JOHN BROWNLEE.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20828, 11 April 1933, Page 7

JOHN BROWNLEE.

<►- NEXT SATURDAY'S CONCERT. At the Radiant Hall next Saturday music-lovers will have the opportunity of giving a fitting welcome to one of the greatest of living baritones, Mr John Brownlee, the 32-year-old British baritone who has risen to eminence in the operatic and concert world of Europe. Mr Brownlee will be supported by two particularly gifted young artists—Miss Rita Miller, the well-known Ballarat soprano, and Mr Raymond Lambert, a brilliant pianist, who will give several groups of solos in addition to acting as accompanist. Referring to Mr Brownlee's exquisite artistry, Melbourne "Table Talk" said: "His voice of beautiful, vibrant quality, Is used with consummate art. Not only is the production as near perfection as is humanly possible, and so effortless that it is a delight to hear, but it is treated as a perfect instrument and employed to give the most delicate graduations of tonal colour and expression. Every note is clearly articulated, so that no phrase is ever allowed to lose one iota of its beauty. High intelligence, artistic insight, and a nice instinct for dramatic values are all his, and a sense of comedy to leaven the more serious qualities. To crown all, he pronounces his words so distinctly that his hearers have the pleasure of being able to follow not only the words, but the sense, and every inflexion of their meaning, and their pleasure in the song is considerably enhanced." A very fine programme has been selected for next Saturday's concert. Among Mr Brownlee's numbers will be "Vision Fugitive" (from Massenet's opera "Herodiade"), a group of beautiful Schumann and Strauss lieder—"lch Grolle Nicht," "Du Bist Wei Eine Blume," and "Zueignung"—two OldWorld English songs, "Phyllis Has Such Charming Graces" and "Silent Worship"; the dramatic "Erl King" (Schubert): the "Don Giovanni" Serenade, and. in association with Miss Rita Miller, the duets from "Rigoletto" and "Don Giovanni." In addition the eminent baritone will sing some of his most popular English offerings as extras, and, as far as possible, he will accede to special requests in this respect. Miss Rita Miller will be heard in the Bell Song from "Lakme." and in an oldworld group—"A Pastoral" (Carey). "The Knotting Song" (Purccll), and "The Lass With the Delicate Air" (Arne). Mr Raymond Lambert, the brilliant pianist, will include the BachTausig "Toccata and Fugue." and a modern group—"Jeux d'Eaux" (Ravel), and Scherzo in E flat major (de —among his numbers. The box plans are now open at The Bristol, and the management announces that unreserved tickets for Saturday's concert will be obtainable there all day Thursday.