[
    {
        "id": 211776,
        "series_id": 26,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-rashkb-journal-engine",
        "series_title": "RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "RAS-1989",
        "page_number": 191,
        "title": "RAS-1989",
        "content_text": "166\n\nin their own language. On April 18 1864 the first evening took place at which “the arrangement of the costumes and acting were all good and amply repaid a visit, even by those who may not understand the Portuguese language”. Two more performances are recorded of this company (October 15 and December 22 1864).\n\nWith respect to the financial side of the societies' activities not too much can be said with certainty. Expenditure included the rent of a godown to be fitted up as a theatre, scenery, etc. (see below: V. The Theatres). Evidently, entrance fees covered part of these expenses, the members themselves probably paid an annual amount, and furthermore there are some indications that at least a number of performances were for subscribers. Thus, speaking about an amateur evening on February 13 1863, the Herald added that a repeat would take place on the 17th at \"which the public that is non-subscribers will be admitted\". Earlier, in 1859, in a letter to the Editor, a \"Member of the A.D.C.\" complained about the liberties taken by some residents with the subscription circulars: “A wag has amused himself (and himself only) by converting quite a large number of 5 tael subscriptions into 15 and has thereby caused not only great confusion, but some unpleasantness”.36\n\n―\n\n―\n\n3\n\nSuch confusion could easily be tolerated in the all too numerous farces that were put up on the stage, but when it came to realities it was clearly considered to be just as well as to put them down...\n\nGarrison theatricals\n\nFrom time to time the season was enlivened by non-resident amateurs, Naval vessels of several nations that called at the port of Shanghai were sometimes the scene of an unusual crowding of merchants and marines when performances were given on board ship. Thus on October 8 1857 the \"Union Theatrical Company of the U.S.S. San Jacinto\" delighted the public with three farces.37 A year later, September 28 1858, the crew of H.M.S. Retribution entertained a large portion of the foreign community: The quarterdeck was converted into a rotunda tastefully decorated with national and other flags raised nearly to the height of the mizzentop forming a spacious and airy salon. The stage, raised to a convenient height for the audience, was adorned with a well-executed proscenium, the orchestra being in front, all en règles\".38 The piece selected was even of a higher quality than the usual fare, viz. Sheridan's",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/dfo323lmgvd/RAS-1989.txt",
        "external_url": "https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 211817,
        "series_id": 26,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-rashkb-journal-engine",
        "series_title": "RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "RAS-1989",
        "page_number": 232,
        "title": "RAS-1989",
        "content_text": "207\n\nplays; the wood scene we thought very effective and true to nature\". This is one of the few times that at least some slight attention is paid to the staging of a piece. (NCH 8.5.1858).\n\n28.9.1858 (Tue)\n\nR.B. SHERIDAN: \"The Rivals” (1775)\n\nT: Comedy (prologue, 5 acts, epilogue), and two other, unnamed, light pieces\n\nC: Officers of H.M.S. Retribution\n\nTh: On board ship\n\nR: This must have been a long night for in addition to Sheridan's The Rivals (a full-length five-act comedy in which Mrs. Malaprop was played by \"Mrs. Taylor\") there were two other light pieces of which the titles have not been recorded. Small wonder then that \"our reporter did not wait to see as the hour was late and he had to rise early to see the comet\" — which had first been observed on September 15. (NCH 2.10.1858)\n\n2.10.1858 (Sat) and\n\n6.10.1858 (Wedn)\n\nConcerts by Mr. Martin Simonsen, violin, and some local amateurs.\n\nProgramme:\n\nCharles Auguste DE BERIOT (1802-1870): Seventh air with variations, Martin SIMONSEN: \"Sounds from Home\", Heinrich Wilhelm ERNST (1814-1865): **Andante” (= Elegie?), N. PAGANINI: \"Carnival of Venice\", Some German songs.\n\nTh: Theatre Royal (C)\n\nR: That the scarce recitals by professional musicians did not draw the same public attention as the amateur actors has already been pointed out in the Survey. On October 2 the attendance was not large, but for the sixth \"a considerable improvement\" was observed and it was hoped there would be a full house on the 12th so that the artist would not be left **with cause to regret his visit to this remote place”. The critic, \"'T.\", gave himself an air of the specialist when he wrote that \"though we do not find any attempt at the dignity and breadth of style which are the characteristics of the greatest performers of the age, we are glad to recognise an execution at once brilliant and lively and in some respects really astonishing\"; and he regarded Mr. SIMONSEN as \"a worthy member of that particular school of which De Bériot was one of the brightest ornaments (De Bériot was a famous violinist who had been forced by illness to end his career in 1852). It must be assumed that the writer had heard other musicians in Europe — where else? — with whom he could draw a comparison. These were the days without radio, gramophone or compact disc! He was apparently a lover of more serious music, for he added wrily: \"We presume it is necessary occasionally to introduce pieces of a light and striking character, but for our own part we deprecate the production of such solos as 'Life on the ocean' **. As to those who assisted Mr. SIMONSEN \"T.\" found it **creditable to this small Settlement that it can produce so able and numerous a body of amateurs who evidently study music for its own sake. We venture to ask them to persevere — it is a science which will amply reward its followers, which will repay a thousandfold its earnest students\". (NCH 9.10.1858). In well-to-do circles in Britain a musical education was considered a mark of good breeding and probably a number of residents had acquired their instrumental skill in youth. Others could profit from the piano lessons that were advertised in December 1858: they were given \"at moderate charges\" and persons interested should apply to \"D.D. at Mr. W.H. Moore's, Hongkew\". Why all would-be artists in Shanghai were so mysterious about their true names remains an enigma. The initials D.D. do not suit any of the residents in the *Shanghai Almanac for 1858'. W.H. Moore is listed in it as a pilot.\n\nT",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/dfo323lmgvd/RAS-1989.txt",
        "external_url": "https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/8336pm92h",
        "rank": 0
    }
]