THE MALLINSONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 475, 6 April 1909, Page 6

THE MALLINSONS.

AT A CHAMBER CONCERT. It was a happy, inspiration which prompted Mr. Maughan Barnett, Herr Max Hoppe, and Mr. John Prouse, to arrange for the inclusion of Mr. and Mrs. Mallinson in the programme for their second chamber concert, which was given in the Concert Room, Town Hall, last evening. It was a charming concert —a Mallinson evening, in fact, for with tho exception of two concerted items by Messrs. Maughan Barnett (piano), Max Hoppo (violin), and F. R. Johustoiio ('cello), tho programme consisted of Albert Mallinson's songs, some of which were sung by Mrs. Mallinson, and others by Mr. John l'rouse. Mrs. Mallinson sang two series; the first opened with tho impassioned lovo song—"Botschaft Lied" ("Tho Message and tho Song"); then camo "The Rosebud," a graceful songlet, a inero fragment of melody, almost.' A fine song—"Thick in the Darkness"—camo next, instinct with tho spirit of hope and valiant effort. "To An Jslo in the Water," a piquant little song, very daintily sung, followed, and was succeeded by "Beautiful Beatrice," a characteristic air, the opening verse being set to an imposing theme, in sharp contrast to a tender and graceful air, and finally concluding ' with a reversion to the opening stanza. "Mother Mine," a dainty sentiment, in musical sotting of tho kind that Mallinson is a master of, concluded tho series. Of theso, "Beautiful Beatrico," and "Mother Mine," were repeated. Later, Mrs. Malliuson sang, "Bed in Summer," " "I'was in the Golden Spring," "Slow, Horses, Slow," "A Blood-Red Ring," "Four by the Clock," and "Gloriana." Of Mrs. Mallmson's singing, much has already been said. Both she dud her husband havo endeared themselves to Wellington concertgoers by the charm of their song recitals, their engaging personalities, and the rare merit of their accomplishments, and their reappearance on the concert platform was marked by a cordial demonstration of welcome. Mr. John Prouse was in very fine voice, and was most happy in his selection of tho "Canadian Hunter's Song," an inspiring air; "Pastime," a richly coloured and intensely dramatic composition, distinctly one of tho finest songs in the Mallinson collection; the Sappho song, "Spirit of Love" (an extra), and "The Song of tho Torrent" (Mallinson's first composition—lßSs). "Tho Woman and the Horse," and "Early Snow" (his other numbers), were, in a sense, more fragile in structure, and hardly so well suited to him, although sung most carefully and expressively. Tho concerted items, for piano, violin and 'cello, were tho "allegro" movement of Rheinberger's Opus 112, and the Arensky. elogia and finale, "Trio in D Minor"; both wero played with care and expression. The next "Mallinson" evening will bo given in the Concert Room to-morrow, and as our visitors leave for Europe, via Australia, this week, this will be tho last opportunity of hearing the songs of Albert Mnllinson, as interpreted by his talented wife.