AN INTERESTING CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 247, 13 July 1921, Page 7

AN INTERESTING CONCERT

MR. REGINALD BLOW AND PUPILS.

The meteorological conditions were against Mr. Reginald Blow last evening, but they did not damp the enthusiasm of the many who attended, the concert he and his pupils gnvo in the Concert. Chamber. That Mr. Blow is doing sound, conscientious work in the training of young voices was evident from the selection he was able to make and from the cpt way the debutantes addressed themselves to the at times difficult tasks set. them. Outstanding among the performers was Miss Phyllis Massey, a very charming mezzo-soprano, whose tone is musical and full-boclied, whilst the voice is under good control. She elected to sing that rather difficult aria, "Softly Awakes My Heart," from Saint feaens s "Samson and Delilah,” which number showed her capacity to interpret with intelligence the vocal lure of the arch deceiver of Biblical note. It was, however, in the ballad "Break 0’ Day ’ (Sanderson) that she captivated the audience by the purity of her sunny tone, her freedom of style, and perfect security. Again Mis.s Massey was encored. Mr. Alastair Campbell is a basso of limited range with sound lower notes, _ but uncertain in pitch above tho middle register. He sang "Hybrias the Cretan and "/Friend 0’ Mine.” Mr. J. A. Stevenson, another basso, sang the air Bois Epais,” from “Amadis,” n gloomy song of hate, into which-,the singer infused considerable feeling. Mr. Stevenson showed brightness of spirit and vigour that will help him in his future studies. He sang “Come to the Fair” as an encore in good style. Another singer that should be heard of again was Miss M. Bacon, a light soprano, who was slightly < D’ er ' weighted in the Handel aria, Caro Selve” (from "Atalanta”), which is a severe test for the breath. She was much happier and more secure in "Happy Song” (del Riego) and "The Waters o fMinnetoka" (Lieurance). Mrs. S. Hempton showed some facility in "Carmena”. and Dvorak’s "Songs My Mother Taught Me." Mr. Reginald Blow, who was in good voice, sang artistically the Iwel.l-known "Eri Tu” aria from Verdi’s "Un Ballo in Maschero/ but his finest effort was the Prologiie from "I Pngliacci" (Leoncavallo), which he sin-'S with ripe artistry and commendable depth of feeling. His encores were “0 Western Wind" (Brahe) and The Rebel" (Wallace). Mr. Horace Hunt played with easy grace a Prelude, Study, and Scherzo of Chopin, and, as encores, Moussorgsky’s “Gopak” and John Ireland’s “Island Spell." Mr. Harold Whittled accompaniments were a foatiirs of tha concert.