CHORAL HALL

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 273, 19 November 1887, Page 5

CHORAL HALL

MRS L. F. DAVIES, SOPRANO

VOCALIST.

Some 60 or 70 ladies and gentlemen, conspicuous for their devotion to musical art, assembled in the Choral Hall last night, for the purpose of hearing Mrs L. P. Davies, a soprano vocalist, of high credentials, whose arrival from England we announced, last week. The lady was a perfect stranger to her audience, and the audience, as may readily be supposed, was critical. Mrs Davies lost no time, however, in displaying to unquestionable advantage her vocal accomplishments, and the programme was so arranged as to place her on such a crucial trial at the very outset that any defects of style or capacity must have become immediately apparent. Five separate morceaux were set down for execution, and these were gone through with very slight intervening pause, so that the whole affair was over by 9 o'clock. The first and most pretensious item of all was the scena from Gounod's "Faust," opening with the canzone, "There was a King of Thule," and comprising the celebrated " Jewel Song." It served to exhibit very strikingly the power, compass, and flexibility of the lady's voice, and also to "completely demonstrate her command over the resources of technique. In the plaintive and simple little canzone, her artistic taste was manifested by the ability with which she brought into relief the subtle and delicate nuances of expression which so exquisitely enhance the effect of the piece. In the " Jewel Song " the full compass of the lady's voice was displayed and the.ornate character of the music was well adapted for testing its flexibility. It is a cultured soprano voice of extensive compass, of power sufficient to fill a hall twice as large as any in Auckland, and of nice quality. The upper register is singularly fine and clear, and the mezzo-voce is of great volume. The style of singing has been acquired and perfected in the best schools, and the lady has apparently had experience on the operatic stage. Her sudden and frequent transitions from fortissimo to pianissimo, all effected with the utmost confidence and precision, indicated how thorough is her knowledge and mastery of her vocal capabilities, and the accuracy of her intonation was as remarkable as her power of modulation. In aword, Mrs Davies showed that she i& second to no professional cantatrice who has visited Auckland within the past decade. The second contribution was a "Serenade" by Wekerlin, which afforded further display to the middle and lower register of the voice, and also exhibited how facile and artistic is her portamento. In Dr. Arne's " Where the Bee Sucks," Mrs Davies gave proof of her talent for rapid vocalisation and fiorxtnre, and the softness and clearness of her voice in sustained pianisstno notes were also noticeable. Arditi's brilliant valse sonjj " L'Estasi" (" Ecptaoy ") was another display piece, bringing out the singer's style of execution in such a manner as to compel the listener's admiration. It was one of the most enjoyable contributions of the evening. 'Ihe closing item was the Scotoh song " Robin Adair," and it was rendered with such exquisite taste that the audience promptly enforced a repetition of it. During the singing of the second song just a smipcon of huskiness betrayed itself in two or three occasional notes, but it soon disappeared and did not recur. It only remains for us to say that Mrs Davies has completely established her reputation as a professional vocalist of very great talent, and after hearing her execution no one can doubt that she should be a most successful instructress of pu pile in singing. She is fully' competent to give that finish which is the unmistakable sign and surety of proficiency in the vocal art.

We are glad to learn that Mrs Davies has resolved upon remaining in Auckland for a few months, and will give lessons to advanced pupils. Her labours will beyond doubt have the effect of raising the standard of musical culture in Auckland. Mrs Davies will give a public concert on the 9th of December next.