HIGH-CLASS MUSIC.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10593, 23 May 1928, Page 6

HIGH-CLASS MUSIC.

NOTED ARTISTS AT OPERA HOUSE SUCCESS OF MISS EVANS AND AIR, CIA NOE Seldom is Gisborne included in the itinerary of noted singers of thy übility and reputation of Miss Amy Evans, the Welsh soprano, and Mr Fraser (range, the Scottish baritone, amt it is regrettable that on the occasion of the opening concert of a. short season in the Opera, House last night the attendance was not its large as the performance warranted? The audience, however, accorded the singers an enthusiastic reception, the spontaneous and sustained applause following every item indicating the depth of feeling which Iheir beautiful singing aroused.

The beautiful cantatrice, artistically gowned, was received with applause as she' appeared for tier initial number. the aria “Hear Ye, Urael” from “Elijah.” She rendered Mendelssohn's famous excerpt with numb dramatic intensity and vivid vocal coloring. The singer was cni imsiastieally recalled and in marker! contrast sang with delightful fervor ‘My Dearest- Heart” (Sailivan ). „nd in response to- a further recall gave a charming rendering of “Homing” (Del Riego). Aliss Evans’ next appearance was in a. treble bracket, in which her host contribution was Gounod’.s setting of “Ave Maria”, whilst the other numbers weit> interpreted with that- delightful abandon characteristic of the pieces—“An Eriskny Love Lilt” (arranged hv M. Kenuedy-Fraser”) and ‘ Ale’ Comitfiny Along” (Richard Hagemann). Miss Evans was warmlv recalled and

...sag that- beautiful number ‘T. AVon,ter If Love is a Dream” (Dorothy Foster), with all the verve which tbt. composition demanded. Perhaps Aliss Evans' most popular encore number was her- sympathetic and coy rendering of “Cornin’ Thro’ rise Rye”. In the latter port inn of the programme Miss Evans presented ■ inother treble bracket which met

•v it It rounds of enthusiastic, appro ha (mri. Her interpretation of Kreisler's ■ (. radio Song” a charming compost--1 mis. was characteristic of its tend. •■'l in marked contrast she sang

‘Down in (he Forest” (Lanolon Ron- . 10). typifying spring, in a lighrwairm manner m which, her boaunvd voice found full rein. In her con•itiding number "Liam A" Cariadn” R.. S. Hughes), which was sung in ■or native tongue. Welsh, she Moiighl out- the. light- and shaded i.j.ssages with lic-autiful intonation. :n responrso to an insistent recall Vliss Evans gave a, delightful ronfering of "Before You Came."

Possessed of a robust haritono ,-t«icn of marked, power and range. Vlr Fraser flange made his first aj»;>carancc iri ihe well known solo 010 from Tannhause" “(V Hiar of Eve” (.Wagner) ' which lie treated ‘.virli consiminiate skill. He was • itofc pleasing perhaps, in Gowen’s "Border Ballad” in which he uilus- ■ I great, intensive and ii.ro. Alosf

lOpuhir of his coufi'ihnfions was the amiliar Prologue to “Pagliacci” in uliich he led up skilfully to power •ud tragic intensify. .Mr (range was

•it his best in the three bracket fed •lumbers "An Old Song Resting” (Ouffesi. "When Song is Sweet”, 'Gertrude San Solicit and “The Toy Band" (Harold Samuel), in which he 'ntd ample scopq for extending the rmluiess of his voice to the fullest extent which. allowed warmth ot 'cmpenimerit To find its proper rmt'ct. He scored heavily also in anotbr t.riple bracket "Sen Fever” (John Ireland). “Aoltal hv Die .Sea” (Rosarida .Lawranee) and “Bonnie Dundee" the second number being a delightful and charming composition worn New Zealand. Air Gauge was warmly recalled and contributed the "Smuggler’s Song” and “Green Grow the Rushes” with much effect.

The duet -‘Figlia. Alio Padre” from "Rigoletto” was enthusiastically encored and the performers had to reneat “Trot Here and There.” before thev were allowed to retire.

Tlie solo pianiste and aecompan--.ste. Afiss Enid Conley, was first heard in the solo “Country Guldens” (Percy Grainger), and subsequently rendered “Alexican Serenade” (Dent Mow'rey'i, and a Chopin waltz in E Alinor with fine interpretive sense, her recall numbers being a Brahms waltz in A Flat and “The Alusical Box” (Goussion.i. Another concert will he given tonight when an entirely different proTam mo will be presented. Box plan are nr Lewis Eady’s.