THE COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1271, 28 October 1911, Page 13

THE COMPETITIONS.

VOCAL, INSTRUMENTAL, AND ELOCUTIONARY. THIRD DAY'S RESULTS. As tlio Now Zealand Competitions Society's carnival proceeds, tho interest quickens. Thero is always a lively interest in competitions whore thcro are good fields and no favour, and whan such interesting phases of art as singing, instrunicntalisatiou, and elocution aro concerned, thero is a roady-mado public to cheer on tho contestants. A good fcaturo of tho competitions in Wollington is tho patient licaring given to an —no matter how gocd or how bad they are, tho audiences sit quiet and attentive until tho end, and then give vent to their feelings. Their applause is a good general indication as to the merits of the performance, and so far there have been few occasions when tho measure of applause lias not coincided with the opinion of tho judges. There are differences of opinion always in respect to some of the judgments given, but in such cases judges are always ready enough to give Iho why and wherefor of their decisions. In one case, however, a competitor, who had not competed during the day, was admitted to the final test in the evening, and managed to secure a prize. Though no formal protest was entered, some of the competitors have expressed themsehefl in terms of strong disapproval. This matter was quite satisfactorily explained by the judge (Mr. C. N. Baeycrtz) last evening, who in referring to tho fino "sporting" spirit which pervaded tho competitions, referred to the case of Miss Gardner. That lady had only arrived from Dunedin in the morning, and having been unwell on tho trip did not put in an appearance during tho day, bnt tho others who had been recalled in tho same class had generously allowed her to compote in the evening. The same privilege had been extended to Mr. Blandford in another clas3. Yesterday's competitions included the Shakespearean recital (for gentlemen), sight-reading piano solo, mandolin and guitar duct (only ono entry), musical monologue (gentlemen), mezzo-soprano solo, vocal sight-reading test, voenl solo tests for girls and, bovs under 15 years. Tho following are the results:— SHAKESPEAREAN RECITAL (GENTLEMEN). Shakespearean Recital (Gentlemen)— Test Piece, "Queen Jiab," from "Komco and Juliet." First prize, .£2; second prize, £1; third prize, certificate.—EntrantsErnest Victor Slyfield (Dunedin), James Nicholl (Wellington), Samuel H. Osborn (Dunedin), James S. Bell (Lower Hutt), M. O'Kano (Wellington), Francis Gardner (Auckland), Kenneth E. Shorney (Wellington), David Budge (Dunedin), Henry Breakspears (Wellington), Marcus St. John (Mnstorton), Francis Picot (Wellington), Charles It. Kirk (Napier), Frank do J. Robin (Wellington), J. V. Blandford (Wellington), Claud Smith (Wellington), Ernest G. Peek (Wellington), Chris D. Mill (Wellington), John Withers (Wellington), Edmund R. Wilson (Masterton), Peter Alexander Devereux (Dunedin), S. G. August (Invercargill). Selected for final test —E. V. Slyfield, S. H. Osborn, Francis Picot, and P. A. Devereux. Final Test—Frank Blandford, Wellington, 1 (ltd marks out of 200); S. H. Osborn, Dunedin, 2 (112 marks); P, Devereux, Dunedin, 3 (109 marks). This class, said Mr. C. N. Bacyertz, was rather disappointing. Tho competitors for'tho most part lacked the lightness, delicacy, subtlety, and whimsicality of the speech. They v.ero all inclined to bo too heavy, stodgy, and turgid. Aftor nominating tho prize-winners lie said that Jfessrs. Shorney and Picot had good accent, and would give a better account of themselves when they had acquired moro technique and experience. PIANO SOLO (SIGHT-READING). Piano Solo—Sight-reading (under 16). First prizo, silver medal; second prize, bronze medal; third prize, certificate.— Entrants-Eglantine Fay Rayward (Wei- j liiigtbn);' Harnish Donaldson ■ (Petone), ' l'lorcnco Rosaline Dodds (Wellington), Winifred Shcarsby (Wanganui), Monde- i lino Mary Hooker (llawera), Marjorie : Huia Shepherd (Wellington), A. P. Bri- ' nsco (Napier), Pearl Kcan (Wellington), i Eva Doris M'Kenzie (Dannovirke), Mat- : thew Tarrant Dixon (Wellington), Agnes ' Maud Luckius (Wellington), Leopold Ldwardvon Keisenberg (Master-ton). In this section tho winners were declared outright as follow:—Eglantino F Rayward (Wellington), 1 (02 marks); Mar]ono H. Shepherd (Wellington), 2 (00 marks); Winifred Shearsby (Wanganui),

