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Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925), Thursday 14 June 1917, page 30
FOR A RUSSIAN LIBRARY.
The Masonic Hall was crowded to the doors on 6th June for a Russian concert given under the patronage of Madame Melba in aid of funds for tho foundation of a Russian library in Melbourne.
The entertainment was organised by Mesdames T. Grebin and Ivanoff, with Mr. N. Leonard Kanevsky as hon. secretary. The programme was, of course, Russian in tone. Excerpts from the greatest Russian composers and others of lesser fame and unknown name, in the way of folk songs, were given by leading artists. Miss Ivy Phillips sang a bracket of "Asra" and "To the Forest," and was encored for her delightful rendering of both numbers. Miss Stella Wilson, who was most picturesquely robed in Russian costume, was encored for her folk songs, one of which was sung in tho Russian language. Miss Anne Williams was recalled for her fine rendering of an Aria from Tschaikowsky's "Eugene Onegin" (The Letted Scene), and presented with some beautiful flowers. Miss Mona M'Burney, who presided at the piano, composed some very fine music for "A Poem in Prose," composed by Turgenieff. The poem was recited with good effect by Madame Grebin.
Max Selinsky, though suffering from illness, and worried by the breaking of a string when he was well into "A Serenade" by Rachmanieff (Rachmaninoff), played delightfully, and was encored. Miss Jessie Masson played piano solos, and was encored, and very kindly played some of the accompaniments, as did also Miss Mona M'Burney and Miss Anne Williams. The Balalaika Orchestra, all picturesquely dressed in Russian costume, played selections of music mostly taken from Russian folk songs. Mrs. W. Green and Miss Florrie Green's pupils danced two Russian numbers with grace and rhythm, and were encored for each. In the Russian Ballet (Mazurka) Misses Margot Lester and Eileen Dorgan were the soloists, and in the Russian Dance Miss Nellie Maloney was the soloist. The ballets were danced by Misses Vivian Rowe, Jean Clack, Florrio Witcer, Irene Powell, Jean Edwards, Vera Foot, Maude Chetwynd Longdon, Hilda Phillips, and Roma Phillips.
One of the principal features on the programme was a living picture arranged by Miss Violet Teague, depicting in appropriate costumes the component divisions and dependencies of the great Eastern Empire. The tableau was characterised by movement without speech. Madame Leonard Kanevsky, who made a tall, handsome Russia, stood in the centre, robed in beautiful furs, and received the salutes of the different divisions and dependencies as they passed. They were represented as follows :—Great Russia was represented by Miss Stella Wilson, Little Russia by Mr. J. Maruschak, Siberia by Miss Winnie Nicoll, Finland by Miss Violet Bowes Kelly, Poland by Miss Leishman, Caucasus by Mr. N. Leonard-Kanevsky, Circassia bv Madame Grebin, Judaism by Miss Madge Kozminsky, and Madame Strumin as a Gipsy. They were all handsomely and appropriately dressed, and went through their different salutes and gestures in a most effective and graceful manner. The members of the Balaika Orchestra made a pretty foreground to the picturesque picture, and Miss Violet Teague and the subject of the pictures are to be congratulated on the magnificent result. The beautiful furs used in the robing of Russia and the furnishings were kindly lent by Messrs. T. Cooper and Co. of Collins street. A number of pretty and energetic girls, dressed as Russian peasants, sold sweets and programmes during the evening, and the Faulkner-Smith direction was hon. manager for the whole entertainment. The evening closed by singing the National Anthems.
FOR A RUSSIAN LIBRARY. (1917, June 14). Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925), p. 30. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130060215