ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 133, 2 December 1910, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NORMAN-BLITZ CONCERT COMPANY. The two leading members of the Nor-man-Blitz Concert Company, which opened a brief season of two nights at the Opera House last evening, are the soprano, Miss Amy Murphy, and Mr. Walter Whyte, a dramatic tenor, who visited New, Zealand a few years since in light opera. The leading artists are well supported. The attendance last evening was hardly commensurate with the calibre of the company, which presented a quite entertaining programme, with a leaning towards the "popular concert" idea. Miss Murphy displayed her vocal agility in that lively polonaise from Thomas's "Mignon" — "I am Titania." She handled the trills, roulades, and staccato passages with confidence, and in response to an encore, gave a lullaby song : "Hush Thee, my Baby" — a number which, afforded a delightful contrast in its unaffected sumbrious melody. Miss Murphy's other items were : "Se Saran Rose," probably her most successful effort, and, as an encore, "Home, Sweet Home," "certainly the least convincing. The New Zealand cantatriee combined with the versatile Miss Nellie Black, in the. duet, "The Venetian Regatta" (Rossini)— full of colour and spiritedly interpreted. Miss Murphy and Mr. Whyte pleased the audience vastly with ihe familiar duet from "II Trovatore." Mr. Whyte possesses a ringing dramatic tenor voice which, obviously, has had excellent culture. At times his enunciation is a trifle "broad," and his head notes inclined to be nasal, but he compares more than favourably with some grand opera tenors Wellington has heard. His items were : "A Dream" (Bartlett), "Annie Laurie," and the oft-sung "Come into the Garden, Maud." The latter brought him a triply encore, and the singer responded with "My Sweetheart When a Boy," "Sally in our Alley," and "Take a Pair of Sparkling e yes" — the two latter to his own accompaniment. The old favourites were well treated. Miss Mabel Fowler, a Tasmanian. vocalist, sang Buzzi's "Good Night," and 'an encore number of equally sentimental nature. In* the second part her contribution was the ever present "Good-Bye" (Tosti), with "On the Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond" as an encore. Miss Fowler, so far, has not. sufficient confidence, and her somewhat peculiar, though undoubtedly sweet musical soprano, is not yet disciplined sufficiently. But she sings ballads artlessly and naturally, and her ringing middle register is good to hear. Her voice is worth attention. Miss Nellie Black displayed her versatility by conscientious violin solo, her pleasing singing, and her sympathetic accompaniments. Miss Edith Nevill sang "Robin Adair," and Mr. Louis Blitz contributed 'cello items, and was associated with Mr. Norman (pianist) and Miss Black (violinist), in an instrumental trio from the "Midsummer Night's Dream" (Mendelssohn). Mr. JNorman assisted in the accompaniments. A second (and last) concert will be given this evening. Miss Murphy will contribute the operatic scene "Ombra Legpera' from "Dinorah," "Mother o' }kk n f ( Tou , rs )> «nd Jenny Lind's Echo Song," and Mr. Walter Whyte will sing "When Other Lips" (Balfe), and "Mary of Argyle" (Burns). " MUSICAL UNION. BACH'S PASSION MUSIC. . Is Bach out of date ? The question is asked in all sincerity from -time to tune. Musicians give it an emphatic £r<L and £ et ' after list ening to the St. Matthew Passion Music last evening uf Siwstioii does not seem unreasonable. Detached portions of it have been occasionally heard in New Zealand, but not before has the whole of it (for ail practical purposes) been heard in this country at one time, as it was stated on the programme. In and about 1729 (the year of its first performance) audiences, or rather congregations, seriously devout, might have been found to listen with rapture -to the long and difficult recitatives the setting of the choral gems. Then every note, every word, would strike a chord in every listener. But the times have changed, and the people with them. Moreover the season for the Passion music is in Holy Week rather than in Advent, and the most fitting place in which to hear it is in a cathedral. This much may be said of the audience, that it was duly mindful of the solemnity of the subject, and accordingly refrained from ill-timed applause. The choral work from first to last was really admirable. It is, of course, the dominant feature of the work. The arias are few, though exceedingly beautiful; but they are primarily introduced in order that the listeners may think upon the events narrated in the Scripture. Certainly the performance of Mr. Parker's choral forces was memorable last night. There was abundant evidence of complete acquaintance ■with individual parts— the result of conscientious and intelligent rehearsal. All that the conductor had a right to expect from his choristers he obtained, and that promptly, spiritedly. The marks of expression were respected, the time was good, the tone excellent from beginning to end, whether in such fragments of choruses as "Lord, is it I?" or "Barabbas !" or in the stately unaccompanied chorale, "My