MISS THELMA PETERSEN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1230, 12 September 1911, Page 5

MISS THELMA PETERSEN.

A SUCCESSFUL CONCERT. Whatever Fato may decree for Miso Thelma Petersen, the young contralto, who is making a bold bid for lame, she could not bo otherwise than gratified at tho generous support accordei her at tho Concert Chamber last evening. Xo soy... that there was not a scat to spare would be under-estimating the number present,, as there jiiugl: havo been at least a couplo of hundred who could not obtain scats and had to content themselves with standing at tho back and in the doorways of tho hall. Among those pre.vmt were Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and party, and Mr. and Mrs. Guiso (from ■ Government House). It is Miss Petersen's desiro to' realiso sufficient funds to enable her to . undergo a course of, tuition in tho Old World, presumably to fit her for a pro-! fessional career. Miss Petersen has a very nico contralto voice indeed, musical and healthy in quality, yet somewhat dis- ' proportionate in tonal strength,. which may or may not bo duo to faulty production. On some notes her sound emission almost fails, while tho next moment sho is surprising with tho great round tones of a fully-mat mod contralto—clear and sweetly sympathetic to tho ear. At tho opening of "Otnbra Mai Fu" (Handel's "Largo") tho word "Fu" was shaped by the lips, which only gave the suggestion of tho note. In her opening song, "Ashoo at Her Lattice," one of WoouI fordo Findon's Indiai love lyrics, Miss Petersen suggested the lazy languor of (ho East capitally, but sacrificed her enunciation in doing so. Her top register is excellent, and if she can develop the same quality in the middle and lower register without straining for tho big tone (which robs ho many good contralto voices of their music), Miss Petersen may develop into a most acceptable concert artist. Sho also sang Brahms' "Still is the Night" creditably, and a brirjht little song, as an encore to tho Handel number, with delightful archness. Indeed, sho was at her best in this song. The composition of the rest, of the programme was rather odd. The concert opened quietly with a pianoforte solo, Arensky's "Intermezzo," by M r - Eric Water's, who is a skilled executant, with musician],v ideas. Mr. J. F. Carr's pleasantly sympathetic tenor was heard l:o advantage in Braun's pretty songlct, "Ever so Far Away," jVIT-aixMol's "Out of tho Darkness," and later in Raff's "Serenade" and a poetical "lJef|uiom" by Sydney Homer. Miss Rasson has a pleasing voice, but hardly the lyric quality for' Denza's "Serenade in Summer," and tho twinklo of comedy was missed in "Vainka's Song" (Whishaw)., Mrs. Sutclift'e, who is a favourite reciter, cleverly characterised (he humorous trifle, "In tlio Beginninc," a Parisian version of tlio Garden of Eden incident, ami was encored. Mr. Le;» Bwckeridge sang "Tho Windmill," and Mr. C. Clarkson sang Slater's setting of "From Oberon in Fairyland" with robust force, entirely overlooking the elfish fun that permeates the words, Mr. Herbert Bloy played Wioninwski's "Romance" delightfully, and was encored, an honour which was also accorded to Mr. Horaco Hunt for his pianoforte solo, Grieg's "IXmse dp Naihs." Mr. B. Gardiner's whistling was n sheer delight, -v"' Die duologue, "The Reason Why" (Mr. Barry Bain), by M:ss Hardinge-Mali!"' and Jlr. Walter Gorliam, was highly appreciated. During tho interval Sir .Toscph Ward made a few remarks a wilt Miss Petersen and her ambition, and asked (lies? interested to give her all (he assistance that Iny in their power,