GERTRUDE JOHNSON CONCERT

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 23, 27 July 1920, Page 3

GERTRUDE JOHNSON CONCERT

Mis Gertrude Johnson, operatic soprano, made her first appearanoe in Wellington on the concert platform at the Town Hall last evening. She made a profound impression on a large and most appreciative audience. This was all the moT© to her credit and to those associated, with her, for the atmosphere of the hali resembled that of an icehouse. There is no doubt that temperature makes a difference in the case of audiences and artists, so that Miss Johnson's success was all the greater last evening.

Her first number was 'Loreley" (Liszt) given with great dramatic and descriptive force, and then, by way- of contrast, she sang "Down in the Forest (Landon Ronald), and then followed "Songs My Mother Taught Me" (Dvorak) and "Solveig's Song" (Grieg). Again, by way of contrast, "The Lass With the Delicate Air," and finally the great mad scene from "Lucia-," and "Lo! Here the Gentle Lark." Here were numbeTs calling for a variety of treat-, ment, and all were sung well for an exacting demand upon the versatility of any artist of repute. Mis 9 Johnson was fully equal to them all, but, if anything, was more impressive in. numbers that lent themselves to dramatic treatment. She needs but little introduction, however, for her achievement as Lucia in the grand opera of that nanie is still pleasantly remembered by those who heard her when it was last performed here. Her voice easily filled the hall, last night. She selected several numbers which readily lent themselves to her display of fiorituri, in which she is quite adept. Chromatic intricacies, especially in 'The Lark" and in. the "Lucia" number, she made light of, and the great cadenza in the latter vas a fine piece of artistry of its kind. Mien Johnson, in short, was a complete success.

Mr. Horace Hunt proved himself to be a brilliant player of Chopin, his numbers being Study in F (op. 25, No. 3), and Scherzo in B flat minor. .^Thesa were preceded by a- nocturn of Liszt, of which the subject was his first part— the "sad" part—of Schubert's 6ong, "Tha Wanderer." Several numbers of Debussy (ai quaint bizarre negro item was one), and of MadDowell were also played, and with distinction. One of the surprises of the evening was the playing with the left' hand only of a study by Scriabine, which evolved a perfect furore of applause. Miss_ Ava Symon's, a richly gifted and charming young violinist, played the pathetio "Londonderry Air" of O'Connor Morris, more appealing perhaps, than her Wieniawski and-Elman numbers. She plays simply, ably, and with no trace .of affectation, and she manages to produce if not an overwhelming at any rate a particularly feweet. tone. Miss Symons has that which is perhaps of even more value than great technical skill, a way of appealing at cjice to her hearers.

Some exquisite playing was contributed by Mr. Charles. Russell, flautist. At times in the lower register he secured almost trumpet-like effects. "Gipsy Revels" (Edward German) was noteworthy for these. His work in the obligatos to "Lucia" and "The Lark" wa3 superb. ■Mr. Eric Waters was a most capable and helpful accompanist.

The programme this evening will include : "Caro Nome," "With Verdure Clad," and "Chaimant Oiseau" from 'La Pei'le de Bresil" by Miss Johnson; Debussy and Chopin numbers by Mr. Hlunit; and Kreisler and Wo'eniawski numbers by Miss Symons.