As tho possible marks arc 200, the sightronders wcro not found to bo very proficient. _ The test piece was Stavenhagen's Caprice, a composition now to New Zealand. In commenting on this class, Mr. Gregson said that the piece selected for competition was in a minor key, and some of tho competitors had made tho mistako of commencing it in the major. Ono young lady commenced in the major key, and did not discover her mistake until the last bar. One could sympathise with her on imagining her horror when she discovered her mistake. MANDOLIN AND GUITAR DUET. There was only one entry in this class, that of Miss and Mr. Sparks, who wore awarded a prize. With reference to this competition, Mr. Gregsoa said that, as there was only ono entry, he had been instructed by tho committee to hear tho duet, and award a hrst, second, or third prize, as lie saw fit. Ho bad awarded them the first prize, which was woll deserved. There wore- a few mistakes in tho guitar accompaniment, and a little more light and Elude would have been an improvement. MUSICAL MONOLOGUE (GENTLEMEN). Musical Monologue (gentlemen), own selection. Dramatic or pathetic, not humorous First prize, £•>; second prize •El; third prize, ccrtificate.-Entrnnts-E. Y. Mills (Wellington), "Devil May Care"; J C. Bell (Lower Hutt), "In the K lower at Jhansi"; G. C. Warren (Wellington), "Devil May Care"; S II Osborn (Dunedin), "An Old Bachelor"; °; D - ls F, n ( Hasti >iS6), "The Soliloquy' of an Old Piano"; C. H. Gray (Potoilc), "Christmas Bells"; Marcus St. John (Masterton), "The Last Token"; W. J Jackson (Masterton), "In the Land of Might Have Been"; F. S. Gardner (Aucka.ndV,.« Only Knew"; Stanley Rankin (Wellington), "Twenty Gallons of Sleep ; lrank Blandford (Wellington) Christmas Bells"; Claud Smith (Wellington), "My Cane-bottomed Chair' 1 ■ E R. Wilson (Masterton), "Devil Mav Care"; "My Pal Tim"j Mr. P. A. De£ ereux, Dunedm, "Devil May Care." Selected for final test—Messrs ' S H Osborn, S. Rankin, Frank Blandford, and P. A. Devereux. Final test—Frank Blandford, Wellington, 1 (154 marks out of 200); S H Osborn, Dunedin 2 (147 marks); S. Rankin, Wellington, 3 (142 marks). Mr. Baeycrtz, in commenting on this class, said that many of tho competitors did not understand > the art of talking to a piano. They often commenced in a dinerent key altogether, and tho result was that one person was playing the piano and the other was reciting Wrn was no relation between tho two, as there should be If it Iml been simply" recitation Mr. Osborno would have won easily. His manner was almost ideal, bat ho did not blend with the accompaniment. The winner, Mr. Blandford accompanied himself excellently, and 'that without forcing the key, ns'mnny are so apt to do. Iho sentiment of his selection was a little tnto and tawdry.

MEZZO-SOPRANO SOLO. t ¥°.f f„„ So ,P rano Solo-Tost Piece, "Too Late (Ischaifcowsky). First prize £">• second prize .SI; third prize, certificate! -intrants-Gladys Sybil Palmer (Christchurch), Isabel Grant (Chri.stchurch), M. Knight (Auckland), S. Swootman Hastings), E. Cameron (Wellington), F J Pacey (Dunedin), Doris M. Tennent (Welling on , Vera C. Edwards (Alaslerton). Selected for final test-Misses F J Pacey M. Knight, Isabel Grant, and Dons lenuent.

Ji p tost 7^ llss °, s . , Kn, R ,lt (Auckland) and Paony (Dunodiri), 1 (MO marks) Mis«s lennont (\Vellin B lon) and Grant (Clinstchurcli), 2 (121 marks). Plus contest, Mr. Bacycrtz remarked, had produced soma Tory excellent readings indeed-very interesting, very temperamental. One of the first two vnunc ladies was a mezzo-contralto, rather than mezzo-soprano. Her effort was a verv pod ono, So ho had bracketed them together. Misa .Tenncnt had given a r>

