OPERA HOUSE

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 228, 24 September 1894, Page 3

OPERA HOUSE

MISS BUCKLAND'S RECEPTION.

As was anticipated, the Opera House was crowded on Friday evening by a fashionable audience, eager to welcome back to this city Mise Buckland, after her three years' sojourn at the Royal Conservatoire of Music, Dresden. The concert was under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. j. Holland), who was preaonb with members of his family, besides many well • known prominent citizens, including the members of the Choral Society, Amateur Opera Club, Orchestral Union, tho Liedertafel, and the Savage Clab. Ib is therefore nob to be woudored ab that AHbs Buckland should have bean greeted with one of tho largeeb audiences ever assembled in the Opera House aba benefit performance. The beauty of the stage decorations was the subject of universal comment, and many were the encomiums pasted upon the artistic ability of Mr Theo. Queree. Four part songs were sung during the evening by the members of the Auckland Liadorbafel under the conductorsbip of Mr A. Towaey, the items being "Stars of the Summer Night," " When Evening's Twilighb," "Rest, Dearest, Rest" and "The Toast." All these numbers were sung in admirable style. A double siring quintette, composed of members of the Auckland Choral Society's orchestra, conducted by Herr Carl Schmitt, played two selections in a manner thub evidently delighted the audience. " Wiagenlied " (Latan) was the first item, the noxb being a gavotte by the same composer, in which the pizzicato movement was very effective. A galop do concert, by Kefiterer, was played brilliantly by Mrs Ernest 11. Queree, who displayed considerable ability as a pianist, and was desorvodly recalled at the conclusion of the selection. .

Amongst bho vocalists Mr John Fuller had the honour to secure the first encore of the evening. Ho sang "The Anchors Weighed " with his accustomed ability, and was, if anything, more successful in the oncore number "Oh, Summer Night," which was really suns; in a charnxing manuer. Mr Fuller, in company with Mr G. M. Roid, also took part in the duet, "The Moon Hath Raised Her Lamy> Above." Mr A. L. Edwards was in excellent voice and sang "The Holy City " in a manner which evoked well-merited applause. " The Monk " was well sung by Mr Howard Chambers, and Miss Warren was deservedly recalled for her song "Come to My Heart." Messrs A. H. Gee and Lloyd Breit were heard to advantage in the dueb "Two Jolly Tars." Mr Gee also sang "Across the Far Blue Hills, Marie," in a manner that called forth most enthusiastic applause. Three times Mr Gee returned to bow to the audience, but the demand for an encore was imperative, and ab length he sang "My Life For Thee " with equal ability. A word of praise is also due bo Mrs Gee for the manner in which she played the accompaniments to these two songs. The other accompanists were Mr A. Towsey and Mr Alfred Barbley. Naturally the advent of Miss Buckland herself was awaited with interest, aa ahe had been studying for the last three years at Dresden, under the guidance of Herr P, L. Frohberg for the violin, and Fraulein Olga Gasbeyer for voica-producbion. During her absence she also sbudiod the piano with Herr Rudolph Remmele, and theory of music under Herr Braunworth. Prior bo her departure for Germany MiBS Buckland's appearance on the stage was always welcome, and last night when she came oub to the footlights she was greeted with vociferous applause Miss Buckland's first contribution was a solo on the violin, Henry Vieuxtemp's " Ballade eb Polonaise." No doubb the fair violinist wished to show how much she had benefited by her studies, because this solo is nob only difficult to perform, but rather long for an audience. Added to this, Miss Buckland was apparently either nervous or excited at seeing so many friends assembled to welcome her, and she displayed some nervousness. It was evident that the performer's etyle bad greably improved, her bowing being very free and her fingering neat. Mies Buckland was recalled to receive a handsome bouquet. Later on Miss Buckland played a tnazourka by Alex Zarzcki with equal ability. The scene " Before My Eyes Behold Him," and the aria "Softly Sighg the Voice of Evening " were eung by Miss Buckland in a manner that charmed bbc audience. Her voice, tbough-not strong, is sweet, and well under control. An encore waß demanded, and Miss Buckland responded with Mattel's ballad " L'Abba," which was also well sung:. Taken as a whole this lady has reason to ba gratified at the welcome tendered by her friends in Auckland