THE COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 19142, 8 January 1926, Page 4

THE COMPETITIONS

A DOUBLE FIRST FINE ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED LAST EVENING On the whole very admirable work was done by those who tool: part in the various competitions at the Festival Hall yesterday. The average standard of attainment was good, and the performances of a number of the competitors were distinctly of outstanding merit. For example .Miss Eileen Connolly, Blenheim, sang the contralto solo, ‘Throe Fishers Went Failing,’ with great sympathy and expression, and was awarded no less than 88marks out of 100; for his baritone solo, the prologue from ‘ Pagliaeei,’ Mr 11. Allison, Christchurch, was awarded 89 points out of 100; and a similar percentage was secured hy him for his sacred solo, ‘ God, My Father.’ He well deserved his double first. The recalls from the morning and afternoon sessions provided a very excellent entertainment for tho evening session, and the audience, while not a large one. was most appreciative. The following were the results:—■ CONTRALTO SOLO (Secular). Aliss Eileen Connolly (Blenheim), ‘ Three Fishers Went Sailing,’ S 8 marks 1 Miss Dorothy Skinner (St, Clair), ‘The I,anient of Isis,’ 80 marks, and Miss Alice Vinson (Christchurch), ‘ Hark, What ,1 Tell to Thee,’ 83 marks, were bracketed erpial 2 Miss Mary Somerville (Roslyn), ‘ My Ships,’ 80 marks 3 The other competitors wore Aiiss Monica Drew (Dunedin), ‘Beloved, it is Morn,’ 81 marks; Aliss Lorna Smith (Dunedin), ‘Lament of Isis,’ 73 marks; Aliss Marjory Allomcs (Wanganui), ‘ Hindoo Song,’ 8.1 marks; and Miss Alona Melton (Wairnate), ‘ .Lament of Isis,’ 71 marks. Professor Thomas said that the voice of the winner, Aliss Eileen Connolly, was rich and powerful, and of sweet tone, and her words were particularly clearly enunciated, bnt she was just a very little out of tune in the second verso, and that, strange to say, in the low notes. The evenness throughout the voice was specially noticeable. A rullontando, which was not marked in tho music, would have been a good thing to have inserted at the end of tho song. It was tho usual thing to do. hut was not done in this case. Ho considered it a very good performance indeed. Aiiss Dorothy Skinner’s intonation was not quite true at times, but she gave a very good interpretation of the song. Her voice was powerful and agreeable, and hers was a, very pood performance on the whole. Aiiss Vinson had a voice of pretty quality, especially in the lower register. Tt had plenty of power, and she was able in the. subdued parts to obtain clearness of notes and words. She gave a very good rendering of her song, but bo must criticise her intonation of one nr two words. Tf one could not bear the words there was not much in the song, and one or two of her words could easily have boon improved. For instance, she sang “ specret ” instead of “spirit.” and “wad” for “ what.” _ Aiiss Somerville was a very pleasing singer, but her voire was not quite equal to the demands of the song. The intonation was very good. but the notes were sometimes uneven. She gave a very good rendering of the song, hut on a long note sang “ home-ah ” instead of “homo.” SAXOPHONE SOLO.

The only competitor in this section was Mr E. R. M'Conachy (Tiinarn), who took as his selection ‘ Saxopho-’ bia.’ Professor Thomas sai (1 that the performer played the music correctly hut there was not very much musical feeling or expression in his rendering. It was mostly loud, hut lie thought that he deserved 75 marks, and awarded him the second prize. BAR [TON B SOLO (Operatic). Mr R,. Allison fChristchurch), prologue ‘Pagliacci,' 89 marks _ I

Mr Lawrence A. North (Dunedin), ‘ Clouds May Rise,’ 87 Mr W. P. Mitchell (Musselburgh), Mnfclici,’ S 3

Mr A. J. Lungley (Dunedin), who had also been recalled, was awarded S2 marks for his rendering of ‘ Largo al Factotum.’

Mr Wm. Carr (Dunedin), Prologue, 1 Pagliacoi,’ 77 marks; Mr B. B. Barlow (Invercargill), ‘ Eri tn oho macchiari,’ 74; and Mr F. N. Hall (Highcliff), ‘The Toreador’s Song,’ 68, also competed. Mr Allison, said P.rofcssor Thomas, had a voice of pleasing and agreeable quality. Ho canio through difficulties well and gave a very satisfying performance. He had good intonation, and was the only singer of that song who pronounced the word “ prologue ” in the correct way, sounding tiie “ logue ” “ log,” as in “catalogue.” Air North had a pleasing, powerful, and satisfying voice, and the song was rendered well. The runs were well executed, and he had the traditional rendering of Handel’s song. Ho had very good breath control, and gave a very good performance altogether. Mr Mitchell was not true in the repeated notes at the beginning in the recitative. He had a powerful and fairly flexible voice, and the cadenza was very well done. Mr Lungley had a powerful and flexible voice and a good tone. Ho rendered tlie song fairly well, but it was too fast for dearness. His Italian was not always well pronounced. The “ch ” in “die,” for example, should have been pronounced as a “ k.”

