A GIFTED CONTRALTO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 115, 15 May 1906, Page 3

A GIFTED CONTRALTO.

VISIT OP TE EAXGI PAI.

Six years ago Princess Te Bangi Pax, better known here as Mrs.. Howiev charmed Auckland audiences-by- the dramatic merit of her splendid contralto voice. The interval she has spent in Britain, perfecting herself in her art, and meantime making so great a. name for herself that she is compared, with, those queens of the concert platform, Clara Butt and Ada Crossley. Private business demanding her return to* New Zealand, she is giving a series of song recitals through the colony prior to returning to Tvngland by way of Australia and America. During the course of an interview with a representative of the "Star"' to-day Mrs. Howie had much. that was interesting to say.

"I -went Home." she said. "to study under Charles Santley, and "with. Tns tuition I had that of Dr. Sibley (for oratorio) and Mr. Wm. Carter, one of England's most famous masters, in ballad work. I studied as opportunity permitted between by public appearances, and ' had a very hard time of it. Indeed, had I known what it meant I don't believe I would have gone Home at all; but once there I was determined to go through with it. and I did. The work has its compensations, too, ior I formed many friendships with prominent concert artists, and with the musical public. When that public takes you to its heart it does not readily forget you, and the warmth and kindness shown are wonderfni. Professional jealousy, of which one hears so much, was conspicuous by its absence: fellow-singers treated mc with Che greatest consideration. An instance, I was to sing at a festival at King's Lrnn. at which the King was present, and I travelled down in company with several of England's most prominent vocalists. I noticed that every paper they gave mc had a piece torn out, and wondered why. Next morning I knew that the paragraphs removed related to the death of my mother, which had not then been communicated to mc; and I discovered that they had torn out the paragraphs containing the news for fear that I should become unnerved. I sang

"Oh. Rest in the Lord," and noticed that the audience seemed very much moved. They knew of the loss of which I was unaware."

In relating some of her experiences, "Te Eangi Pai" said that she gave a song recital at the Queen's Hall soon after arrival. She received very favourable notices, and then began the fight for recognition. " You see," she said,

«New Zealanders in L ndon are so small a community that c eaimot give the same assistance to our fellow colonists that the Larger proportion of Australians can afford. Besides, Australia has already had a couple of big successes, and they are always on the lookout for anybody who comes with a Commonwealth reputation." So the upward path was by no means one of roses, but it was climbed steadily, and before long Mrs. Howie had sung on the same platform as Ada Crossley, Elizabeth Alien, Belle Cole, Muriel Foster, Lady Halle, Wat-kin Mills, and other prominent artists, ■winning golden opinions everywhere. And she found that the English public, though conservative, were very warm-hearted and constant in their liking" for an artist with whom they were pleased, and her name once made, she was offered engagements in plenty, and had the much-sought honour of arcjiiig at the big London song festi-v-Js. including the Albert Hall concerts.

Aiked as to how the plaintive character of the Maori melody suited the London ear, Mrs. Howie stated that she had specialised in this ever ainee arriving in London, and she found a. full appreciation. " They want something new there," she said. ~ and the quaintness of the native songs pleased them greatly. Any language but English is appreciated by the English concertgoer, and the liquid softness of the Maori proved very winning. I sang a number of Maori songs, the Maori version of ' Home, Sweet Home/ and a Maori slumber song coining in for special appreciation.'' It may be mentioned that Mrs. Howie has arranged about 30 Maori songs and ditties, her ambition being to preserve the sweeter songs of the native tongue. A song evele is now being written for her to which she will supply the music. Such a song cycle would, she believes, prove a great success at Heme., in view of the craving for the new and unknown. Mr. Alfred Hill's cantata " Hinemoa" would, she believes, make a. great hit, for the composer ha 3 caught the true melody and the inner meaning of the native love song, battle cry, and chorus.

Mrs. Howie was surprised at the poor character of the concert halls in. the provinces. We are apt to complain in New Zealand, but our halls compare more than favourably with those outside the large centres. In Ireland they were worse still—" and, talking of Ireland," she said. " I found that Limerick was the only place where one cannot buy Limerick lace—but there is plenty of imitation at real lace prices.

Mrs. Howie will proceed to Aistralia next and will gyve a series of song recitals there. Afterwards she will return to London, where a. number of engagements for big concerts await her.

The first of Te Rangi Pars song recitals will be given in the Choral Hall on Thursday evening.