FEBRUARY 1930
FROM THE STRAD VOL.40 NO.478
PARIS. If recitals are few, the cinemas provide much employment for those who perform on stringed instruments. Managers of the Grands Boulevards establishments pride themselves on their musical programmes. “Figaro” recently was given at this establishment, the foundations of the extremely interesting and well-produced film being taken from the plots of “Il Barbiere” and “Le Nozze di Figaro,” while airs from both operas are skilfully woven into the orchestral accompaniment. Had these been accorded the tempi intended by Rossini and Mozart, respectively, they would have afforded far greater satisfaction. “Dove sono,” for example, is marked “andante”; the ignorant conductor evidently considered “largo di molto” appropriate. But the French never understand any music outside their own; nor are they ever likely to do so.