WALTER KIRBY RECITALS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1913, Page 9

WALTER KIRBY RECITALS.

A GIFTED TENOK. Mr. Walter Kirby, an old Auckland boy who has made a name for himself in the world of song, gave his first recital in the Town Hall last night before a lar-e and appreciative audience. The Governor and the Countess of Liverpool and party were present. Since Mr. Kirby sans in the old Opera House with the Melb's. Concert Company in 1303, he has 'appeao-ed successfully in England and on the Continent, and has done a lot of hard study .in Italy. He made Ms flrat appearance in London at the Monday Popular Concerts in St.'- .lames' Hall, and took part in oratorios at the Crystal Palace, besides -appearing before Royalty. Mr. Kirby was accorded a warm welcome,' and -though he was programmed for IS items, he had to sing several encores, so pleased were those present with his performance. Remembering Mr. Kirbv's singing in the Melba concert in lUO3' one could not fail to notice the wonderful transformation which has taken place in the singer's method and style. So changed is it in every way that it sounds quite another voice It is much rounder and fuller in timbre, and has' great flexibility, while he possesses that rarest of vocal attainments, a pure and w-ell-balanced legato. His words arc clearly enunciated, and every form of vocal expression is delivered in an artistic manner. His singing as essentially of the Ivric order, and he appears to favour the suave and flowing style of composition: yet he has great versatility as was proved by his programme. In'the scale passages his voice moves evenly and clearly. and the sustained intervals are sung in a manner that proved he has a thorough knowledge of the art of respiration. His pianissimo singing possesses that carrying quality which makes every note particularly dis-tinct,-vet rich and dulcet in tone. His opening number was that beautiful scena from Puccini's "La Bohemc," '* lour Tiny Hand is Frozen," which was rendered v.-ith emotional fullness, purity of tone in the upper notes, elegant phrasing and power in the declamatory passages. In response to an enthusiastic recall, he returned and gave Marshall's "I Hear You Calling Me." Masons '•The Bmptv Nest." and Maud W T hitc's "To Mary 3 * were elegantly phrased and sung'with a delightful legato. A fine feelin" for rhythm was displayed in the performance of Offenbach's -'Barcarolle." Delightful were the voice modulations in Theaksome's "Life," and very expressively rendered was Heron-Maxwells "■Uter" while quite a study in sustained singing and phrasing was the performance given of Jacobs-Bond lyric, A itudv in Symbols." The Leoncavallo "So" and 7 Moore's "The Bells of Shiurdon." were also most successfully rendered, while artistic performances were secured of a group of songs by Harty, de Fontenailles, Lambert, Gren fell and Robinson. Mr. Kirby also joined Miss Rae in a, pleasing performance of the. duo. "Love Alone O'er Hearts Has Sway" from "La Bohcme," which was enthusiastically re-demanded. Miss Ina Bosworth was heartily encored after her vtolin solos by Hubay and Wieniawski. ' Miss Ethel Rae was recalled after uer effective nderings of Liza Lehmann' f ''The Wood Pigeon" and "Tfie Wren" := and Mass. M°Mitchell, pianist, played with marked success a Chopin and "Y&ise'i and Schubert-LMdfc . E" Kin"-" The pianoforte accompaniments were sympathetically played by Messrs. L O. Whittaker and IT.'Piper. \ *ext Wednesday evening Mr. Kirby givey, m* second recital in the same hall, when lie sings, amongst other items Gounods 'Lend Mc Your Aid" and *I We'll •jjisc."