MADAME OTLEE’S PUPILS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 57, 1 December 1923, Page 8

MADAME OTLEE’S PUPILS

AN INVITATION RECITAL. Madame Josephine Otlee’s pupils gave an invitation recital at the Concert Chamber last eveJiing. Generally speaking the approach of the pupil to the work in hand was commendably correct, even 'though there were evidences of ‘'flattening" here and there, unmistakably due to nervous tension, and on several occasions the choice of song was scarcely in keeping with the pupil’s capacity. Such, for example, was the case with Mr. Irwin Jones, who vaulted at “Thy Tiny Hand is Frozen," from the first act of Puccini’s “La Boheiue., This is not. nor is any of Puccini s music, suitable to any but very advanced pupils, so material is interpretation wedded to the mere singing of the notes. The beautiful “Bapphic_ Ode” of Brahms, sung by Miss Hilda Nicholls waa scarcely within, tho singer s capacity, or the Arensky rhapsody, “My Arms Did but Lately Enfold Her.” attempted by Mr. Eric Rishworth. There is the makings of a spirited dramatic contralto in Miss Aileen Noble, who has some splendidly resonant notes, and whoso apostrophe, “Arise, O Sun,” was really well sung. “Azael’s Aria” from Dobtissy’s “L’Enfant Prod'igue, a difficult and soulful number, was also commendably sung. There is the promise of an exceedingly good tenor in Mr. 11. W. Swain, who sang in excellent style “Onaway Awake" (Cowen). His voice is free, musical, and of good breadth of tone—and 'he uses it correctly. this young man has only to work to become a very useful tenor—and they are so rare! Mr, Oriel Morris, another tenor, also sings artistically, but his voice last evening was "woolly.” A likely light, baritone is Mr. A. R. Teeling, who though timid in tone, showed rare sympathy in Bormberg’s “Arab Song.” Miss Maud Elderton has all tho confidence and a good deal of the finish of a singer well used to the platform. She sang the Gounod aria, “Far Greater than His Lowly State,” with a brilliance which earned, immediate recognition. She was also associated with Mr. Moms in the duet. “Now Thou Art Mine” (Hil.dach). Other performers were Misses Pose Lee M. and N. Thomson (who contributed ' a pretty duet), Joan Bevan, Constance Berrill. Aika Nicol, Mcsdamcs Alexander, and F. G. Davies, and Messrs. A. Campbell, A. M. Dunkley, and Staple. Miss Eileen Joyce and Madame Otlee were the accompanists. Most of the lady singers received floral tributes from tlieir friends on the other side of the palm pots.