(From Birmingham)
The BIRMINGHAM
STUDIO ORCHESTRA
Conducted by FRANK CANTELL
Overture, 'Son and Stranger'
Mendelssohn
This is the Overture to a little one-act
Ciuitata or song-play of which the original German name really means ' Tho Return from Abroad.' The Overture is now the only part of it which is at all well known, but it bids fair to remnin a perennial favourite. It is laid out for quite a small orchestra, wood-winds, horns, trumpets, and strings, there being neither trombones nor drums employed.
MOZART'S 'Figaro' is the same charming rascal is Rossini's ' Barber of 'Seville,' and in Germany they have a little jest on the subject, telling that Figaro must have been a most ungrateful fellow because, although Rossini wrote a delightful opera in his honour, he must needs order the music for his wedding from the rival firm of Mozart. The real name of the Opera is Figaro's Wedding ; in this country alone it is referred to as The Marriage of Figaro, not quite the same thing, as Figaro no doubt discovered for himself in the fullness of time.
Mozart's opera was one of the most immediately successful of all his works, both on its original appearance in Vienna and afterwards in Prague. Mozart wrote after this latter production to a friend, ' The one subject of conversation here is Figaro ; nothing is played, sung or whistled but Figaro.'
The Overture begins with a bustling theme played very softly in unison by the strings and bassoon. It is followed quickly by a dainty tune in which the oboe and fluto alternate, reinforced immediately afterwards by the whole orchestra. Abrupt contrasts of loud and soft tone lend the Overture much of its sense of lighthearted, almost irresponsible, gaiety. But the whole piece Is throughout so full of irresistible melody that one can easily believe Mozart's delighted report from Prague.