SONG RECITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 24, 28 January 1921, Page 6

SONG RECITAL.

An operatic recital may well have its | terrors for the most capable of artists. To portray a passionate or a tragic role for a aria—without aid from orchestra or soe-_ry or even costume—this is undoubtedly a feat to try a performer's utmost resources. It speaks well for Mr. Hubert Carter's abilities as an operatic singer to say that he came out of the test last night like a veteran. His programme was by no means easy. It comprised selections from Puccini. Massenet. Verdi. Meyerbeer (the German 1 who composed like an Italianl and Goring Thomas, the well-known English compose:. It ranged from tragic almost to trivia] — from the majestic beauty of "(). Paradiso." the grand aria in Meyerbeer's L'Africaine." to a coou song of Noel Johnson's, and in all he sang feelingly, tastefully and easefullv. He has the finish of diction, polish of expression and delicate control of vocalisation that betoken the true operatic artist. Whether he was more at home in the aria from Massenet's opera- "Manon Lesoaut," "Ah. Kuyez Douce lina-p," or the air "O Vision Entrancing." from Coring Thomas' "Esmeralda." it is difficult to say. but there is no doubt that in the delightful evening song of Blunienthal's "Good Night. Love." and Hubert Parry's "Song of the Woods." he sang with rare delicacy of feeling and expression. Assisting- at the recital were Miss "Slvra Monk and Mr. Cecil Little, "celfist. Miss I Mouk gave the aria "Due Fine Day," from! Puccini's pathetic little opera of Japan, ! "Madame Butterfly." took part in the wellknown Miserere scene from "II and saug the famous solo from "r"amson and Delilah" iSaint-Saensi, "Softly Awakes! My Heart." As a singer she gives little' ground for criticism. She has a -mezzo- j soprano of sweetness, strength and purity, i She uses it tastefully and with genuine artistry. But for operatic roles she seems' to need cultivation of more temperament, j more abandonment to the inspiration of the I character she is Impersonating, and to the! atmosphere of the opera to which it he- j longs. These are requirements, fortunately, I that are not difficult iv her case to supply, tv a duet. "Silent Above the Hills." given as an encore, her voice and Mr. Carter's blended admirably. [ Mr. Cecil Little, in his first selection. "Arlequin" i Popped. ' was- not so happy as j in the "Romance" by the same composer he rendered later. The "cello is a difficult solo instrument, although Cassals has made it so popular of late years. But the con.-ert room of the Town 'Hall has by no means ideal acoustic properties, and it is almost impossible to bring out the best tones ot the 'cello from its platform. Mr. Little was | applauded and encored, as indeed were all the performers. Mr. Leo Whittaker at the piano proved a most sympathetic accompanist. It is to be regretted there, was not as large an audience as the recital deserved. A vocal recital will he given on Saturday night.