WILLIAM HEUGHAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 April 1925, Page 6

WILLIAM HEUGHAN

• ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION 'l.,-; ‘ William jHeughan, the ‘.Scottish basso-cantant!e assisted by Hyman Lanzer, violinist, and Miss Gladys,/ Sayer, pianist, opened a two night’s \ season in the Opera House last evening, 'Notwithstanding other attrac-' tions the basso accorded a gora audience and received 'a most ■•enthusiastic reception'. Appearing in Highland costume (clan McKenzie) a well set up man, of goodly counten;' ance and pleasant stage presence, Mr. Heughhn immediately on his entrance got “close up” to the audience. He is ;a. versatile artist, his repertoire containing not only a good percentage of Scottish songs, but alsd operatic excerpts, classic, folic songs and ballads, covering every phase of song. Two factors assisted materially in the enjoyable appreciation of/Mr. Heughan’s songs. His explanatory remarks giving the history and purport t of the song, and the excellent characterisation introduced. These two / points were particularly apropos jin the songs, “The Barrin’ o’ the door,” “Wi tg. Hundred Pipers,” “The .Two Grenadiers,” “Widdicombe Fair,” ‘The ; Mistress and the Master.” In three appearances during the programme; .the ' basso sang no less than seventeen ■■ songs. His songs “Green Grow the Rashes O,” “Thei Carl o’ Kellyburn Braes,” “Blue Bonnets ov6r the Border,” “The Bonnets, of ‘Bonnie Dundee,” pleased many more in the audi- ■ ence than the Scots. Into all his Scotch songs, and indeed into the Irish also the spirit of the country was always underlying the song, and made them irresistible in their appeal to the audience.' “Vulcan’s Song” (Gounod) was sung with splendid declamatory force, whilst the “Prologue” from “Pagliacci” received a delicate portrayal of the moods suggested in the work. \“ln, Cellar Cool,” “The Floral Dance,” “Phil the Fluter’s Ball,” “Kitty of Colernei,” t “When in Death I shall recline” each received a rendering consistent with their story and Mr, Heughan’s, fine resonant cultured basso proved

its quality and responded to every call made on it,;< x | Hyman Lenzer, proved himself a good platform artist, and presented a brochure of nine numbers during his three appearances. He was able to display good technique in “Liebeslied” (Kreisler), “Gipsy Airs,” (Sarasate), and “Allegro” (Fiocco) while the more legato movements, “Traumerei” (Schumann), “Andantino,” (Lemaire), “Souvenir”, (Drudla) he played with a rare sweetr ness which contrasted nicely with the robust rendering of “Bolero” and the ‘Snake Dance.” , Miss Gladys Sayer, the solo plan- . -ist apd accompanist, showed intelligence in her readings of Chaminade’b - “Dans Creole” and “Country Dance” (arranged by Percy Grainger). Her accompaniments were a delight. The second concert will be given ' on Thursday evening, when with the exception of any request numbers, there will be no repetition of last evening’s programme.