SONG RECITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1945, Page 6

SONG RECITAL

FINE ENGLISH BARITONE It is by no means unusual to record tho appearance of foreign musical talent of unusually high standard, but the visit of a fine British interpretative artist is a rare event worthy of note. David Clark, an English bassi baritone of real distinction, appeared in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last night, supported by Edna Clark, a pleasing lyric soprano, and Mrs. C. Mcßride, the Wanganui pianist, as accompanist. His presence in Wellington was hardly known, and the audience numbered probably fewer than 50 people. . For artists of experience, who had prepared something unusual in the way of musical fare, that must have been disappointing. The presence of David Clark in the city should have received the support of the principal musical organisations. Mr. Clark came to this country some time ago in search of health, and has been living in Tauranga, and he may settle in the Dominion. Should r.ucb be the case he w6uld be a decided asset in musical circles, particularly in the field of oratorio. Tho singer, who has a very fine baritone voice, opened the concert with the Prologue from "Pagliacci" in the traditional costume. He was also In costume when he sang excerpts from Liza Lohmann's "In a Persian Garden." Mr. Clark also sang "0 Star, of Eve," the melodramatic "Edward" (Carl Loew), the rousing Viking saga "Wolfgog, the- Bowman", (Nelson), and AUitsen's "The Norseman's Song." Other Hems were of the popular ', variety, such as, for example, Coningsby Clarke's "The Blind Ploughman" and "The Garden of My Heart," (Ball), the Fatter as a duet with Miss Clark. He also showed himself an accomplished, pianist, and accompanied himself in a bracket of numbers. Miss Clark was heard with David Clark in other duets, including "On Wings of Song" (Mendelssohn), "Arise O Sun," and, Ronald's "0 Lovely Night." Her solos included. "Sing, Sweet Bird," "Indian Lullaby," "Estrallta," and "Down in the Forest." »Botb singers had a most attentive and appreciative reception. ... Mrs. Mcßride, In addition to accompanying the singers artistically, played Grey's "Butterfly" study, one of the numbers from Coleridge Taylor's "Valse Suite," "Chanson Trlste," by : Tschaikowsky, and, finally, Alfred .Hill's; '/.Valso: