ERNEST DRAKE CONCERT.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 6975, 13 February 1918, Page 3

ERNEST DRAKE CONCERT.

A. satisfactory aud highly appreciative audience found two hours of tho'Otigh ODJoyment at tho Town Hall last night, when Mr Ernest Drake, the brilliant New Zealand tenor, and Madame Stuart Dallas, the culured contralto, assisted by Miss Clarice Wood, a highly accomplished pianist, and Mr Tom Harris, an entertainer of conspicuous ability, provided an entertainment which might justly be described as a revel of glorious melody appropriately interspersed with character and humourous sketches. We feel certain that there c^n only be one opiuiou as to the merits of the performers —excellent —and that they thoroughly justified all that haa been said and written of them. Mr Drake came with tho highest of reputations. His efforts last night in no way detracted from that reputation. His first contribution was " Oomo into the Garden Maud," and he had naturally to respond to an encore. "If you Would Love Me," and " Trooper Johnny Ludlow " followed, and later " Sometimes iv £uainior," and " Farewell." The last-mentioued contribution was easily his best, a fact which the audiHiica quickly demonstrated. Mr Drake also demonstrated that he has a beautiful voice, of tho rarest purity, wkich was a treat to hesr. • Madame Dillas has certainly a glorious contralto voice of exceptional power. Her contributions were delightful, and the audience demanded her repeated appearance. MUs Ularice Wood, who played the accompaniments throughout, in addition to contributing a piano sola iv each part of the programme, can o«rtaiuly claim to be a mast accomplished pianist, aud for both her solos she was lecalled. Mr Tom Harris completed the quartette of acomplished entertainern. His character and humourous sketches were excellent, and iv the second part of the pro gramme tho audience parted with him reluctantly We would like to hear them all again.