DOLORES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1084, 24 March 1911, Page 6

DOLORES.

THE THIRD RECITAL.— The carnival of song continues at the Opera Hoiiso. Judging by the dimensions of last night' 9 audience, and the familiarity of the faces noticed .at-each of the recitals, there must" bo a' very fair proportion who would like it continued indefinitely, but that cannot be. Dolores, whose' iriiprovement on her first night's performance' is so marked, concludes her season in' Wellington this' evening. SomehowVor other' Dolores never opens a prograhime at hoi' best. There is always rti'ore than a suspicion of huskiness to faintly cloud the first' ten or twelve bars, but when this clears away her soiig takes on an added lustre. It was so last evening in Pnreell's rather laboured recitative, "Thy Hand, Belinda," and aria, "When I am Laid' in Earth," a' i>lbw, solemn song, without a ray of brightness to relieve the sombre air. with its long sustained notes and formally measured cadence. "Take, 0 Take Those Lips Away" (Wilson), an inconsequential air set to Shakespeare's words, ushered in the golden glow which colours so exquisitely >much of the- singer's work. It leapt into, life in _ Carey's charming "Pastoral," in which tho nymphs of Aready danced gleefully; and the voice melted into tender flutelike tones in'' "the emotional ecstasy reflected in Hook's roseate-hucd ditty, "0, Listen to the Voico of Love," a number that pleased the audience immensely. Greedy for more, there was clamour until the singer came forward once more to carol in liquid French tho "Allelujah" air from Massinet's' "Xc Cid." Lovers of oli opera were agog with expectation on , noting Bellini's "Casta Diva" (from the opera "Norma") on the programme! "The old incomparable air, rich with the faint fragrance of lavender and old lace, was magnificently sung. The bold recitative was intoned with fine breadth that displayed the solid texture of the voice, which rang clear and belllike in the cascade of brilliant melody that'followed. The aria, sung with the happiest abandon and vocal finish, earned a storm of applause. As an encore, Dolores sang "The Lass with the Delicate Air" (Arne), with inimitable witchery and grace. To hear Mademoiselle sin? this song is to have the knowledge forced upon one that here' at least was perfection in the art' of 1 song. The artist's' next essay was Liszt's "0 Quand de Dors," a stately measure of appealing breadth and meaning, sung wit hcompelling' fervour. Fallowing this came the gem of the programme, <i "Berceuse" bv Tschaikowsky, an exquisitely written cradle song, breathing the tenderest sentiments to the most southing of melodies. Following tho applause camo the Tschaikowsky romance, "Toujour's a toi," a soiig full of life and colour, well known and admired by lovers of the Russian-composer. Tho inevitable luSnuj, .wiHOK ' C,n sfcnos sua O.ioduo Me" (Dvorak).. Still the good things co.iiic. Mademoiselle, untired by her remarkable 'vocal achievements—tho programme was an especially good one— burst into the showy recitative and aria. "J a»r Titania," from Thomas's "Jlignon." Vocally this was the niece do resistance of the evening ,and in it Mademoiselle gave full rein to her fine voice, which absolutely revelled in the elaborate cadenzas and trills, which abound in the delightfully tuneful aria.' Dolores's artisTic treatment of tho old number evoked an ovatiou, and once more she had to respond, this time with _ a quaint old song, "Wandering Willis" (old Scotch). Finally the artist sang two of Taubert's charming songs, "Blaues Sternlein" and "Der Vogcl im Walde," to which had to be appended Ajibcr's celebrated "Laughing Song," which Mademoiselle interpreted with irresistible humour, and a musical laugh which set the audience rippling with laughter. Mr. .Tohn Frouse, who was in notably good voice, gave a very sound interpretation of Schuniann's fine song, "I Will Not Grieve," in German, the same composer's "Two Grenadiers," "Thou'rt Passing Hence" (Sullivan), and as an encore "My Fairest Child" (Alfred Hill). Another encore song, and a very beautiful one. was "My Love's an Arbutus," sung particularly well. Mr. - Selwyn Shrimplin. who nlays interestingly, if not with individualistic distinction, ulayed a "Barcarolle," by Tschaikowsky, and "Anitra's Dance." a protesquelv melodious movement from Grieg's "Peer Gynt" suite. He was accorded an encore. At to-night's concert Dolores will include in her contributions Passitllo's recitative "Ehi lo Trepiede," and aria, "Chi vuol la Zingarella, Gluck's Saus un Ormeau." Handel's "I Know that my Redeemer Liveth." and the "Ah Fors e Lui" aria from Verdi's opera "La Traviala." Mr. John Prouse will sing songs bv Korbay and Massenet, and Mr. Shrimplin will play a nocturne and waltz Chopin.