(From Birmingham)
PATTISON'S SALON ORCHESTRA Directed by NORRIS STANLEY
Relayed from the Cafe Restaurant,
Corporation Street
ONE of the most popular of Offenbach's many light operas, this one takes the most shameless liberties with the dignity of the old Olympic deities, and with the pathetic tale of Orpheus and his descent to the Underworld in search of his lost bride. The story is, of course, the same as that of Gluck's Orfeo and many other operas on the classic theme, but here it is treated in a mood of broadest comedy, bordering even on farce. In Offenbach's day. as only older listeners will now remember, burlesque was a favourite form of humour, and no subject was too sacred to be made fun of. But even those who are too young to remember the vogue of such light-hearted works have heard selections and separate airs from this as from other operas of Offenbach's, and the Overture, full of gay and sparkling melody, is bound to seem familiar.
SARASATE was an outstanding figure in the concert world of the last generation. A Spaniard by birth, he was known all over the world as a brilliant executant on whom many honours and distinctions were conferred. Many of his showy solo pieces and arrangements of gipsy airs are still popular with violinists, and this brilliant dance has always been a favourite.