ALICE LILLEY (Soprano)
THE VVIRELESS ORCHESTRA
Conducted by JOHN ANSELL
THE Overture to a Comedy was not written
for a stage work. It is a' Concert Overture,' full of the spirit of gaiety, with themes now lyrical, now capricious, that blend into a genial and spirited work.
VICTOR HERBERT , born in 1859, is a grandson of the Irishman, Samuel Lover , who wrote ' Handy Andy.' He was for some years a leading violoncello player. He has written nearly forty stage works, most of 'them light operas.
POLYEUCTE. an Opera based on Corneille's tragedy of the Roman centurion - martyr, was produced in Paris half a century ago, when its composer was sixty. It was one of his favourite works ; shortly before he died he said that even if his other operas, Faust included, were to perish, he wished that Polyeucte might live and succeed. His hope was never gratified, for Polyeucte has not kept in the repertory. The Ballet is amongst the best of its music.