MADAME STRATHEARN.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17116, 11 April 1921, Page 10

MADAME STRATHEARN.

; A unique visitor to Christehurch is Madame Strathearn (A.R.A.M., London). Madame is .'- very -well-known conceit performer at Home. On the outbreak of war «he immediately enlisted, and served continuously on the French front, and was indeed only demobilised late last year. . It is calculated,that she Bang to upwards of a million British and oversea soldiers. A laTge. amount of service was given by her to toldiers from New Zealand, and she was immediately recognised at the Soldiers' Social in tho Art Gallery on Saturdaj- jnight, by men who heard her at the front. ■ Mau'amo is giving six months of her time freely to work among tho dockers of West Ham. Site is deeply impressed by tf-he claim of the citizen of tomorrow, and believes that large institutional work will overtake much of the sordid misery of-elum rife." • She "appeared" at her- first concert in Christehurch on Saturday night in tie Choral Hall. . There was a very large audience, and a, thoroughly appreciative one. Madame fitratheain is unique in that'she l. a concert party' hercelf. Unaided 1 by ac»-m,-panist or by other vocalist,- eh© ur.tcsrtakes the whole programme, and by a quaint medley of song and story, and remarkable instrumental imitation, she provides a very satisfying evening entertainment On Saturdaj the Mayor presided, and welcomed Madame the city, and spoke most appreciatively of the work she.add Sister Kathleen, who travels •with her, are doing. Dr. Thacker commended their appeal for holp to the generosity of the citizens. The programme was very varied, and consisted o£ the favourite songs that she sang in the billets in, France. Madame has a voice of n- remarkable, range. She sings both soprano and contralto. She was beard to much advantage in the ballads of .Ireland and. Scotland. "53i« Rosary." wai a' very , effective number; and so were the Indian love songs, for which she received a great ovation. Perhaps the most mysterious, of ber performances were cornet and trombone solos. These, instruments are perfectly mimicked. The Prince'of W*le* and one of the Princesses ' were interested auditors •of these - -numbera : in English. con-. ,certs, and Madame told ; of the efforts- of ..'Royalty-to .pioduce' the cornet effect. ■;■ ing the - evening Sister Kathleen spoke,' of the "life of East Eridcrs, and made an appeal, which was generously responded t«, on behalf .of the new institution that she tis seeking to.build for their help. Madame is a, tireleas '.porformer, : -iind at the Mayor's, request yProceeded :frpm; her concert -to--.the Artr. Gal',Jeiry, and gave .several'iinmbcis to an en'thusiaptic, crowd!' On Sunday a eaored recital from the ■ oratorios, was given in the - Choral Hall. There was a crowded attendance, arid cveTy^ number was ft triumph. ' To-night, .in the Choral Had!, the second concert . is. to be given. The .final concert will be given iri St. Paul's Church to-morrow evening} and pictures:will be shown by Sister Kathleen, in addition to a full programme which Madame will contribute. Tickets for Tuesday's concert may be obtained at The Bristol, at.L. M. leitt's, .and at the Booklovers' Library.