SONG RECITAL

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 February 1931, Page 9

SONG RECITAL

MISS C. RFILEY AND AIR REX HARRISON. it is rare indeed to see on one concert programme the great field of fcong so widely explored as was the case last night at the Grand Theatre, when Aliss Constance Reilly and Mr Rex Harrison collaborated in a recital which nas given very generously in aid of the earthquake relief fund. Coinposeis ot most diverse schools and different ages were drawn upon to delight an enthusiastic audience. And throughout the artists gave of their very best, devoting the greatest care in the interpretation of each individual number. That was a marked feature, of the whole programme. 4he result of their collaboiution was a performance such as a Hawera, audience lias not enjoyed for a long time. Both were recalled again antf again, a compliment that was well merited. Aliss Reilly chose for her first Draex-J eted trio- three charming songs, Kra-| m«r’s “Last Hour,” a traditional air, “May Day Carol,” and, as a marked contrast, the pretty and melodious j “There are Fairies at the Bottom of Our Gardenby Liza Lehmann. -* u i each she, was equally happy and m re-1 spouse to a recall she added “Hie Second Minuet.” Her next selection explored a different stvie. and included Toste’s “h 11tima Canzone,”. “Primavera” by iirindelli and an operatic aria “Addio di Alimi” (Pncceni’is “La Boheme”). felie was equally successful in each and they stood out as perhaps her best. The “Primavera” was especially charming. Ao-ain she was recalled and added a pretty number “The Brownie Men. The French school provided her last trio, Massenet’s “Ouvre tes le-ux Bleus,” ‘‘Si Ales, Vers” by Hahn and another aria, “Depuis lei jour” (Chainenteer). The singer was m her happiest mood m these delightful chansons and the audience recalled her twice, when she added. “The, Cuckoo”, and the ever popular “Waiata Poi.” Mr Rex Harrison is a baritone who is 'well and favourably known “on the air.” His performance on the concert platform fully confirmed the high, repute which he brought as an artistic sino-er. He has a full rich resonant voice, of great power and range and bis artistry is of a very high standard.. One oi the outstanding features of his work throughout is his almost flawless enunciation. His performance quite delighted everyone present. There was a, marked contrast in the j three fine numbers included in his first, trio, the great “prologue”, to T agllacci ” a recitative style that makes a| o-reat demand upon a, singer; a ballad; “0 Night! O Life!” (Sanderson), and, the fine song of Homer’s. “How’s My; Boy ” The singer brought out to the full the pathos and the grief depicted in this song. It was a* mastei piece of | expression. “Waiata Alaori”. and Hie Gentle Alaiden” were added m return for an insistent encore. He followed with three quite delightful American Indian, songs by Cadman, “If.rein the Land of the Sky Blue Water,’.’ bar off 1 Hear a Lover’s Fiute, and J.ne Aloon Drops Low.” In each Air Marrison struck just the right note that was expressed in the words and music. The charm of the first two w ere contrasted with tlie note of sadness m the last, which depicted the failing of the Indians before the driving power of the white man. A charming little song of childhood was added ill Alustard and Cress.’.’ , 1 Again a markedly diverse school movddecl the concluding trio, the weirdly beautiful Schumann song ‘The Wraith,” a pretty ballad Waves by Sanderson, and then, as a last concei t number, the glorious aria from Mendelssolim’s oratorio “Elijah.” All were sung with that meticulous care in expression and interpretation which was a feature of the singer’s performance. B u t in a long list of fine numbers, Mr Harrison was perhaps at his best in the oratorio. He lias, tbe gift ol getting iust the right atmosphere and exploring to the full the meaning ol the words as well as the ideas in the mind of the writer of the music. He scored a marked success. . . . . . ■ In response to the enthusiasm nt nis listeners the singer added the great “V.nl<?aii , s anct loncluded programme witii a. charming hi\ e l song, “To be near my Beloved. ’. I Alisa Jean Sheild and Aliss Alarm Mackie delighted the audience with the j piano duet “Spanish Dance’’ (Atoszkow-, ski), adding “The Witches’ Dance . as an encore. In the -second pa it of the evening Aliss Aiara Al.ackie played m. finished' istyile Weber’s “Invitation to, tlie Waltz” and so pleased her listeners j that she was recalled and added another number. ~ During the evening the Mayor (AH E. A. Lacey) and Air H. G. Dickie, ALP., expressed the hearty thanks of the- relief committee for the help given, so generously by the two artists. Thanks were expressed also to the proprietors of the theatre, who gave tin nail free; to the staff, who gave thenservices; to Aliss Gibbes, for giving! the proceeds of ice-creams sold; to Air Bartlett for carting; and to Alessrs E. Dixon and Co. for the use of the piano. The combined result will he a. substantial addition to the fund for relief ot the sufferers by the disaster. Aliss D. Reilly, as accompanist, hail a strenuous task and played as always, with nerfact taste and feeling.