THE LELY SEASON.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10032, 10 May 1898, Page 5

THE LELY SEASON.

OPENING RECITAL.

In these days of large companies and crowds of people on a stage it is somewhat of a task for one man to essay to entertain an audience for o whole evening. That Mr Durward Lely, our latest professional visitor, succeeds most thoroughly in doing so is a great tribute to his powers. Mr Lely made his debut amongst us last night, and, although the audience, albeit somewhat Scotch, waa, as is the fashion of Cbristchurch audiences, a wee bit coldly critical, achieved a decided and complete success. Just in passing we may remark that it would be an improvement if the management relieved the bareness of the stage somewhat. Though perhaps in keeping with the character of "Caledonia stern and wild," bare boards and a somewhat dingy set unrelieved in any way is apt to have a depressing effect upon the audience.

Mr Lely possesses in a market! degree the gift which one so seldom sees in vocalists. that of intense sympathy and power to, as it were, for the nonce invest oneself with the particular phase, be it pathetic or humorous, intended to he illustrated.- To more fully bring out this reference may be made to two songs in close proximity on last night's programme, "The Laird o' Coekpen" iuid that most charming yet pathetic ballad "U open the door." The clever pawky humout which runs through the tirst was most admirably brought out, indeed it may be said that the song was acted with an inimitable sense of fun which made it most enjoyable. In the second the deep pathos, the niter abandonment to soitow which is the keynote of the composition, was equally poweifully and dramatically expressed. It must be remembered that the mere singer, unaided by the appeal to the wtnses supplied by operatic performances, has a fax , harder task to ponrtray the varying scenes of human life from grave to gay, and therefore Mr Lely's success in this 'respect is the more marked. Tin's particular point was even more strongly developed in the contrast between the broad humour of " The barrin' o , the door," and "Allister McAllister," and the mournful deep religions pathos of The Land o , the Leal.' One can. see at a glance how Mr Lely's operatic training has stood him in good stead in the grasping, as he has most? emphatically done in the two songs under notice, of the different characteristics delineated. Two other songs in which Mr Lely showed a wonderful degree* of tenderness and delicacy of treatment were that most charming composition of Burns, "0 a' the airts,' which was excellently sung, and the ballad which has become to be recognised as the acme of love songs, "Annie Laurie," into the singing of the latter more particularly Mr Lely infused a fervour and warmth which was thoroughly in keeping with the words. In the more humorous portions of his songs, such as "Hame came oor guidman," "Come under my plaidie," and "The Laird o . Cockpen," to which reference has been made, and "Aiister McA lister," the very malody of which sets one dancing, Mr Lely fairly revelled, and to a certain extent infected his audience with the rollicking humour (be songs induced. Of Mr Lely's voice ono cannot but speak in the highest praise. It is a pure tenor of great sweetness and power, and he manages it most artisfcica'lv, the piano and forte effects being wonderfully well done. In his higher notes his voice is both sweet and strong, and one uotic*uMe point is its trueness, and intense syiaptijy. He tells Scotch stories with a good deal of sly humour, and always makes the point tell, whilst his commentaries on the variooe songs are admirable and well expi.'?«*«j. fcfi* Lely not only plays the occo no* mutants ■with much artistic ability, and what- Iβ so rare au entire abnegation of the acao njaiih t as a solo player, but she is a soloist of no mean ability. Her two, Scottish eel'ctione were given with great spirit and effect lonight the recital will "Dβ "Eantin Rovirf Robin," or a "Nickt wi . Barns,' «bich should be a most enjoyable programme.