MISS OSBORN’S RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 151, 23 March 1925, Page 7

MISS OSBORN’S RECITAL

A DELIGHTFUL PERFORMANCE. There is no greater pleasure in the world of music than io sit back and give oneself up uni'eeervedly to the charm and varied appeal of a voice conspicuous tor the penetrating jclaiity of its tone, the ineffable sweetness of its expression, and characterised by an accomplishment of technique whicn renders it fully capable of meeting all the demands which the claims of an extensive repertoire exact. It was an experience such as this that a large and appreciative audience enjoyed on Saturday evening, wheu Miss Ethel Osborn gave a recital in the town Hall, it being the first of her two appearances in tho city prior to leaving this country for Europe. Miss Osborn is assuredly a great artist, and after her noteworthy contributions on Saturday night to a delightful programme, one carried away recollections of a vocaJ effort polished in its execution, consummately finished in its presentation l , and replete with a tunefulness and melodiousness in response to which neither the taste could grow jaded or the ear become wearied. Tho majority of Miss Usborn’s selections were choice, homely arias, towards the interpretation of whicn. she imparted all the emotional and expressive qualities of which she has such phenomenal command. Her rendering of "The Wren” (Benedict) with flute obbligato by Signor 'i'ruda, brought out the full beauty ot the joyousness and animation which underlies this pretty ode to the spirit of song—spring, youth, and love. As an encore to this she gave "The Wounded (Birch" Rinisky-KorsaKoti) with a fine sense of pathos and. feeling, and her earlier piece, "Rend 11 Sereno (Handel) in the Italian version, was exceedingly sweet. “An Eastern Romance was given all the doleful charm which RimsKy-Korsakott intended when came from his pen, and "Dream Merchandise, Granville Bantock’s beautnully-worded composition* was made all the more acceptable by ths way in. which it was siwmitled. But it was in Rubenstein s “I Feel Thy Breath Blow Round Me that Miss Osborn rose to greatest heights. In the four lines ot this song Rubenstein concentrated aa amalgam of amorous emotionalism rarely equalled, and Miss Osborn’s presentation of accentuated the passionate, yearning spirit of the text with a subtle artistry that was rming to listen to To insistent demands for an encore she g ava B Bird," and this met with such a reception that she sang B \ l . t , t ® r p C ' s ’ selections being given with fine Me t. Miss Osborn’s treatment oi RBbnava nel Silenzio. from Donizetti s “Lucia di Lammermoor, was a most commendable performance, and lier < tno of songs, "Grey Clouds Little Men” (Jalowicz), and Ihe Dove provided further conclusive proof ot tne extraordinary range and quality of Miss Osborn’s vocal attainments. ”4th a colloquial Intonation that would have aroused enthusiasm at any point beyond the Tweed she also gave “There s ?sae Luck Aboot the Hoos," and her concluding item was a bewitching little ballad of Australian bird life. During the evening Miss Osborn was supported by Mr, Tom Williams, who submitted on the violin the First Movement from Grieg’s Sonata, "Guitarre" (Moszkowski). "Ohertass" (Wieniawski), “The Swan" (Saint-Saens), 'and "Hejrc Kati” (Hubay) with admirable polish and sensitive phrasing. Mr. W. R. Hunter sang "Youth” and "Mother o’ Mine’; his baritone possesses the requisite volume, but his delivery was somewhat forced and his top notes rather laboured. Madame Marie Borman proved to be a most sympathetic accompanist, and her playing of Chopin’s "Prelude, Op. 28, No. 30." Bach’s "Solfeggietio,” and the "Raindrop Prelude” (Chopin) established. her as an erudite and gifted pianist. Miss Oslmrn will give her second recital in the Town Hall this evening.

THE NEW AMBASSADOR. A special programme has been arranged at the cabaret for Race Week. During the afternoon specially selected evening frocks will Ire displayed and should be of special interest now the dancing season is approaching. There will be dancing every evening ,from Wednesday until Saturday, while on Thursday, race night, the cabaret will be open until 1 a.m. are advised to book their tabl» '"w. TelephoJM 1636.