MISS ESSIE ACKLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 62, 10 September 1937, Page 4

MISS ESSIE ACKLAND

CELEBRITY CHARITY

CONCERT

Of the several celebrity concerts which have been arranged by the National Broadcasting Service during recent months, that given -in the Town Hall last night must rank as one of the best. On the programme was featured Miss Essie Ackiand, the Australian contralto, whose goiden voice is a never-failing delight to radio listeners. The chance of seeing and hearing Miss Ackiand in the flesh was one of which \Vellingtonians were not slow to take advantage, and the Town Hall was well filled, which was all to the benefit of the Mayor's Relief Fund, to which the proceeds of the concert were devoted In addition to Miss Ackiand. three other stars, of somewhat lesser magnitude perhaps, but nevertheless stars in their respective firmaments, figured on the programme, as well as the efficient 2YA Concert Orchestra, so the audience was provided with fare far beyond that of the usual popular concert. Miss Ackiand made two appearances on the platform, once during each half of the programme, and if the audience had been allowed to have its way she would have sung for an hour or so on end. As it was, she was very generous in' the number of items she sang in addition to those detailed on the programme. On her first appearance Miss Ackiand confined herself mainly to classical items with orchestral accompaniment. Her pleasing stage presence and rich voice at once captivated and held the audience spellbound. Beethoven's "In Questa Tomba" and "Connals Tv Pays" from "Mignon" absolutely enthralled the audience, the liquid purity of the singer's notes being appreciated by even the least musical of those present. The first of the two encores following these numbers was Handel's

"Ombra Mai Fu," which was sung by request. This was followed by another request number, "Four. Ducks On .a Pond." Recalled insistently, Miss Ackland was the recipient of beautiful bouquets. Miss Ackland's second group of songs was sung to piano accompaniment, Mr. Leo "Whittaker acting very efficiently -and sympathetically as the accompanist. "Maureen," Hugh Robertson's delightful composition, was followed by the "Song of Soldiers," and that by the beautiful "None But the Lonely Heart," In spite of the advancing hour, the audience seemed as if it could not have enough' of Miss Ackland's "golden voice," and she nobly added to an already lengthy' programme "The Road to the Isles," "Whatever Is, Is Best" (Herman Lohr), a southern lullaby, "Five Little Picanninies," and finally, in response to numerous requests, "There Is No Death."

Miss Essie Ackland's husband, Mr. Reginald Morphew, who is well known on the Australian concert platform, showed, himself to be possessed of a pleasing baritone voice which he can use with -dramatic effect when occasion demands. His first number, the Toreador song from "Carmen," was sung with orchestral accompaniment, and most effectively top. This was followed, much to the delight of the audience, with "Largo Factotum" from "The Barber of Seville," into the singing of which was infused the necessary humour. He was insistently recalled after this triumph. Upon his subsequent appearance during the second portion of the programme Mr. Morphew .sang with great charm Roger Quilter's "Fill the Glass with Golden Wine," and the ballad, "Love Can Only Tell Me." These were followed by the "Demon Song" from Oliver's "Our Pantomime," which was sung in a most telling fashion. The old Irish song, "I Met Her in the Garden Where, the Praties Grow," was added as a .further recall.

Mr. Vincent Aspey, a violinist from

Auckland, also scintillated on the programme. With much artistry he played Kreisler's arrangement of Francour's "Siciliano and Kigaudon," this being followed by the vigorous and impetuous "Ronde dcs Lutius" (Brazzini), which was played with such grace and abandon that the audience insistently demanded an encore. For this he gave a sonorous and plaintive excerpt from Dvorak's "New World Symphony." , T . The Christchurch pianist Mr. Noel Newson needed no introduction to tae majority of the audience. In his first number, Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6," he infused all the necessary fire, making light of technical difficul--1 ties. In,response to vigorous applause, ■ he played with equal facility Chopin s ■ "Revolutionary Study." Chopin's 1 "Fantasie Impromptu" was played later on in the programme and was '■ equally well received. Further proi longed applause greeted his spirited • playing of a delightful "Bohemian Dance." , The 2YA Concert Orchestra, conduc,ed by Mr. Leon de Mauny and aug- • mented for the occasion, was in good ; form. It opened the proceedings and settled the audience down with the ■ tuneful "Russland and Ludmila," foli lowing this with the delicate little , "Praeludium" by Jarnefeldt. Coleridge '. Taylor's "Four Characteristic Waltzes" . proved a very acceptable offering be- ■ tween the vocal numbers, these being '■- played with marked delicacy. The \ orchestra opened the second portion of the programme with the overture i to Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro." and ■ concluded proceedings with the "Grand March" from Wagner's "Tannhauser," : thus fittingly bringing a memorable concert to a close.