(From Birmingham)

Pauline and Diana (Instrumental Duets)

HILDA SEARLE (Soprano)
RICHARD FORD (Baritone)

(From Birmingham)
Items by AUNTIE RUBY, UNCLE LAURIE and HORACE of Nottingham
'Dug from the Earth — Mercury,' by 0. Bolton
King
Songs by NORA DESMOND (Soprano)

(From Birmingham)
The Birmingham Studio Orchestra
Conducted by Frank Cantell

On its first production, Bizet's opera, The Pearl Fishers, had no success. That was in 1863 in Paris, and not until 1886 was it revived. Then it did win something of the success it deserves; in London in the following year, under the name Leila, it was also popular. Two years later it was again given in London, in Italian.
Its music is melodious and pleasing, with many of the fine qualities which have made Carmen so universally popular. Had the opera been founded on a better story, it might have been a real rival to Carmen in popularity. The tale however, is not one which can be followed as it unfolds itself on the stage ; it depends on a whole set of involved circumstances which the audience must know apart from the action which takes place on the stage. In a word, it is dramatically impossible, so that the fine music of which it is full would be almost lost to the world were it not for selections and fantasies for concert performance. Its music has attracted such great artists as Caruso and Tetrazzini, who delighted in its opportunities for fine singing.

Opera in Three Acts by SAINT-SAËNS
English Version by EUGÈNE OUDIN
Chorus of Hebrews and Philistines
The WIRELESS Chorus
Chorus-master, STANFORD ROBINSON
THE WIRELESS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
(Leader, S. KNEALE KELLEY )
Conducted by PERCY PITT
(An article on the opera appears on page 540 of this issue)

(Continued)