MISS ALICE HOLLANDER'S CONCERTS.

Evening Star, Issue 11451, 19 January 1901, Page 4

MISS ALICE HOLLANDER'S CONCERTS.

It was In every sense a good audience that assembled in the Agricultural Hall last, night to hear the second of Miss Alice Hollander's concerts. Numerically, it was large, but from the point of view of those taking part it had an even more important feature, and that was its quality, being composed, in the main, of people well qualified to form a sound opinion of the merits of the different performers This being tho case, the hearty and spontaneous applause that greeted every item must have been most gratifying to Miss Hollander 'and her capable supporters on the programme. The talented young visitor was, of course, the centre of attraction, and her brilliant singing charmed everyone. The wonderful purity of her voice. Iter command over it, as evidenced by the delicacy and evenness of the light and shade, the correctness of her singing, and the precision of her attack—these, combined with her artistic treatment, made Iter numbers a source of great pleasure to one and all. Miss Hollander had a splendid reception, and she. grew in favor the more the audience heard her sing. Her first, number was ‘Three Fishers’ (Hulkth), which she sang with much feeling, and for which an encore wus loudly called; but the singer wisely declined, and contented herself with several times bowing her acknowledgments: It was, however, in her next, number (Gounod’s ‘O Divine Redeemer’) that Miss Hollander achieved her greatest success. This great song has been sung here many times, but we do not remember having ever heard it. so well rendered as it was last night. Miss Hollander put her whole soul into the grand composition, and sang it with a depth of feeling that held the largo audience spellbound. It gave her ample opportunity of displaying her fine voice in its every phase, and we think we are echoing the sentiments of all present when we say that the number was a musical and artistic treat. Even more than the ‘ Avc Maria ’ of the previous evening, it stamped Miss Hollander as a, singer who has a great future‘before her. The effect of this number was enhanced by an organ accompaniment tastefully played by Mr A. W. Lilly. In response to an 'imperative encore. ‘All Souls’ Day’ (Lassen), a tuneful and sweet song, was sung. Mascheroni s ‘Ave Maria,’ which constituted Miss Hollander's chief success on the previous evening, was repeated in the second part, with violin (Hen - Zimmerman), organ (Mr Lilly), and piano (Miss Little) accompaniment. The number went capitally throughout, and was very well received'. As an encore ‘ Love came on - the morrow,’ composed by Miss Hollander's teacher, Mr Bethune, was contributed. This is a pretty song, admirably suiting Miss Hollander’s rich contralto voice, and her singing of it gained high encomiums from the audience. ‘ Douglas Gordon ’ and ‘ Home, sweet, home ’ were the concluding numbers, and were in keeping with tho general excellence of the rest of the concert. ‘ Home, sweet home ’ was particularly enjoyable, and her singing of it does credit alike (o her tuition and her grasp of the sentiment of the song. As on the previous evening, Miss Hollander was capably assisted. Miss Murphy sang splendidly ‘ She wandered down the mourn tain side’ (F. Clay) and ‘Love, the pedlar’ (German). Both songs suited her, and the hearty applause with which they were greeted was no more than her due'rcward. She declined an encore to the first number, but to the latter responded with bye, ma babe.’ (Miss Olive Little contributed two pianoforte solos—‘ Etude(Rubenstein) and ‘Ausdem Carnival’ (Greig) and won fresh laurels for the artistic treatment she accorded them. As encores she played ‘ Albumbkatt. ’ (Mauchan Bemett) and j’etais’ (Henselt). Mr Farquhar Young was heard to advantage in ‘Who shall be king?’ (Webster) and ‘Asleep on the deep ’ (Petrie), and in response to a merited encore to the last named sang ‘Ask me why I love’ (Kelly). Herr Zimmerman played a couple of violin solos, which greatly delighted the audience. His first was ‘Ave Maria’ (Schubert-Wilhehnj), and was a great treat. As an encore he played a mazurka. His skill as a violinist was again evidenced in his own composition ‘Concert Landler,’ his artistic treatment of which earned him another recall, to which he responded by playing a. movement of an arrangement of ‘ Yankee Doodle.’ The accompaniments were in the capable hands of Miss Little and Mrs Murphy, the former showing a. marked sympathy with the singer, but at times Mrs Murphy brought rather much sound from the instrument. This evening a popular concert will be given in the Garrison Hall. Madame Patti, according to ‘News’ (London), never speaks a word on the days when she has to sing. Nor does Madame Albani, who otherwise takes loss care of her voice than the diva, and only fears indigestible food —salmon, nuts, and such like. Both declare they never " even look ” at tea, which'hardens the vocal chords. Madame Albani believes implicitly in the virtues of a cold bath and a refreshing drink of Mighty Alok. Madame Albani has written expressing her great belief in Alok, and stating that it is of great assistance to anyone who has fatiguing work to do. —£AdvL]