MADAME CLARA BUTT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 103, 24 January 1908, Page 8

MADAME CLARA BUTT.

SECOND CONCERT AT THE TOWN HALL A FINE PROGRAMME. . The concerts that arc being given at -the Town Hall by Madame Clara Butt, Mr. Kenne'rley Rumlord, and company, nnist figure in local musical history as an-epoch. Now Zealand has known artists, highly eminent in the artistic centres of the- world, but to enjoy tho presence of two such people in tho same programme is not a vocal treasure of every day or -year; and their advent coming ill advance of revisitation's from such artists as 'Mark Hambourg, Miss Ada Crossley, and Madame .Sarah Bernhardt,- whose engagements for Australasian tours have been chronicled in rapid succession, surely indicates an uplifting in the morale of the public taste in such matters. ■ For a long time, hitherto, we have been, pleased to get what tho gods—in the . person . of Australasian managements'—'have been "good enough in their wisdom to bestow on us, hut the horizon brightens- with the knowledge that in this part: of . * tho world we can show a proper measure of appreciation ;of the-higher forms of musical and dramatic art: 'No one could doubt the assertion who was present at the. second 'concert given by Madame Butt and her talented company ill the Town Hall last evening. 'flio great auditorium was not quite full, it is true, hut it was a vast audience, and the reception, accorded .to - the gifted singers was even warmer: than on s the occasion of their, first appearance. . .. Madame Butt elected to sing, as her first number,' something quite now. to most of those present, tho. aria "Divinites du Styx," from the opera "Alceste," of Gluck, which showy excerpt is admirably suited for a display of her magnificent voice. It rang with convincing truth in itlie, fine challenge it flung at fate, and stirred up the wliole gamut of pent emotions that we English endeavour so conventionally and successfully to conceal. ' The imperative encoro demanded produced the seductively sweet "Wiegen Lied"'(Slumber Son") of Brahms, which composer figured largely in the programme of last evening: Still the audience were unsatisfied, aiid Madame Butt acceded to their insistent solicitations with the vocal idyll "In my Garden." by Liddlc, tho composer of "Abide with Me" (who; by the way, usually officiates as the singer's accompanist in England):: Perhaps the song-most intensely enjoyed was'a new setting of Tennyson's "Break, break, 'break,"- by Lewis Carey, into the aching lines of which she poured coruscations' of emotional colour. Then came the lyrical cameo " Smiles" (Missi Heron Maxwell), delightfully interpreted.' This was far from enough, for the audience,' and in response to uncontrolled applause/, tho singer, who had bowed a' dozen times, gavo Sullivan's " Lost Chord," recognised in the first two bars of introduction by a further Vollpy of hand-clapping. It is safe to say that the song lias never been so wonderfully siing in' Wellington, and' Madame Biitt was accorded, an ovation. An i-organ accompaniment by Mr. Ed. J. Sykes greatly enhanced the effect! With Mr. Rumford, Madame Butt also sang the seri-coinic "Keys of " diiot' (old English),' in which the- pair, suggested the naive encounter admirably. : . .- : Mr. Kennerley Rumford commenced with a bracketed trio, of songs by Brahms. While his art is great, it is suggested that he was perhaps \a little, too lackadaisical in "Wie bist dn'msine Konigin," but he was admirable in' " Standclion," mid his German in both was very good.. It, was in "0, Death!" that he rose to great heights, carrying the audi- j enco along enthralled. Mo was loudly encored, and sang Lnhr's "Eyes that used to -gaze, in mine" with fine feeling.. His lovesongs also included "Thy Beaming Eyes" (Ed. MacDowell). The public's love of tho humorous is notorious, and no' heartier applause was given to the baritone than for German's " Four Jolly Sailormen," in which the singer rollicked delightfully. "A"n cncoro was demanded, and ho responded readily with the popular "Two Grenadjers " (Schumann), the rousing " Marseillaise" tag of which always appeals to an audience. The violin solos, of Mr. Carl Barro wore heartily welcome. He played Schumann's "Garten Melodie" delightfully, . and was thoroughly successful in the tricky work entailed in the grotesquo ."Bohemian Dance" of Randegger, jun. Another effective effort was' Sarasato's charming ZigeuncrWeiso," which is prettier than it looks in print. He Was vociferously 'encored) and responded with Chopin's " Nocturnc." Mr. Frank Merrick played piano soli, Brahms's " Sonatensatz. ' some clever variations on Handel's "Harmonious Blacksmith," and created a good impression in a movement of Brahms's "Rhapsody" ,in E flat. Mr. Arthur Godfrey was a faultless accompanist. During the evening Madame Butt was tho recipient of several beautiful floral trophies. 1 SATURDAY'S CONCERT. At the extra and final concert to he given on Saturday evening, Madame 'Butt- will sing Handel's "Largo" (with organ, piano, and violin), Cowen's " The Promise of Life," and with Mr. Rumford, "Dear Love of Mine," from " Nadeshda". (Goring Thomas). Mr. Rumford will sing " The Sands of Dec " (Clay),'"Siva Toole," and "Trot-tin' to tho Fair," a couple of old Irish folk songs , arranged by Dr. Villiers Stanford, and the, old Sicilian melody ■" Luck > in the Almond Blossom," by Maude Valerie Whyte. >

The management (Messrs. Tait) draw attention to the fact that a number of back and gallery seats for this concert will bo available at a •,reduced rate.