The Ovide Musin Concert Company.

Hastings Standard, Issue 226, 21 January 1897, Page 2

The Ovide Musin Concert Company.

" H INEMO A." Last night a most appreciative audience assembled at the Princess Theatre to hear the famous violinist, Ovide Musin, and his talented Company. Last night's audience, to judge from the spontaneous and vociferous applause with which they greeted the performers, were not disappointed in the high opinion they had formed of the Company, and it was evident that they thoroughly enjoyed the musical treat provided for them. The first part of the programme consisted of items rendered by the members of the Company, and each performer was obliged to respond to an imperious encore. The first to appear before the audience was Mr Edouard Scharf in a magnificent pianoforte rendering of Liszt's " Rhapsodie, No. 2," which was listened to with rapt attention, and at the conclusion, the performer was greeted with a perfect storm of applause, and for an encore, he played "Transcription from Faust." Mme. Musin followed, singing " Air and Variations " (Proch) in which there was boundless scope for the sweet flexibility of her voice. Mme Musin possesses a crystallv clear thrilling soprano which she uses without a seeming effort through the most difficult passages and though the compass is uot exceptional her technique is irresistable. At the conclusion of her song Mme Musin received a perfece ovation and for an encore she gave "Annie Laurie." A selection, " Souvenir de Hayden," on the violin by 51. Musin was the effort of a master. His manipulation was superb but so also M as Miss Bessie Doyle's, but there the comparison ends for M. Musin has a soul which he infuses into his music and for the while his instrument becomes a part of himself —wailing, sobbing, loving, shrieking, soothing in sympathy with the master spirit. M. Musin was recalled and played a beautiful senerade. Mr John Hill, the well-know Wellington tenor sang " For the New Year." Mr Hill has a strong pure tenor voice which has earned for him a colonial reputation which this tour will considerably extend. In reply to redemand he gave " Wilt thou be my Dearie," both songs being compositions of his brother, Mr Alf Hill. The first part of the programme concluded with three violin duets " Adanden," " Birceuse," and a serenade played by Messrs Ovide Musin and Alfred Hill, which were met with enthusiasm, the audience insisting on a reappearance, which was responded to with an artistic rendering of a Minuet. Mr Alf Hill's beautiful cantata " Hinemoa," occupied the second part of the programme. The soloists were Mme Musin, soprano (Hinemoa), Mr Alf Hill, baritone (Tutanekai), and Mr J. Hill, tenor (Tiki), with a strong chorus of the best local singers, and an orchestra consisting of Messrs Scharf (piano), Musin (violin), and Alf Hill (organ), the whole being under the c.mductorship of Mr 11. 11. Hunt. The solos and duets were rendered with exquisite taste, particularly " Tutanekai 1 love Thee," and " There is only the Laughter of Rippling Waves." by Mine Musin, Mr J. Hill's duet with Si inc. Musin " Are you the Maiden," and the duet " Over the Wave," sung by M. me Musin and Mr A. Hill, which the latter received an encore. Considering tins time at their disposal the choruses ucre very well rendered and rejected creditably on the conductor Mr. 11. 11. Hunt. The "Italia" chorus of Maori warriors under the conductorship of the composer electrified the audience who seemed to be infected with the wild enthusiasm of the music and in an imperative encore they in.-isied on a repetition. At the conclusion of the performance M. Musin thanked all the ladies and gentlemen in the choruses for their assistance and spoke in terms of unstinted praise <>f the manner in which they acquitted themselves, lie announced his intention of producing the cantata in Napier on Wednesday next, whet) he trusted the same ladies and gentlemen would lu'sun help. It is probable the company will appear agatn in I latin4•> on the 2t>th with an altered programme.