THE GERMAN COURT SINGERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 19, 23 January 1896, Page 2

THE GERMAN COURT SINGERS.

Fraii Yon Vasiiel and Herr Schmalfeld gave a second concert in bhe Opera House laab nifj;ht before a fair audience in the upper uortion of tli6 building. As on tho occasion of their hist appearance, they were ably assisted by the Orchestral Union which contributed Auber'B "Cheval do Bronze," and Svenaen'a Rhapsodic Norvegienne as introductory pieces, besides accompanying Frau yon Vahsel in one of her songs. The playing of the orchestra was greatly appreciated by the audience, and the masterly rendering of Svonsou's music was one ot the mosb admired items of the whole evening. Herr Schmalfeld was Buffering from a relaxed throao, and though he endeavoured nob to disappoint those' present, it was wibh evidenb difficulty that ho performed his work. He managed to get through his duets wibh Frau yon Vahsel and eang alone the "Spring Song" from Wagner's " Walkure," bub was unable bo give Becker's " Flowery May " for which he was down on the second parb of bhe programme. In the duets his voice was hardly in strong onough form to rise to bhe exigencies of grand opera, and ib was to a greab extent lost amid the powerful high notes of Frau yon Vahsel. This lady gave greater proof of her talent than sho did on her firao appearance in Auckland. She has a fine firm Btrong voice of considerable range and she can strike the highosb note with marked effect, although ib is ab the sacrifice of expression as a rule. Her firsb choice of items was rather calculated to display her brilliant execution than the feeling she undoubtedly possesses. Bohm's " Oh, What Delight" abounds in passages that take ___ ebrong and woll - trained voice bo do them justice, and Gastaldon's " Musica Proibita," and the duet from "Cavalleria Rysticana" afford equal opportunity for vocal agility. In all these the lady sang with much fire and won groat applause. It is, however, in another class of song that she was most successful in the eetimabion of ber audience, who appeared to enjoy her pathetic rendering of " Long, Long Ago " better ! than anybhing else she did. The ballad was given as an encore. Ia the second part of bho evening Frau yon Vahsel sang v, grand aria from Marsehner's " Hans Heilin^" She waa accompanied by tbo full orchestra, and sang the difficnlb music in fine sbyle, showing great technical power and no little melodious expression. Later on, with Harr Schmalfeld, she eang tho vocal duets, *' Now arb Thou Mino Own " and " The Passage Birds' Farewell " (Hildach), and in conclusion "The Answer" (Bohm) and Sach's "Birthday Song," with which Bhe captivated her audience at the firsb concerb. Tbe charming dibty, charmingly sung, was as successful as ever, and before the audience would disperse for the evening they insisted on a reappearance of bhe talented singer. She came and graciously sang another song. The piano accompaniments of the evening were played by Mies Mcßurney, and the same lady gave as pianoforte solos Chopin's " Polonaise in A " and Litolf-'s " Bpinnlied." Her performances were of a finished character, and meb with applause.