MISS ETHEL OSBORN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 March 1925, Page 2

MISS ETHEL OSBORN.

OPERA HOUSE, LAST NIGHT

A BRILLIANT SUCCESS,

Music-lovers, who remember the very favourable impression created by Miss Osborn on her previous .visit here, were . keenly anxious to hear her once more, and therefore hailed the news of the farewell tour before leaving for Europe. The Hawera concert was given last night in the Opera House, and proved an outstanding success, everyone piesent being delighted, not only with Miss Osborn’s wonderful and artistic singing, but also with the work of the assisting performers. . ' Miss Osborn charmed everyone with the art of her singing, and her marvellous control of a fine voice. ft is full and -All and clear throughout her great range, and without the slightest effort she used it in a way that o-ave her perfect sway over the most difficult and exacting songs Her breath control, too, is remarkable, and this enabled her to secure, perfect expression in her singing, of the ideas,oi the composer she was interpreting. Her vocal technique is remarkably good, and gave her absolute command of the most intricate runs and trills. She has, too, a distinct appeal in her voice that is very attractive. Her concert numbers crave her ’scone to show her powers to the full. The great song from Lucia de Lnmineriuoor was hey first, and eanbled her to show a great faculty of expression of deep feeling. As a recall she added a very pretty, song “At the Well.” The second opened with a wonderful recitative, full of dramatic effect, and in the aria she had full opportunity to show her voice control, the slow, soft allargando movement being most attractive in style. “Dream Merchandise” was a fine number, and the third one bracketed was a pretty air forming a nice contrast to the others. The greatest enthusiasm was shown at the the conclusion of the songs, and in response to an emphatic encore she added the brilliant song, “Lo! Hear the Gentle Lark,’’ full as it is of lovely melodies and forming a fine test of vocal technique. The flute obligato was very well played by Mr Dick, and formed a capital complement to the song. Continued applause brought out the singer to delight -her listeners with the old Scotch song “There’s luck a boot the Hoose,” sung in a way that brought out the meaning of the song to perfection, and also a pretty little air “Butterflies.” The concluding number was a flue dramatic rendering of the great recit. and aria ‘‘o Patria,” frorfi Rossini’s “Tancredi.” It was most effective, the smooth flowing cantabile movement being a feature of the song. Recalls were demanded, and Miss Osborn again consented, adding the glorious “Ave Marin” of Gounod, with a" violin-obligato by Mr Williams- The combined effect was remarkably good. Again th esinger came hack and gave her audience “The Wren,” also: with violin obligato, finishing on one of the notes “in alt,” for which she is well known, and taken with prefect ease. In the other number, three lovely songs bracketed were most attractive. She entered fully into the spirit of each song, and absolutely delighted her listeners. The encores included the popular “Kookaburra.” Mi- Williams is, a violinist of very great ability. He has very considerable executant powers and plays with excellent taste and, feeling. His technique is also remarkably good. He has a nice free style and gets a fine ringing tone in his playing. The “Concerto’’ with which ho opened was a great chance to show his powers, and of it he took full advantage. His delicacy of tone and his excellent double stopping were marked features. The other numbers inouuded two “Sarasate” movements and two by Kreisler, and all were played in capital style. He was encored on each occasion.

Mr Hunter, the baritone, sang with excellent effect the pretty song ‘l Hear a. Thrush at Eve,” and was recalled to sing two more, “Youth,” and “MJ Dreams.” . He has a good voice of fine quality and great range, and sings with artistic expression. Madame Borman, the solo pianist and nccompaniste, is a player of very great ability. She has an excellent style, her playing is full of artistic sympathy, and she has great power of execution. She played for her'solos two Chopin “.Preludes,” and so pleased her audience that she was recalled. But as an accompanist, she is one of the best ever heard in Hawera. She has that ability of sinking her own personality just, enough to bring out the work of the soloist. She had a heavy task, and came through with flying' colours. Her work was no small feature in the success of the evening’s performance. As a compliment to the Male Choir, they were specially asked to open the programme. * It was their first appearance under their new conductor, Mr Clement Howe, and the impression created was distinctly g<jod. They sang with capital expression, and so pleased the audience that they were recalled.

■A.FTER. the CONCERT. ENTERTAINED BY MALE CHOIR. At the conclusion of the concert the company were asked to meet members of the ‘Male Choir and their friends at the Carlton Rooms, where supper was served by Mrs. Hoddle. Mr. El. Dixon, president of the society, was in the chair. After the toast of “The King” had been honoured, the president cordially welcomed Miss Osborn and her company, and expressed the pleasure felt by all at her visit to Hawera also the hope that her future would he full of success in the wider field to which she was going. Miss Osborn briefly replied, thanking everyone for the right royal welcome given them. Dr. Thomson proposed the toast of “The Choir” in a very happily worded speech, and Mr. P. W. Horner replied, referring to 'the long career of the society and their vicissitudes, and said that their prospects for the future under Mr. Howe, were very promising. Songs were contributed by Miss Osborn, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. C. Moss, and a violin solo by Mr. Williams. The singing of “An lid Lang Syne” concluded £t very pleasant hour.