THE WIRELESS ORCHESTRA (Leader.
S. KNEALE KELLEY ). Conducted by STANFORD ROBINSON . MAY BLYTH (Soprano). PARRY JONES (Tenor).
THE opening scene of Sadko is laid in the port of Novgorod where the assembly of merchants from many countries-Italy, India, Norway, and other lands, allows the Composer to introduce a great deal of ' 'local colour' as these people extol the beauties of their native countries. A Hindu merchant sings this placid, dreamy song.
WITH the Cantata The Prodigal Son, De
" bussy, at twenty-two, won the 'Prix de Rome.' In this song Lia, mother of the prodigal Azael, passionately laments his absence.
THE WIRELESS CHORUS with Orchestra
THE story of the pleasure-loving
Manon Lescaut and her lovers was written in 1763 by the Abbe Prevost. It was taken as the basis of an Opera by various composers—Halevy, Auber, Massenet, Puccini, and our own Balfe. Massenet's and Puccini's proved by far the most popular versions of the story. The music of Massenet's Opera, which was produced in 1884, is by turns charming and passionate.
Near the end of Act II, Manon's lover, des
Grieux, sings of a dream in which he saw Manon in her cottage in a wood-a lovely maid, surrounded by all Nature's loveliness. Then the beautiful vision altered, and Manon was no longer there. The dream is prophetic, for, though he does not know it, in a few moments he and Manon are to be parted.
When des Grieux sings the second air we are to hear, Manon has gone to another lover, and des Grieux has determined to enter the priesthood. He renounces .the sweet joys of the past, and would dedicate himself to the religious life.