MISS STELLA McLEAN'S CONCERT.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 253, 24 October 1919, Page 10

MISS STELLA McLEAN'S CONCERT.

Before a large and appreciative audience, in tlie concert chamber of the Town 'Hall; last evening, Hiss Stella McLean, a young New Zealand soprimo, gave her initial recital. The singer is a daughter of the late Mr. Murdoch McLean, and has just returned from London after studying music abroad for some time, her teachers being Mr. Fred King at thb Royal Academy, London, Madame dv Collet at the Paris Conservatoire, and when the war l>egan McLean returned to London and continued her work with Madame Effie Thomas, and subsequently became a ]>upil of the distinguished soprano Madame Albani. Miss McLean intends to remain in Auckland and teach einging. Her sister Miss Madge McLean, who accompanied the performers at last night's concert, studied at the Royal Academy 'with Mr. Carlo Abanesi, obtaining her L.R.A.M. certificate; she intends to take pianoforte pupils. _ ' Miss McLean submitted a programme of a varied nature, consisting of operaticIscenas and English and French bolos. In the unfolding of the works of the varied schools of musical thought the soprano showed she was able to bring out the different features and how to display the meaning of the words and music and make them intelligible to the listener. Regarding phrasing, expression, variety of tone, distinctness and correction of J pronunciation and flexibility of vocalisa-i I tion there were conspicuous signs that 1 J much care had been given to these important matters, whilst in reference to the management and control of breath and production Miss McLean has learnt in a. good school. Isidor Georg Menschel'e "Morning Song" was chosen to introduce tho soprano to the audience, and as she came forward a warm reception was accorded the singer. This beautiful number was given with vocal purity and charm which gave pleasure. The highly dramatic and hopeful "Un bel di Vedremo," from Puccini's "Madame Butterlly, - ' was de- j livered in a style which depicted in tone* lof nice timbre the confidence Butterfly had in Pinkerton's return, which would once again bring happiness to them. all. That famous scena, '"Despuis le'Jour," from Gustavo Cliarpentier's wondrous musical drama "Depuis le Jour," from Gustave Charm yie third act of the opera, received a delivery displaying to good effect the intrinsic charm of this lovely number. The opening Andante was expressed in a tranquil style, nicely sustained, and flowing, whilst the "Un Poco Animate" portion, with its variety of treatment, high degrees, and repeated intervals, was eung with justness of intonation, vocal facility, and pleasing tone timbre, which shone out with brilliancy and clearness. Bishop's "Lo! Here the Gentle Lark, , ' with ite flute obligato depicting the voice of the bird, requires a singer possessing a voice of a flexible and pure quality to express ite embellishments and intricate measures. In her performance of this number Miss McLean overcame the difficulties in a way only an acomplished performer could, and sane the florid parts and cadenza admirably, and was capably supported by Mr. Poorc in the flute oblicato. Gracefully phrased and expressively delivered were Massenet's "Elegie" and Mac Donald - Bonner's "'Pierrot Stands in the Garden." Fluency and pleasing quality of voice marked the reading of Thomes' "Les Perles Dor," whilst flexibility, clearness of execution, and movement were special features of the rendering of Parker's "The Lark," and a descriptive and attractive performance was obtained of Caracciolo's delightfully conceived "If Thou Art Sleepin?." During the evening the soloist was handed several beautiful floral tributes and honoured with hearty demands for encores. Wagner's "Star of Eve" and Mallineon's "Eleanore" were effectively sung by Jlr. Barry Coney, whilst Wetzger's '"By the Brook" was played with marked success by the flautist, Mr. G. Poore. Besides ,sympathetically accompanying the performers Miss Madge McLean "was heard in a skilful delivery of Liszt's '•Etude in Flat." ' *