CHARLES HACKETT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18138, 30 July 1924, Page 7

CHARLES HACKETT.

I + A GREAT CONCERT TENOR. The widespread interest evinced in the forthcoming concerts, to be given in the Theatre Royal commencing on Thursdaj, August 7th, when the world-famo" 3 tenor, Mr Charles Hackett, will be heard here for the first time, may be taken as on indication that the great singer will be greeted by a crowded house on his opening night. Mr Hackett, ivhose reputation has been made chiefly in Italy and other European countries, received a remarkable welcome vlien he returned after many years to a song recital in his native Boston. One of the best known American music critics, reviewing the performance, said: —"A song: recital by a great operatic artist, not long ago of La Scala and other Italian stages of the first rank, ; more recently beard and admired at the Metropolitan in New York. By many a sign of his songs and singing, hn is what the dialect of his profession calls "a serious artist." Through two divisions of the programme, one allotted to old Italian airs, and one to modern pieces plus Greig, Mr Hackett astounded his hearers by the superb quality 'of his voice, the proof of his vocal skill, and his agreeable presence. Throughout, Mr Hackett's tones are even; everywljere they are finely resonant; at the singer's wilj they readily take curve and colour. His tones are round and edgeless; he heeds the unfolding progress of a melody, linking phrase to phrase; he respects rhythm. The. first, hint of Mr Ilackctt's truo quality came in Grieg's Dream, when flio gently ecstatic mood began to grow in his tones. When he passed to Liszt's song of erotic longing and night vision, ecstacy floodrd fheui —kept the melodic lino pulsing, the phrases* rich, the progress ardent and resilient, the colotir warm and deep. Hero was a true master of song." Associated with the famous singer is a violinist of neat virtuosity and much charm in the person of S'nvanovitch Bratza, the young Serbian, who seems to be in a fair WH3- to overtake ! the reputation of that other remarkable young Slav, Jascha Heifetz. The pianist is Mr Clarence R&vbould. well-known in England as solo pianist and also as musical director of several of the Beecham operas, as well, as the London productions of "The Beggar's Opera," and "Lilao Time." The Boa Plana will be opened at The Bristol Piano Co. on Friday morning.