fuiod and elegant reading of the song, but alio had a very small voice, lie had bracketed her equal with Mips Grant. \'OCAL SOLO (Sight Beading). Vocal Solo—sight reading, any age. First prize, £1 10s.; second prize, 15s. j third prize, certificate— Entrants—lt. H. Dellow (Auckland), Mrs. C. T. lteid (Kilbirnie), F. V. Blandford (Wellington), B. V. B. L. Iteado (.Melrose), \V. E. Saunders (Lower Hutt), H. ¥. Green (Masterton), 0. E. Farrow (Auckland), Vera C, Edwards (Masterton). Selected for final test-Mrs. C. T. Hcid, R. 11. Dellow, and 0. E. Farrow. Final tost-Mra. C. T. Reid (Kilbirnie), 1; 0. E. Farrow (Auckland), 2; E. 11. Dellow (Auckland), 3. VOCAL SOLO (Girls Under 15). Song (girls under 15>—Test piece, "New Tear's Song," af.iilin.sou. l'iret prize, silver medal; second prize, bronzo medal; third prize, certific.ito. Entrants—E. A. Joss (tnvercargill), Dorothy Mona Castle (Wellington), Eunice Wyatt (Wellington), Marjory Jones (YogeUown). Winner—Eunice Wyatt. This little girl, who sang ojain last evening, sang very prettily. She was a little husky in the higher register, duo perhaps to nervousness, but sang with intelligence and childish charm. Her voice would bo heard to better advantage in a smaller hall. VOCAL SOLO (Boys Under 15). Song (boys under 15) —Test piece, "Three for Jack" Squire, Chappel. First prizo, siiycr modal; second prize, bronze medal; third prize, certificate. Entrauts—George Sivrtip (Fahiatun), Leonard Maxwell Shearer (Island Bay), Gilbert Bealo (Wellington). Winner—Leonard Shearer. This lad gavo quite a bright and attractive reading of tho song. His voice is clear and resonant, and could bo heard all orer tho big hall. IN THE EYENING. "QUEEN MAB" AND MONOLOGUES. Quito an interesting programme for last evening aroso out of yesterday's competitions. To lovers of tho higher drama the chief item of interest was that supplied by the competitors for the Shakespearean recital—the famous "Queen Jlab" speech delivered by Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet." It was very evident from the outset that few of tho performers had witnessed a professional performance of Shakespeare's tragic romance, or, if they had, had failed to profit by tho lesson. Shakospeare, being a master of dramatic technique, _ conceived that it would ho well to lighten the opening scenes of "Romeo and Juliet" in order to throw tho impending tragedy into sharper relief, and so he makes Mercutio, Romeo's dearest friend, a bright, whimsical, witty buck of tho period, and withal a man of imagination. This is so obvious that it is difficult to imagino him otherwise. Why, he even jokes as his soul passes away, thrust into oternity by tho fiery Tybatt's hasty blade. Yet some of the competitors delivered the airy "Queen ifab" speech as if it were a soliloquy, and not ouo of them realised the delicious comedy of the lines, which are usually delivered to tho accompaniment of hearty laughter from both Benvolio and Romeo. Mr. Picot had tho brightest conception of those who recited last evening, and induced the most laughter, but his style was immature, and lie was less subtle than tho winner, who suggested his points not without a certain naive humour. Mr. Osbom was altogether too staid and heavy, and Mr. Slyheld made too mauy slips to ho taken into account. Tho musical mouologuo competition was interesting. Many will disagree with the judge's decision in this class, which should in our opinion have gone to the second prize-winner, Mr. Osbom, who gave a capital reading of tho monologue, "An Old Bachelor," so well done some years ago by Mr. Leslie Harris. Mr. lilandford's effort was a good one, and ho accompanies himself with tho nicest taste. Air. Rankin drawled overmuch, and has a bad habit of adding an extra syllable to the word at tho end of a phraso after tho manner of tho old tragedians. The singing of Miss Florenco l'aooy and Miss Madeline Knight—tho winners of tho mezzo-soprano competition —was quite good. More should bo heard of both theso young ladies. . The programme concluded with a dramatic sketch [a song without words) entitled "The Wedding Anniversary," creditably acted in pantomimo by Miss- Zoe Hartley and Mr. F. Forking, of Auckland. This was "ollowed by the sketch "Tho Suffragette," i comic interlude acceptably enacted by Misses M. Jamicson, 1. Alsop, and li. M'Duff.

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. Another highly interesting programme, has been arranged lor to-day. Tho competitions will bo aa follow:— At 9 a.m.—Drainatic recital (ladies). Test piece, "An Incident in tho French Citrnp" (Robert Browning). At 9-30 a.m.—Piano concerto, two performers (open to ali). Test piece, "Concerto in D Minor" (Mendelssohn). At 11.30 a.m.—Recitation (boys under 11). Test piece, 'Tily Shadow." At noon.—Recitation (boys under 16). Test piece, "Admirals All" (Henry Ncwoolt). At 2 p.m.—Contralto solo. Test piece, "Oho Faro" from Gluck's "Orphco." At 3.30 p.m.—Tenor solo (sacred). Test piece, "lie Thou Faithful Llnto Death," from Mendelssohn's oratorio, "St. Paul." At 5 p.m.—Duet (ladies). Test piece, "The Land of Joy" (Maughan Baruett). Tho pick of the performers in the above competitions will be heard at this evening's concert, in addition to which tho Eastbourne Amateur Dramatic Society viill appear in tho farce "lei on le Parlo I'rancais," and the sictch "Very Much Aliko" will be played by Misses Johnston Russell and Mr. 0. Smith.