SACRED SOLO (Gentlemen). Air R. Allison (Christchurch), ‘God, My Father,’ 89 marks ... _ ... 1 Mr Lawrence A. North (Dunedin), ‘ For Behold Darkness,’ 87 ... 2 Air A. Walinsley (Mosgiel), ‘lf With All Your Hearts,’ 86 ... 3

The other recalled competitors—Mr Los Dailey (Christchurch, ‘ How Many Hired Servants,’ and Mr W. P. Mitchell (Musselburgh), ‘Arise, 0 Sun’wore awarded 85 and 82 marks respective! v.

The other competitors were Air A. J. Limgley (Dunedin) and Air Douglas 0. Colville (Christchurch), 79; Mr B. B. Barlow (Invercargill) and Mr C. _G. Drummond (North-east Valley), 77; Mr Wm. Carr (Dunedin), 75; Mr F. N. Hall (Highcliff), 74; Air G. Proctor (St. Hilda) and Air F. P. Dillon (Dunedin), 72; and Air J. M’Naughtou (Dunedin), C 6. Professor Thomas stated that Air Allison sang his song in a devotional way, which was most appropriate. The rendering was invariably good and smooth and tho voice was good and pleasant to listen to. He obtained a beautiful legato before the return ol tho principal theme. Tho allargando passage demanded much greater bigness or breadth of tone, hut the singer did not give this. However, it was a very good performance. Air North had a good voice and made great use of it. Some of the high notes wore not absm-, lately true. The singer showed flexibility and capability, and it was a good performance. Air Wahnsloy had a. voice of good quality, and his rendering ol the song was most intelligent. The words with one exception wore good, and the h igh notes rang out well. There were one or two faulty words. Mr Dailey was an agrecabM singer with much Intent power, which was used'to advantage when occasion arose, and gave a thoughtful and agreeable performance. Air Mitchell had a voice of great power, true in tho high notes. His was a very good performance, full of vivacity.

SH AKESPEAR FAN RECITATION. The recalls were; A. Ida ton Hurley (Wellington), Miss Elspcth Mackenzie Forbes (Wanganui), Aliss Jenny Griffiths (Dunedin), Aliss Anita Winkcl (Dunedin), and Miss Sheila Noilson (Dunedin). The other competitors were: Aliss Bona D. J. Scott (Dunedin), SO marks out of a possible 100; Nellie Osborn (Dunedin), 79; Air J. B. M'C'onnell (Dunedin), 78; Aliss Alarie Parlitt (Greymouth), 73; Al iss Francos Frye (Dunedin), 73; Aliss Sara J. Aitkon (Invercargill), 72; Air B. Goodland (Christchurch), 71; Aliss Colleen Costelloe (Christchurch), 98; -Miss Al. B. Cowie (Invercargill), 08; Air N. D. Senrr (Dunedin), (L ; Mr 1* • K. Foster (Dunedin), 60; Mr W. H. Moses (Christ' hnreli), 58. The finals will ho decided next At outlay evening. ]] UMOROUS RECITATION. Possible 100. Aliss Sheila Neilson (Dunedin), ‘At tho Photographers,' ,3 ... ... I Aliss Jenny Griffiths (Dunedin), ‘The Burglar,’ 8(3 . ... ... 2 Miss Nellie Osborn (l)iincc. ', ‘The Telegram,’ 85 J Afiss Anita AVinke! (Dunce: . ‘The Vicar’s Presentation,’ 83 1 The other competitors were: Mr A. Eaton Hurley (Wellington)Bl ; Miss Elspcth Mackenzie Forbes (Wanganui), 79; Mr J. B. APConnell (Dunedin), 74; Aiiss Colleen Costelloe (Christchurch). 72” Aliss Suva I. Aiikpn (Invercargill). 69; -Mr Jack St,ovens (St. Hilda), 97; Afiss Bona. I). J. Scott (Dunedin), 69; Air B. Goodland (Christchurch), 64; Miss Alarie Parfiit (Groymoiit.h). 64; Aliss A!. B. Cowie (Invercargill), 93; Miss Edna M. Purdue (Wellington). 91 ; Air W. H. Alnses (Christchurch), 57: Airs Alnrray (Dunedin), 57. The judge (Professor Maxwell Walker) said that the average select,ion in the section was of a very poor standard from a literary point of view. Tie would like to suggest, in elocutionists that they make worth-while selections. Alost of those presented in the section were trifling and of drawing-room diameter. His remarks did not apply to tho standard of the performances, which was comparatively high for this class of recitation. THIS MORNING'S SESSION The Competitions Festival was continued (his morning in the Festival Hall, when Professor Maxwell Walker hoard the fifteen competitors who faced him in the dramatic recital. 'the recalls were; Aliss Jenny Griffiths (‘The Losing of a Soul’), Aliss Anita Winkel (‘ The Doom of Stephanos’), Aliss Nellie Osborn (‘The Highwayman’), and Miss Sheila Neilson (‘The- Death of Minnehaha’).