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OR, COLONISTS—PAST AND PRESENT.
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the grandest operas that have been represented in Australia, viz.—"William Tell," "Emani," and others. About the year 1869 he arrived in Adelaide, and obtained the directorship of the Theatre Royal, and in this he remained until his death, which occurred in December 1883. We have had many musical celebrities here, but the familiar and sweet tones of John Hall's violin gained for him with the public of that day the right to rank as first of all his contemporaries.


George Hubert Hall,

BROTHER of the above, was born in Sydney, in November 1860. On completing his education, he, at the age of fifteen, took his first lessons on the violin from!Mr. John Gibbs. He next was a pupil of Mr. W. Rice, and later on of Charles Packer. Under the able tuition of the latter, with whom he remained three years, he became proficient in piano and theory; so much so, that he was considered by his instructor one of his most advanced pupils. He was next associated with the eminent violinist, Herr Joseph Kretchman, and became a prominent member of that gentleman's quartette. Being offered an engagement with Lyster's Opera Company to come to Adelaide, Mr. Hall accepted it, and arrived here in 1880, remaining about eight months, when he returned to Sydney. He was there connected with -the Montague- Turner Opera Company as leader for two years, when, in consequence of his brother's illness and subsequent death, he was sent for to take his place as director of the Theatre Royal Orchestra, Adelaide. He has held that position ever since; with what success we leave the theatregoing public to determine, though it is an undoubted fact that the dramatic orchestra he conducts is one of the best in the colonies. Mr. Hall is leader of the Adelaide String Quartette Club, and has for the last three seasons played