Sin it was which Bound Thee." The fugual portions of the choruses were finely taken, and the magnificent effects ot the double chorus— "Lord, Though Awhile in Tears"— was a fitting conclusion is a notably fine performance. The very heavy work written for the 'Evangelist" was allotted to Dr. Kington Fyffe who was in better voice us the performance proceeded. There was a suggestion of a nasal tendency in the earlier stages; but Dr. Fyffe richly atoned for everything else by his intense sympathy, and also for his generally clear enunciation. At times, in' the third denial of Peter, for instance, he sang with dramatic power. Mr. C. Clarkson's interpretation of the words of Jesus was dignified and reverent, and was also conspicuous for the artistic use made of a fine voice, heard at its best in "My Soul is Exceeding Sorrowful." Messrs. F. V. Waters and F. W. Laycock capably sang the lesser solos. Miss Gladys Watkins (contralto) was admirable from the outset, so far as enunciation went, every word could be heard, and every note was correctly sung, but it was not till later in the evening that she declared her«elf to he a singer of sympathy and tender feeling as well as of eultuif and grace Miss May Driscoll (soprano) demonstvptod possession of a sweet, well-trained voice, although her enunciation was not flpnr — and «frer all the- words rank pari rassu with the music in a work Of tlm *ort under review. But Miss Driscoll sane otherwise exceedingly well. The orchestra (led by 'lUr. Bloy) consisted entirely of sliings. It acquitted itself all through in a thorough musicianly manner, and was well worthy of hearing for itself alone. Mr. A. " W. \ine (late organist Tewkesbnry Abbey) played the organ music incidental to tho "Passion," and Miss E. D. Carhemaille accompanied the lccitatives of the '-'Evangelist.-

THEATRE ROYAL. Mr. Godfrey Hunsley and Miss Nellie Florence made their first appearance at the Theatre Royal last evening in a dramatic entitled "A Father's Love." The piece shows how a young giil, during her father's absence at sea, is enticed away by a handsome foreigner. Eventually, however, the latter deserts her, and _ the girl, after undergoing severe trials, is forgiven by her father. Mr. Godfrey Hunsley played the part of Captain Somers in a convincing style, while Miss Nellie Florence as Lucy was excellent Other contributors to the programme were Beryl -Gilman, soprano ; George Dean, character vocalist; Harry Sadler, comedian; and M'Grath and Page, expert banjoists. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Attendances at the nightly display of pictures in His Majesty's Theatre continue to be undiminished. This speaks well for the quality of the films, of which a, very attractive is being at present shown. '-'Uncle Tom's Cabin" is a dramatic setting of the first order, while other films include: "The Great Lion Hunt, "Little Angels of Luck," and "The Stronger Sex. ' THE KING'S THEATRE. Judged by the applause of the large audience last evening, the current programme of West's Royal Pictures at The King's Theatre is a very popular one. Of a diversified and entertaining order, the list of films includes several star attractions in the shape of an exciting lion hunt in Africa, the launching of the mammoth liner Olympic, and "Uncle Tom's Cabin." STAR PICTURES. St. Thomas's Hall, N«wtown, was well filled last evening when an excellent programme was submitted. The films, which were all of "the best and latest kind, included dramatic, industrial, and comic subjects. The same bill will be repeated this evening, and the usual matinee will take place to-morrow afternoon. "THE BRIXTON BURGLARY." Mr. Fred. H. Graham, who made such popular successes of "San Toy," "A Runaway Girl," "The Belle of New York," "The Geisha," and " Florodora," for J. C. Williamson's Comic Opera Company, will commence his Wellington season at the Opera House to-morrow night, with his English Comedy Company, which includes some of the members of Oscar Asche's famous London and Australian company ; also Mrs. George Lauri and Miss Nellie Dent, both prominent members of J. C. Williamson's and the Julius Knight Companies. "Thfe Brixton Burglary "' is described as a very funny farcical comedy. The author, Fred. W. Sydney, has filled it with farcical situations and clever, snappy dialogue. The entertainment which was giyen in O'DonnelPs Hall, Kilbirnie. in aid of the Miramar, Seatoun, and Kilbirnie Boy Scouts was repeated last evening. The "Komik Koons" again appeared, and kept the audience amused for about half an hour. The Rocko Brothers were also successful in presenting the farce, " A Trip to Kai-wa-raa." Exhibitions of bugling, signalling, first aid, hut building, etc., were given by the Scouts, and physical drill by St. Anne's Cadets. Mr. J. B. Paton sang some Scotch songs and Mr. N. R. Stone, assisted by two young ladies, gave his original sketch, "* Two Nations, One Language, T\v|o. Flags," and "The Englishman." The Methodist Free Kindergarten will hold a "Play Festival" in the Town Hall on Saturday afternoon, 10th December, at '3< p.m. A special programme has been arranged for the concert to be given at the Missions to Seamen, this evening.