ENTERTAINMENTS. ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 48, 25 August 1904, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS. ETC.

TIIE VISIT OF THE ENGLISH BASSO. MR. WATKIN . MILLS IN "ELIJAH."

Timo and tide, wo aro told, wait for no man, but they .sometimes hamper him ; and it so happened that tho distinguished English basso, Mr. Watkin Mills, found himself limited to just about, an hour and a quarter within which to effect a landing and proclaim, in his rolo of Elijah on his first appearance before a New Zealand audionco at tho Opera Houbo, that there should be no rain hi Israel. It was probably something of an accomplishment even for the great ba?so, and it would be scarcely fair under tho circumstances to expect the singer to appear at hia best. Yet the consequences of hating had to cut it so fine woro hardly percoptiblo, and the sonorous voico rolled through tho magnificent harmonics of the groat Mendelssohn work with hardly a trace of travol strain. Although' the oratorio is not especially remnrkabie for any M'ealth of solo work, there are in ita fine declamatory passages, responses, and arias opportunities for the use of the best of vocal gifta. Mr. Mills conchwivoljr proved at least two things : that ho is a pawt-niaster in tho art of vocal colouring and phrasing, ami that ho is the possessor of a voice of great ran go, easily and fluently developod and controlled. That ho has dramatic power was also evident from tho variety of expression used in illustrating the role ho had assumed, and his power of breath control is remarkable — it is he of whom it was said by a celebrated conductor, "ho takes his breath once a year, and that is on his birthday 1" His first pronounced effort wasin tho passago with the fcoprano.in which ho restores tho widow her son, and which he sang with a fine appreciation of tho text. Then later came the great contest with, the Priests of liiuxi, tho recitative and air containing the sublime prayer "Lord God of Abraham," and afterwards the firia "Is Not His Word Like Fire," with its difficult bravura — all interpreted with due warmth of vocal colour and feeling, and excellent judgment. Later, again, camo the great solo. "It is Enough," a glorious sample of perfect enunciation and devotional Appeal, which inspired an audionco which had up to that tune appeared unduly cold and responsive to some eh6w of enthusiasm as tho singer resumed his seat. All through the evening tho basso had shown an appreciation of his work which waa convincing, and amply sufficient to justify tho assumption Mutt an exceptional treat would be forthcoming at tms evening's entertainment, when Mr. Mills i« to bo heard in a song recital. Somo other outstanding features of last night's performance weao the concerted numbers, which for the most part were delivered by Mw>a Phoebe Parsons and Mrs. B. Wilson (soprani), Mrs. A. M. LewiH and Miss M. O'Donovwn (com. tralti), Rev. S. J. Handover and Mr. D. Jackson (tenori), and Mesere. F. V. Waters and H. S. Manning (boeci). The unaccompanied trio "Lift Thine Byes," by Masses Parsons and O'Donovan and Mrs. Wilson, was a particularly acceptable number. Miss Phoebo Parsons, who sang the soprano solos throughout, , accomplished excellent work, and her finest -effort of the evening was undoubtedly tho superb air "Hear ye, 0 Israel," in which the singer was inspired with tho spirit of the dramatic situation, and won d-cserved applause. Miss O'Donovan,' the contralto, whoso voico is swoet and pretty, scored her most pronounced success with xho lovely solo "0 Rest in the Lord," which, though it lacked the rich organ effects At the command of a great singer, was nevertheless a pleasing conteibution to the work of the evening. Tho tenor (Ror. Mr. Handover) appeared nervous when ho began his first solo, tho expressive melody "If With all Youi Hearts," but. his lat«r work was oopably dono within the limits of a naturally light voice. There is wonderful work in tho oratorio for tho chorus, and it may be said generally that the forces' of which Mr. Robert Parker, conductor of the Musical Union, had und?r his command acquitted themselves remarkably well. Thore was an occasional predominance of soprani, but it was not excessive, a-nd when the fuH choir got to work the results -were more than satisfactory. The orchestral performance was also mflrk*d for' its general' good taste, the mstrumentnlists only once in tho course of the whole porformanco appearing to outdo the vocalists. An exceptionally fine programme has been planned for tho miscellaneous recital this evening, when, in addition to the famous baseo (who will be hoard in selections from Gounod, Handel, Mendelssohn, Abt, and Schumann), Mons. Eduard Parlovitz, who is accompanying Mr. MiHn on his colonial tour, and is j spoken of as a pianist of high quality, will make his first appearance,' playing among other items tbo celebrated ."Moon- : light Sonata" of Beethoven. FULLER'S ENTERTAINERS. His Majesty's Theatre held a largo audience last night to' witness "Professor" Park«r boiug, bound, locked and interlocked with handcuffs, chains, etc., by Mr. W. Dolan, who had expressed his intention of securely binding the "Professor." From the appearance of "Professor" Parker before boing placed behind tho screen' it looked as if Mr. Dolan would fulfil his cballongc, but after a retirement of thirteen minutes "bbc Handcuff King" reappeared, carrying his manacles, quite free. He was loudly applauded. The vaudeville members or the company presented an ontortaining programme, Mr. Denis Carney being an | especial favourite. | THEATRE ROYAL. | The vaudeville entertainers at present forming tho personnel of the Dix Gaiety Company aro attracting large audiences at the Theatre Royal. The clever sketches of Mr, Fred Graham and Miss Nellie Dent and the novel figures of Mr. J. W. Winton, ventriloquist, wero particularly good last evening. Great interest centred in the cake-walk competition, which re- ! suited in Miss I. Foloy and Mr. Johnson | securing first place.