A NEW ZEALAND SOPRANO.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12477, 12 April 1906, Page 3

A NEW ZEALAND SOPRANO.

GRATIFYING SUCCESS.

(ntov ova owx correspondent.) LONDON, March 2. Miss Nora Lone, s New Zealand soprano, trho is a pupil of Madame Minna Fischer, gave her first London concerS last Monday evening at the Bcchstorn Hall with marked and most gratifying success. The Hall was filled with a large and highly appreciative audience.

It must have needed eoome courage to break tlhe ice of a London audience with so exacting a bravura as "Caro Name," the very florid and difficult aria which Verdi li-as given to Gilda, and a little n:a,nifeit nervousness wae not surprising, its effect being to accentuate the tremolo, whidh iis the solo fault of Miss fine singing. Apart from this, however, the singer acquitted herself superbly. She has a powerful and flexible voice of largo compass and excellent quality, which she employe with admirable skill and great effect, while h?r dramatic capacity also niado itself etrongly notewort'ny, suggesting a career in grand opera as her probablu goal. A second operatic air, "Depuis Ie jour." from Chiarpemtier's "Louise," and a vocal waltz, "Aimo Moi," by Chopin, were also brilliantly suns, while a delightful trifle, "Kiss Mc, Swe&t," by Mr G. H. Clustiam, and another by Mr Albert Xtallinson, vreire charmingly interpreted. Finally, Miss Long gave two songs by LiV.srt and Schumann respectively with delightful effect, aa also "Gounod's travetfr-y of Bach's first prelude," as "The- Times" contemptuously terms that papular, if unjustifiable, setting of the"Aye Maria."

Miss Nora Long may bo congratulated upon scoring a very grea* and decisive iuccees at her fimt concert, and that is no small achievement in London where only the best in music is even tolera/ted. If only she will get rid of her one fault, that regrettable tremolo, she ehould tako a distinguished place iv grand opera. The critics of the leading London papers have been exceptionally able. Thus, for instanco, "The Times" flays that Miss Long's choice of "Caro Nome" wed! displayed the remarkable range of her voice and its flexibility. The "Morning Post" says Miss Long's voice 'Us of the order classed as dramatic; it is of good quality and range, and is used with considerable art."

"Australia, and its near neighbour.. New Zealand," cays the "Standard," "!have Bent U6 more than one singer who has risen to distinction. Miss Noia Long, who appeared last night, is a iiiigh soprano, gifted witlh, a natural .voice of compass, flexibility, and accuracy. Ait present dh© appears to be .somewhat wanting in, finish and style, as displayed by a good 'but 'by no means perfect performan'oe of 'Caro Nome,' from 'B-igoletto. , She is, however, undoubtedly gifted with artistic and dramaitio porcejption, and her fresh voice and pleasing personality should enable her to do well in her profession." The "Daily Mail, , ; after eayuig that Miss Long "sings with reel artistic intention, and (her voice is a high one, with a considerable range;" adds "she would do well, however, to refrain from foredne bar high notes, ■as this gives aJI tihe effect of a faulty productdom. In, light French oh an sons by Qharpen&ier and Chopin ehe is heard at her very best, aucl her audience were manifestly deEighted witfh her flexible ronderinae of tlbese."