ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 128, 31 May 1907, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

THE BLACK-PREMYSLAV TOUR. * FIRST CONCERT AT THE TOWN HALL. A concert of unusual interest and excellence marked the opening of the New Zealand tour at tho Town Hall last night of what can fairly bo classified as an international musical combination. The contributor to the concert wore Mr. Andrew Black, tho \\elliknown British baritone vocalist, Mr. Leopold Premyslav, a young violinist from Poland, Miss Rosina Buckmann, a. New Zealand soprano, and Miss Bcssio "Bcattie, a young Australian pianisto. . The pity of it was that 'So small an attendance of patrons should have welcomed tho gifted musicians to the colony ; but there was no lr.ck of heartiness, appreciation, and enthusiasm on tho part of those who had tho "pleasure and privilege of being present last night. Tho only fault that could be found with" the programme was that it was over long, but this was mainly duo to tho numerous encores. Mr. Black and Miss Buckmann are no ■ strangers to Wellington, and both acquitted themselves well last night. The baritone's fine voice was in its best tone, and the variety of his songs fully displayed his vocal and declamatory powors. Mr. Black's contributions were Carissimi's robust "Vittoria, Vittoria," Schumann's "Two Grenadiers," Korbay's "Had a Horse," Handel's "0 Ruddier than tho Cherry," the j old Scottish song, "Kirkconnell Lea," 1 and Rossini's "Oia !a luna." Thcso j were 1 given in brackets of two, and J encoro items had to bo given on each !• appearance, -the extra numbers being "Turn -to. Me," ''The Land o' tho Leal," and "The Dear Girl." | Miss Buckmann's recent Australian j experience has given her more con- - fidonco, and her strong vocal organ was probably never heard to better ad,t, t vantage in Wellington than it was last ' evening. On her first appearance she • sang "Elizabeth's Prayer," from Wag- ' ncrs "Tannhauser" with the true dramatic instinct, her voice filling the - largo hall without apparent cflort on > tho singer's part. In the second part | of tho concert Miss Buckmann ronder- [ ed Batten's dainty "April Morn" with » such eil'opt that an extra number was [ demanded, "Tho Cuckoo" being the eni core item. I Miv Pvemyslav is making his first ' tour of tho colony, and he" proved himself On bis first appearance to be not , only one 'of the most gifted violinists i that has visited these shores, but a cul- > tured musician and an artist to the finger-tips, literally. Ho plays tho most elaborate and difficult compositions ■ from memory on an instrument that is - a delight in itself, tho iono being pure and sweet. His manipulation of the j violin is exceedingly clever, but there I is neither poso for effect nor hicks in "'• execution in' Mr". Premyslav's stylo. Ho J is; 1 without doubt, a master of his instrument, and an enthusiastic artist, ■ and his work on' the high notes is a delight and a revelation. His' first 1 contribution was Pagauini's lengthy con-* coito in D-major, given without, an offort. "A recall was his reward. On his second appearanco ho gavo a bracket of three items Beethoven's Romance in G-major, tho dainty Seventh pf Brahms's scries of Hungarian Dances, and Kies's eccentric "Peri pctuum Mobile,"' and an extra, number 1 had to be played in response to an , emphatic encore. A similar complimont was paid to player and audience • v^sbeUf in -the second pait of tho concert, Mr. Premyslav had given brilliant renderings of the Scslctte from Donizetti's "Liicia di Lammormoor" and Wioniawskfs "Airs Russes." Miss Bcattte, tho pianiste of the party, is also making her first tour of New Zealand. She was a clever accompanist, playing always -the truo subservient part, yet providing the necessary harmonious effects. As a soloist, Mis 3 | Beattic played with fine tone, with a j very graceful style, and powerful, yet i sansiti\'e» fingers. Her execution was clever, and she maclo very cnective use of tho pedals. Misa Beattio, who won tho approval and applause of her audience immediately, contributed Chopin's Scherzo in C-sharp Minor, Padcrewski's "Melodic," and Macdowell's "Witches' Dance," and was encored on each appearance. The second concert is to bo given to-morrow overling, and the company should receive a strong patronage.