At the Gewandhaus.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 325, 16 July 1889, Page 4

At the Gewandhaus.

[Bx Sydney F. Hoden, formerly of Gisborne]. Mr Hoben, who is now a ‘musical student at Leipsic, writes from that place :— I have often seen the Gewandhaus crowded, but never before saw such a sight as at the performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. The passages, stairways, and every coign of vantage was occupied, and standing room was unobtainable in the dense throng that filled the great concert hall. The marvellous work was well performed, though the soprano seemed to find the sustained high notes rather exhausting in the last movement. Gades’ ‘‘Erl King’s Daughter” was also giver, Bchelper, Frau Baumann, and Frau Metzler Loury taking the solos. Both the vocal and orchestral scores were splendidly interpreted. The more I see of the Gewandhaus, the more its beauty grows upon me. I don’t think there can be a more beautiful concert hall in existence. With its sumptuous passages and vestibules, and its two beautiful concert salles upholstered in plush, under the glow of myriads of electric lights, the effect is enchanting. The Conser»atorium salle in which the abends and prufungs take place is also considered about the best of its kind. Beautiful surroundings add greatly to the enjoyment of any performance, and this is everywhere recognised in Europe. I suppose the (esthetic taste acquires some generations for development, with the acquisition of wealth and culture, and m time we in New Zealand will devote a little more attention to the merely ornamental and sensuous aspects of existence. Nature has been very kind to us, so far as our country is concerned, and our gratitude has taken the form of endeavoring to ring the last possible farthing out of her. Here tpme effort is made to preserve beauty pr enhance it, Trees are reverenced. Streets are planted, and woods within the confines of great centres of population are carefully preserved, and Serve as very necessary breathing places. There is a fine wood quite close to the Conaervatorium, in which one can for hours. In the colonies this wood would be valued ps so muph firewood, and left standing just at long as was necessary to have It cut up and no longer, ‘i here is an air of substantiality ab<*'ut the houses P too. Everyone puilfis fpt pa«"^ er ity, and the dwellings erecte d loot B 8 though they .a be°standing, bar accident, when Gabriel performs his horn solo. They are profusely decorated, as the owners' taste suggests, with a variety of ornament—in some cases quaint designs not unlike crochet work in color, are painted upon them, and niches in the walls are filled with statuary. There are many homely customs observed in the building of these houses. Opposite my window one has been in course of erec: ion for a long time past, and I have watched it rising skyward from its foundation until I have come to take quite an Interest in all that pertains to it. To-day the roof has been put on, and in accordance with usage the structure has been gaily decorated with flags and greenery i honor of the event, and the workmen who have been engaged upon it are enjoying a dance, with free beer provided by the owners. There is one custom in connection with Leipsic bouses that I think could be modified. The enterprising gentry who cleanse the chimneys draw the soot outwards, and in so doing generously distribute the grimy fertiliser amongst the casual wayfarers. No charge is made to the pedestrian for anything he may acquire ta this manner, but nevertheless the ungrateful colonial or American is prone to profanity on such occasions.

* The way in which John Stuart Mill proposed to the lady who events ully became his wife is said to have been as follows:— ‘ I wish I had your head, Mr Mill,’ remarked the lady, on an occasion when that gentleman had solved for her a knotty point. * And I wish I had your heart,’ replied Mr Mill. ‘Well,’ said the lady, ‘since your head and my heart agree so well, I am willing that we should go into partnership.’ And such was the result. ' Husband in ? ’ asked the gas rate collector, cheerfully. ‘ No,’ answered the woman,’ he ia’i’t at home.’ ‘Expecting him soon?' ftB ked the collector. ‘Well,’the woman replied thoughtfully, ‘ I don't know exactly; I've been lookin tor him er venteen years, and he hasn t turned up yet. You travel about a good d eal, and if you see a man who look g n s though he’d make a pretty good 'husband, tell him I’m still a waitin' e',id send him along. How’s your wif'j ?’