MISS EILEEN ' O'MOORE'S CONCERT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 298, 23 December 1897, Page 2

MISS EILEEN ' O'MOORE'S CONCERT.

The first of a series of concerts in this colony by Miss Eileen O'Moore, the brilliant and popular young violinist, was given at the Opera House last eveuing. Since her last visit, some years back, Miss O'Moore has gained additional prestige in the musical centres on the Continent, and some of the highest distinctions which the famous German and Viennese musical institutions can boast have been conferred upon this gifted young lady. It was only natural, therefore, that her rentree last evening should draw a very large attendance. The applause which greeted her when she appeared on the platform was cordial and prolonged, while her playing throughout excited genuine enthusiasm. Though Miss O'Moore was set down on the programme for three solos, the audience persisted in encoring every number, the violinist responding on each occasion with charming good nature. Her first performance was in Wieniawski's exacting " Airs Russes," the variations upon which involved truly wonderful powers of facile execution. The concluding variation in harmonics was faultessly played, and the perfect intonation of the double-stopping was a noteworthy feature of the performance, which called forth hearty plaudits from all parts of the house. As an encore Miss O'Moore gave Hillier's "Lullaby," which was well received. Her superb technique was again displayed in her rendition of a concerto by Paganini, while the weird charm of the composition was fully realised. The applause was imperative, and as an encore a Spanish dance by Sarasate was added, in which the " springing-bow" passages and other bravura technicalities were brilliantly rendered. Of a very different character, but none the less successful, was Miss O'Moore's third number, an adagio by Spohr. Great breadth and purity of tone were here allied with faultless execution, and unstinted applause marked the appreciation of the audience. Bracketed with this number was Hubay's " Hungarian Dance," in which the young virtuoso's brilliant play brought forth a storm of applause. The audience would take no refusal though the violinist appeared again and again without her instrument, so Schumann's " Dreams " was given as a supplementary number. Mrs Reginald Coke, whose songs were Weber's " Cavatina," from " Freischutz," Gounod's "Aye Maria," and "Beauty's Eyes " (Tosti), displayed with fair success a soprano of good range and well under control. Her singing, however, was hardly marked by sufficient animation—a feature especially noticeable in the last number. The 'cello obligates which accompanied both the " Aye Maria" and "Beauty's Eyes" were admirably played by Mr Reginald Coke. The'cellist also displayed good command over his instrument in his two solos, a "Nocturne" by Da-vi-dofi", and a dainty " Gavotte " of Popper's, I both of which were artistically rendered. ! Miss Mabel Maxwell, a young singer of much promise, was happily suited in "Dream Fancies," by Mr Arthur Boulfc, which she sang with graceful expression, and was again successful in " The Calico Dress." Miss Beatrice Vartha as apianosolo j contributed a " Berceuse" by Chopin and Ketten's "Les Castagnettes," which were I characterised by a pleasing lightness of i touch and attention to rhythm. MrTracey I Hall sang " When Bright Eyes Glance," I " Bid me to Love," " Thy Seiitinal am I." The duet "I Would that My Love" I (Mendelssohn) was given with taste and ! expression by Miss Maxwell and MrTracey i Hall. Praise is also due to Miss Vartha i for her admirable pianoforte accompanii incuts.