MISS PHYLLIS LETT

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 35, 11 February 1927, Page 11

MISS PHYLLIS LETT

SUCCESSFUL THIRD CONCERT Another big reception was given to Miss Phyllis Lett, the famous English contralto, who gave her third recital at the Town Hall last night. Her's is a true contralto voice, warm, rich, and full in the lower register, and beautifully rounded in the upper notes. But ■ apart from her -wonderful voice, Mi&s Lett is a consummate artist with a real sense of the dramatic, and her personality adds interest to every item. Her big numbers last night -were "Agnus Dei," written -by- Bizet, and the aria "Softly Awakes My Heart," from Samt-Saen V "Samson .and. Delilah." The devout' atmosphere" of the former number seemed to be " inspired, and the playing of Mr. Maurice Beslej (the accompanist), Mr. Bernard Page (or--ganist), and Miss Mar'got Macgibbon (violinist),, was beautifully sympathetic and the sweeping legato passages were made majestic. The aria rose to dominating heights. ' [ There were delightful little staccato passages and merry runs in "Chansondu Tambourineur" (old French) and "Tho ■ Second Minuet". (Maurice Besley). Charming Celtic sentiment in ; Maurice. Besley'b arrangement of the old..:lrish song, "Dreaming-of Home", and other gems on the programme were "J'ai pleure en reve.V (George Hue) and "Thy. Gifts" (Kennedy Russell), sung with the organ. Many encores ;were demajided, and-; these were,-given. -to a delighted audience. •■' The .Australian tenor, ilr. Norman Bennett, was in gopd voice in; "Stay, My Beloved"'(Bach)- and a'bracket of. old 1 English ballads. Miss Margot' Macgibbon, the brilliant young violinist,' played BeethovenV"Minuet in G" with astonishing iacilityi- :Mr. Besley was a 'sympathetic 'accompanist, and in: his solo work he was always poetic.: ' •••"•' : .--. : ; .-..=.-• ■: ■ An' extra and final concert will be given in the Town''Hall ■' to-morrow night. -Miss".Phyllis liett:will';■ be heard in a'finie'programme, including '' Che Faro " (Orfeo>, Handel; Sapphic Ode' (Brahms); "The of IsisV (Granyille Baritdck); Childher Plays'.' . (Waifprd .Pl^ys);; . "Loy'e I. Have Won You" (Laiidon. JJonild); "A Prayer' 7 to "Our Lady" (Donald..Ford);; "A Fian Lullaby" (Btelka a'Arba);;. "Cuckoo" (Martin Shaw.).:.. ."Hp.ming" '(with : organ); '.' '.Del Biego,''. .and,'' Ojnbra mai fu " (Handel); and other popular numbers. The box plan.is at The. JBr'is,t6l, and day sales at the Grand Opera House Confectionery. ' .'.■■-, , ... '.,..' '..■"■