument is well adopted for that class of music". Obviously not everyone in the audience was of the same view, for the editor wrote in the Herald of September 27: "The critique of our reporter has been much discussed in fashionable circles and the correctness of his judgement as to the perfection of these new instruments questioned. Knowing his high attainments as a musician, we defer to his opinion. Matters of taste do not admit of dispute. De gustibus non est disputandem. We may all enjoy our own and as a second glass of wine enables us to pronounce better judgement as to its quality, so will this second performance (on September 29) by familiarizing us with the instruments enable us better to decide upon their excellence". In Hong Kong the China Mail could not speak "in very warni terms of praise at least as regards their suitability for solo performances" (CM 21.8.1856). On the other hand it admitted that "by men of cultivated taste M. Ali's talents are fully appreciated and it will be long ere those who have had the pleasure of listening to his performances will forget the sweet but powerful tones of the Turkophone or the duleet melody of the Grand Clarionet and Turkophonini" (CM 16.10.1856). Ali Ben Sou Alle was assisted by local amateurs who, played a number of pieces including two Rossini overtures on the piano; and "very creditably" sung Mendelssohn's "The Fairest Flower".
The evening was attended by a "numerous audience, comprising the beauty and fashion of our Settlement'' (NCH 20.8.1856).
29.9.1856 (Mon)
A second concert by Ali Ben Sou Alle.
No review was published in the Herald, only an announcement (NCH 27.9.1856).
18.2.1857 (Wedn)
D. BOUCICAULT & C. MATHEWS: "Used Up" (1846)
T: Comedietta (2 acts)
J.M. MORTON: “Box and Cox" (1847)
T: Farce (1 act)
C: Amateurs
F: Prologue
Th: N.N, (C)
―
R: The season opened both under the new management of "Peter PROTEUS** (again: a stage name, Proteus being an old Greek who could assume different shapes, as some actors are able to; also a character from Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona*') and with a new theatrical reviewer in the Herald: "The Man on the Bund" (for the current season only). And although some months later he was heavily criticized because of some strictures he made about the choice of plays, in general his articles in a highly personal style were a mere continuation of the "nothing but praise" attitude that so prevailed. Thus Used Up was "rendered with unquestionable ability by Mr. Peter Proteus, the manager" who himself played Sir Charles Coldstream; and Mr. CLAY **gave the part of the forlorn, but blunt and honest blacksmith Ironbrace with much skill and effect". Making her debut Mrs. NESBIT impersonated Lady Clutterbuck: "One would not have thought that so much deceit could lurk under so smooth and charming a face". She brought to this part "not only much cleverness and knowledge of the feminine heart but a very imposing person and decided good looks; and one could not help thinking the baronet might have stumbled upon a less pretty face in his
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