MR. R. WATKIN MILLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 228, 23 September 1904, Page 3

MR. R. WATKIN MILLS.

THIKD CONCERT. The third of Mr R. Watkin Mills' song-recitals was given in His Majesty's Theatre last night in the presence of a large audience that gave fervent vent to its appreciation of his singing. The concert was more than equal to its predecessors in charm and variety of subject, and each of the three divisions of the programme —cla-ssical, semielassical and popular—was magnificently sung. Mr Mills opened with a thoroughly delightful reading of the air from Handel's "Semole" "'Where'er You Walk," and followed it with the '"Figaro" air "So, Sir Page" (Mozart), a brilliant number which showed his wonderful flexibility of voice and skilfulness of phrasing. The surpassing beauty of Sullivan's 'Thou'rt passing Hence" was exquisitely expressed by Mr Mills. The essential rhythm, so often broken by the average singer in the attempt to express the intense pathos of the song, was preserved. Prolonged applause elicited a repetition of "'The Pretty Creature"—introduced with an apology for the incongruity of subjects. The favourite Handel largo, "Slumber, Dear Maid," with its rich sustained melody, was splendidly sung. '"The Bandolero," written by Leslie Stuart for Signor Foley, was brilliantly sun g. and was i one of the finest achievements of the evening. Ati en-core was inevitable, and Mr Mills gave Nevin's love-song "The Rosary." This was followed by a rich rendering of Monk Gould's "Two Stars." with a sustained low D flat, and ftihe btfaicket closed yrith &Lacfarren J s arrangement of "Here's a Health to His Majesty," which was very popular. Responding to the demonstration, Mr Mills sang that exquisite ballad, "The Sweetest Flower that Blows" delightfully. Lady Barrett Leonard's version of '"Plymouth Hoe" was again well sung, and "Richard of Taunton Dene," the old Somersetshire dialect song (Barrett's arrangement) was followed by a furore of applause. The German rxinklied "In Cellar Cool" was enthusiastically applauded. The enthustosm of the audience found a enmax in the applause that followed Mr Mills' magnificent rendering of Sullivan's "Lost Chord." It was evident that the audience had waited eagerly for this most popular ■ song, and they were not disappointed. The richness of Mr Mills' voice gave the notes an organ-like quality, and swept the audience into a storm of approbation. To satisfy them Mr Mills sang "When Does Dull Care Attack," and thus concluded a memorable recital. Mons. Eduard Parlovitz seemed in a specially happy mood, and his playing of Olsen's "Papillons" was especially In Weber's Sonata op. 24 tbe smoothness of his fingering in the long scale passages was well shown, and his interpretation of the fine composition was rewarded by an encore, his response being the Chopin Valse in D flat. His other numbers were a bracketted trio of Olsen's composition?—"i'anital," "Mazurka." and the aforesaid Tapillons," and Chopin's Scherzo in B. minor. All these were excellently played. The great singer paid M. Parlovitz a very pretty compliment early in tho evening. He had to announce that there would be no organ accompaniment (on account of the management's inability to get one attuned to the piano), and in doing so he said, "I am to have the accompaniment of M. Parlovitz on the piano—than which I can have no better!" This acknowledgment of the pianist's great accompanying was enthusiastically endorsed by the audience. This evening the season concludes with a concert made up largely with "request" numbers, including several oratorio arias. The Liedertaiel has arranged to sing two numbers in compliment to Mr Mills, and Mr Walter Whyte sings "Excelsior" with him. The final concert seems likely to be the best.