Shanghai and its music were the subject' of a brief but pointed interview given a representauve of tne "North-China Herald" on Saturday ey Mme, Xenee Fiorigny just before She embarked for Hongkong on the s. Andre Lebon, Mme. Florigny, Whose brilliant technique was hauled im America a few years ago, has been termed the "female Paderweski" because of her powerful interpretive faculties, She appeared here at the Cercle Sportif Frangais under the patronage of the French Consul-[General, and before other audiences. But forthe prevailing customs of the Municipal Orchestra, she would have appeared with it, she stated.
"It is too bad for Shanghai that there is n0 opportunity for artists fo be sure of financial success they play with the—Municipal Orchestra", she said, in explaining her failure to appear as a soloist on programme. "You see, like others, artists must live. If T stayed, T should lose my boat, and so, 3 percentage of my ticket. The p|Orchestra offers 10 per cent, of receipts above $500 to the soloist.
sounds very well unt one learns that with a full house, the receipts Jeannot be much more' than $700 at resent. What is that, then for th Jartist—$140 or $150 if there is a packed house, if not, then there is hothing. That is" why Shanghai's Municipal Orchestra does not attract [great soloists, unless they are touring for pleasure and wish to play either (or charity to the public, or to feequire a little fame in Shanghai. INo artist who has already made a name can be interested in coming here for a guarantee of nothing."
Those artists who do arrive and who meet with success, seldom come Under" orchestral" patrona Plorigny revealed, adding, not the fault of the Maestro....ah, is the fault of those who know so' little of music and musicians that Prevail in the third largest in the world. If you have of a great cultural centre here, It because the public does not awaken to the opportunities it has im its Orchestra, for with more planning, your city could be a for the world's greatest *China?—yes, I love it, and I have been delighted to discover the Chinese especially alert to music and musical values. They are a credit lo their cultural background, for they fare keen and vivacious and. intel" ligent. I am only sorry that who-fever makes the business not contrive some way to make draw great names to Shanghai."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.