MISS CROSSLEY'S CONCERT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11750, 26 November 1903, Page 5

MISS CROSSLEY'S CONCERT.

A MEMORABLE MUSICAL EVENT.

Lovers of music in Chrietchurch bat* from time to time had the opportunity of hearing vocal oetebritiea who hare made » high reputation in the Old World, bmt it is Mfc to say that last night, in Miaa: Ada Croaaley, tit* climax of musieel success j ires reached. Poaaeased of a charming persoanlity, trbich at oooe placed her en rapport with the a«d»enc«, Mh» Croesky is besides a consummate artiet. Not only does slie possess a voice without the •lightest cigo of break throughout it* range and orgaurlike in Avpih a«d resonance, but one with ' wonderful sympathy aad eoul pervading it. The test of a singer weft of the highest rank is not co much the ability to execute with ease and effect the Bond passages which occur ia some of the more ambitious compositions as to give simple ballads so as to influence the * feelings of the audience. This is what Was Croeiley does most wonderfully. To hear her last night sing "Q that we two were maymg with the deep pathos of the bet veree » thrillingly expressed, or that most charming natural fore song "A tittle Silver Ring," wtus a revektion in th« art of singing. So also in the old English ballad "The Banks of Allan Water," alias Croseley, by her intensity of feeling, added to her grand power of vocalisation, stirred the bearU of those who heard her. With a gene* rarity in tlie matter of ballad ainging which come «fl the spontaneous response to the enthusiastic welcome accorded to Iter, Miss Crossley addod "We'd Better Bide a Wee and "Home Sweet Home," Both were euna not only urtuttioally but with » beaatiful embodiment of the sentiment of each that evoked a perfect storm of ftpplauee. In the first of these, two ballads MUe Croesley, with a consideration that ehotfed the rare quality of thougbtfulnew for others, sang facing the largo portion, of the audience seated on the «t*ge, who. throughout the other portion of the programme had listened with the back of the sdnger turned to them. "Home, Sweet Home," has been snug here often and well, bat Miss Crostlev'e Bringing of the well-known melody in tke deep mellow tone* of the lovely contralto voice with which she ha* been gifted was • musioal treat which wiil long be xemembemd. It is not, however, only in ballad musio that the distinguished artist excels. Oiordani'a song "Care Mio Ben" has long been, regarded a* a test song for contraltos in the matter of execution. Here, also, in the wonderfully artistic management of her voice,, the clearness and accuracy, of her phrasing, and the ease and grace with which the effects were obtained, Miss Croasley was maguifioent. She oku sang very finely, in oerman, Brahm'e song "Yon *wiger Liebe. "The Four-leaf Clover," by Wilkby, • composer of whose works Alisa Croselev jhaa' been in England e> distinguished ex* ponent* and a- very pretty and quaint aong. "Love the Pedlar," we» both rendered most artistically. The delight and enthusiasm of the imdienoa found expression, not alonti in rapturous applause and redemands, which it eeemed hard to aeiaafy, but in a number of floral offerings.- rruly last night is marked with a whit* atone in our musical history. The suppoitaooorded to Mia* Oroatley wu worthy of the oentaal figoi* of the evening.' Mr Peterkin aa a be*** cantate of considerable ability. Hit voice is full, round, and resonant, and he" singe with nroeh eaee and effect. His opening number, the aiia "Arm, Ann, Y« Brave,'! ' from "Jodae Maccabees,", was well givaa. The reeitativo Was decUim»d with just enough force, and the am heelf was sung smoothly end skilfully. For an encore he gave "OS to PbiladelplOa." «xoeU«nUy. : BulSviin'e "Sailor'a Grave has not & grmt deal to reconuneud it, but Mr PeUrlun sang it with «• good deal of patboi. Hie encore number, "Lonf Y«*w Ago .in Alcala," was mn% with a tflorouzb appreciation and delineation of the deliaiouely . sly humour whica in the characteristic of th» song. It Wee jencc-red, and repeated. . Mr, l'ercy Gi-ainger is & pianist of a quieter school than we- have heard lately, but. he is none the kas effective. He played Beethoven's. "Capriccriaw" very > well, and was also heard,Co advantage in the. duet with Mr Jacobs, whjtch,opened the programme. ; . The "Military Maroh,' , Sehn-bei-uTansjV, vriih which the second fart commsncecT, affonffd Mr Grainger an opportunity of d»«playang ooaaidentble power of execution,

: Mr Jacques Jacobs, the ■rolinStt of the party, though lacking fir* wwnewhat, . wae yet good. His best numl>en -were the encore pieces, "Saint Amor" and "Romance," by Wiemvwaki. Tie epleadid accompaainumt* of "Heir Beaoo Scherd[ f added no* to' the BUCOSBS of the evening. Tbei* wee an immense audience, every part of tit* great Hall being filled and some 400 or 600 having to be acoommodated on the stage. Him Croeeley end her company left for Wellington after tb« conoert.