STELLA MURRAY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18550, 27 November 1925, Page 10

STELLA MURRAY.

:+ FAREWELL RECITAL. In defiance of wind and weather, the audience present at the Theatre Royal to hear Miss Stella Murray's recital last night left hardly a seat vacant. Again, she succeeded at once in fascinating her listeners, calling forth the hear tiest applause after every number. On this occasion she tilled the whole programme by herself, unaided, except by her valiant accompanist. The programme presented was more aptly chosen, her voice came to full display not merely by way of exception, like in her first recital. Opening with Handel's Aria, "Where'er You Walk," she threw the whole sympathy of her voice into the beautiful strains; following it up with William Byrd's charming "Cradle Song" and Dvorak's "I Will Sing New Songs." The second group was headed by Chopin's "Lithuanian Song." an exquisite composition of touching dramatic import joined with a sons: bv Rachmaninoff, "The Little Island," and again Tsehaikowskv's great "To the Forest," in which Miss Murray had excelled on the first night, and with that splendid aria "My Heart is Weary," by Goring Thomas, very impressively sung, ended the first part* finding jubilant approval. The encores included "People Who Have Gardens," Kobert Hughes's "Terrible Bobberman," and "The Cuckoo," bv Martin Shaw. In pathetic, lyric, or humorous stylo, the singer proved herself equally at home and effective. Resuming after the interval, songs by Hugo Wolf, of which particularly "Come, Marv, Take Comfort," struck one decplv, a fine song, "Devotion, bv Richard Strauss, and "The Blacksmith," by Brahms, all delivered with much skill, made an admirable combination. Then we were led to a bunch of English songs, a very clever setting of "Caller Herrin'," by William Robertson, and Roger Quilter's finely designed "Over the Mountains" being the favourites. Finally, Stanford s lovelv "A Soft Day." and "Johneen were" bracketed together with Harold Oraxton's dainty "Snowdrop,' and. in great contrast, the same author's very fine sacred song, "Bless Thou the Lord " the encores comprising ine ■Bold' Unbiddable Child}" "Annie Laurie," and Hughes's "I Know Where I am Goin'." Miss Murray has seeured for herselt a lasting, affectionate memory in all who heard her. Of Mr Harold Whittle, .her accompanist's worth, it can be said again and israin that he maintained his infallible masterv and perfect taste through every number of hfs task, exacting the highest skill and ;ndurance.