JOHN McCORMACK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 17, 19 January 1912, Page 7

JOHN McCORMACK.

A MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE The famous Irish tenor, Mr. John McCormack, who has just concluded a very successful season in Australia with the Melba Grand Opera Company, gave his first and only concert in the Town llall last night, when there was a crowded attendance. The occasion was one of exceptional interest, as the singer has a world-wide reputation, is one of the greatest lyric tenor 3 of the day, and is at the height of hi 3 fame. He is only 27 years of age, and was born in Athole, Ireland. He won a gold medal for singing at. the competitions in Dublin, after which he was advised to study voice production. In 100.T he proceeded to Italy, to study under the famous teacher. Rignor Sabatini, and made his debut at Savona in Mascagni's " L'Amico Fritz," and sang in "Faust" several times. At the end of 1906 ho returned to England and for a long time tried to get a hearing or appearance. Finally he was engaged to sing at the Boosey ballad concerts in February, 1907. His success at the first concert was phenomenal and caused a sensation. Shortly after he was engaged for a season at Covent Cardcn. and appeared with Madame Tctrazzini. His success was again so great that he received a four years' engagement for the grand season at the same place in 1908, which he concluded last year, lie also has a five years' engagement to sing in America during the opera season which terminates next year, and is. again appearing under a four years' engagement at Covent Garden, commencing in April npxt. He 1s now on his way to fulfil concert arrangements in America.

The distinguished visitor has associated with him Miss Rosina Buckmann, a soprano cantatrice, well known to Aueklanders, who is rapidly climbing up the ladder of musical fame; and Mr. Alfred Kaufmann, principal basso "of Melba's Grand Opera Company. The programme was happily chosen, and revealed to fine advantage the gifts of the singers in ballads, while there were just enough operatic numbers to 6how what finished artists the perform? ers were, and make one wish that they could hear them in opera proper. This was made manifest by the remarkable successes achieved in tie scenas from " La Boheme," " Rigoletto," and "Faust," sung without the aid of orchestra and stage equipment. What the effect would have been with all accessories one can easily imagine. However, these numbers were superbly rendered; the evening was one of great pleasure, and will long be remembered. Mr. McCormaek created a great impression, and everybody left the hall unanimous in (heir approval of the singer's exceptional talents. He was enthusiastically received, the applause lasting some moments, while after each appearance he was heartily recalled s nd compelled in most instances to sing double and triple encore pieces. Mr. McCormaek has the necessary equipment of a fine natural voice, perfectly developed and controlled, delightfully even in timbre, wonderful middle voice, and splendid method of singing. His power in the great, art of respiration enables him to sustain his notes any length required, while the way he makes the notes " spin " is a perfect study. His elesant rise of the vibration of the voice, passins from piano to forte, lends great, colour to his musieil phrases, and it is so artistically achieved that no jerk or \iolent action is felt. His portamento is made to slide with delicious sweetness end rapidity through a nnmner of intervals almost imperceptible to the car. He intones with certainty and exactness, and his deportment is dignified and easy. Of special heanty is his mezzo voce singins-, and '>is pianissimo passages possess that carrving quality which render them delightful to listen to. He has fine physique, while there is something convincing in the frankness and simplicity of his'style and easy manner in which he establishes a cordial feeling with the audience. That beautifully melodious scena 'Che gelida Manina,'' from Puccini's "La Boheme" —a solo of comprehensive range —- introduced the singer to the audience. It was delivered with emotional fullness, with a tine sense of rhythm, purity of tone in the upper notes, elegant phrasing, and power in the declamatory passages. A vociferous double recall followed this effort, after which he sang "Molly BaW and an old Irish song by Chaucov Olteott. Marshall's "I Hear You Calling" exhibited the singer's delightful mezzo voce and charming portamento to splendid purpose. After which another double recall was requested, when the tenor gave a Song" and "Oft in the Stilly Night." Liza Lehmann's "Ah, Moon of My Delight" was exquisitely rendered, aud at the close the singer was honoured with a determined triple recall, which he responded to with Verdi's "La Donna e Mobile." which he sang with graceful abandon and elegance, and displayed delightful purity and charm of style in Bhrmenthal's "Evening Song" and "Killamey." The basso, Mr. Alfred Kaufmann, ha.s a fine voice, under full command. His range extends over two octaves, from E flat to G. He sings with that assurance and positiveness gained by experience and study, with perfect purity of tone, truth of intonation, and facility of articulation, while the other tranches of his art, taste, expression, and the va-rious qualities which are comprehended under the word style, are prominent in all he undertakes. Specially pleasing and rich in quality are his low notes, while he vocalises with rare facility and distinctness his scale passages. That great solo of Moussorgsky, "A Song of the Flea," from Goethe's "Faust," » most difficult composition to interpret, found an able exponent in Mr. Kaufmann. It displayed to fine effect the principal and upper reaches of his voice, besides his declamatory style of singing. He gave with freedom and facility Carroll's "Rip Van Winkle," and was most successful with Mr. McCormaek in the duo of Verdi's "Solenne in quest ora." He was warmly recalled after each solo, when he contributed with marked success "In Celler Cool," wherein his twooctave scale at the close was most effective, Verdi's 'TI Paeerato Spirito," and "The Yeoman's Wedding Song." Miss Rosina Buckmann, who has just added fresh laurels by her successful singing with Melba in opera, received a warm welcome, and was honoured with hearty manifestations of approval after her solos, and during the evening was overwhelmed with handsome floral tributes. The cantatriee has made great strides in her singing and style of performance, ner voice is fuller, higher, and richer in tone, while her method of singing is on the right lines. She gave artistic renderings of Gounod's "Jewel Song" and Alfred Hill's "In Fairyland" and "Waiata Pni." and as encores sang Oowec's "Birthday Song" i »nd Lehmann's "Cuckoo."* Mass, Bmrk-

maun also joined the tenor and basso in a finished performance of the "Terzetto e Finale," from Gounod's '"Faust." Miss Ina Bosworth, violiniste. distinguished herself by her intelligent performances of Wieniavrsld's *'Let>«>nde'' and Seitz's "Puztaklango/' receiving merited recalls after each contribution. when she gave Drdla's -'Serenade" and Saint-Saens' "Le Cygne." Mr. Spencar Clay accompanied mo.-,t artistically, and played successfully several solos on the grand organ. To-day Mr. McConnack, his wife, and Messrs. Kaufmann and Clay left for America by the Vancouver steamer.