ROSINA BUCKMAN.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 2 August 1922, Page 8

ROSINA BUCKMAN.

i _.-♦—■ I -AS* OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. -It was .jmi event of no small -importance in the history of 4»usic in '.Hawera to welcome to our midst so distinguished a coterie of -avists as Miss Buckman, M. D'Oisley, Miss Leon, iind Mr Kalm. Hawera has been fortunate in hearing I many _ great artists. With Miss Buck-

man -there was a very special interest, ! because -she -is a New Zealander, indeed ! a Taranaki lady, who has gone out into [ the wide world of song and won her way ; [to the top of the tree and. become world ' ; famous. It was therefore with peculiar I interest that a Hawera audience listenj ed to the diva of song who has achieved \ ; so much, and by sheer merit has secured j.a .place in opera among the greatest i and best known artists. ,: In her programme numbers she chose songs that gave her ample scope to show every wonderful dramatic power . and her consummate artistry. The great song. "One Fine Day," from | Puccini's Madame Buterfly, was her opening number. In this fine song she showed to the full her great range, h«r artistic ability and her wonderful control of a glorious voice. Tne delicate tones of her ■ voice in the top register thrilled the listeners, while her full rich tones rang clear and pure when the dramatic air from La Boheme, sung as a second I encore, she let herself go with a fine i abandon. The dainty "Cuckoo" sons

abandon. Ihe damty Uuckoo ' song was the other recall number. On her second appearance she sang three charming numbers. First was the dainty "Lass With a Delicate Air," which she sang with delightful naivette, and then two pretty songs by Montague Phillips, "Butterfly Wings" and "0 Ship of My Delight." In the former she infused delicate, tender expression, while the latter was full of passion and fire. In tresponse to a rapturous encore she delighted her listeners with her wonderful singing of "Waiata Poi," <• Waiata Maori,"'•in both of which she caught the Maori lilt perfectly, and recalled again added the old favourite "Comin' Thro' the Rye." < But her great triumph was in the j. duet numbers with M. D'Oisley. 1 The "Romeo and JuWet' gave scope for, wonderful singing and dramatic inter-! pretation. and in these she was at her best. Her singing was full of nassionate dramatic art, and M. D'Oisley was almost equally good. The result' was a scene of tumultuous enthusiasm' that swept over the audience, and was recognised by a generous respon.se. The two great artists added the Finale from first act of La Boheme, and then as a final great effort the "Miserere" duet from "La Travatore," and cello obligato. The audience was still insistent for more, and a very excellent interpretation was given fay the two artists of the popular and pretty duet "Keys of Heaven." It was most attractive and thoroughly appreciated by all. With rare good spirit they appeared twice with the accompanist in acknowledgment of appreciation. It was a wonderful and" fitting culmination to a great performance, " M. D'Oisly proved a great favourite, and was given a great reception. His first number, "EJeanore," showed his consummate art. He infused deep feeling into his singing of this charming air, and gave an altogether delightful interpretation of a Tine/song. He was recalled twice, the second "When : I was a Bachelor," being a song that showed him in a new light, possessed of the ability to sing a simple ballad in such a way as to captivate ! every listener. Four bracketed songs I formed his second programme number. !In each he was excellent. Deep feeling marked his interpretation of Phillips' fine song "Dolorosa." With" the composer and accompanist, Mr Percy ' Kahn, he gained ouite an ovation for the pretty, little song "The Willow Tree." But in the French chansons "Adieu de Matin" and "PetronilLe," each so different and yet demanding great art, he was quite at his best. The smoothness of tone in the "Adieu" was perfect, while the tripping gaiety of tone in the others made it a model of interpretation. Two encores were generously given, an old Negro folk song "O! " Didn't it Rain" and the wonderful song "Blind Ploughman." M. D'Oisly's work throughout was wonderful. A most favourable impression was made by the lady cellist, Miss Adelina Leon, in her first solo "Scotch Airs," and increased with each successive number. She draws from her instrument a full rich tone, without effort or ostentation, showing a natural gift of power and sympathy that won the hearts of all listeners. She was enthusiastically encored. Her second number included the pretty air "Drink to Me Only," and a sprightly "Country Danoe," which showed her great powers of execution. She played with fine abandon, entering fully "into the spirit of each solo, *he great "Rhapsody" by Popper, was a wonderful e f-! fort, full of grace and charm, and again, she was Tecalled. In all her playing she showed herself a true artist, gifted with the faculty of getting; the best out of everything she played. >Jot a little of the great * success achieved during the performance was due-to the very excellent work of Mr Percy Kahn. the accompanist He has the true qualiity of sinking his own individuality and of knowing just what is required in his accompaniment to make it a fitting part of the soloist's work. To him the.soloists owe a v^ry great deal for their success. He was artistic to a degree in all his work, and a Teal ]oy to all the listeners. Rarely has one heard better. The concert was most successful in every way, and will remain forever in the memory of all present. The knowledge that there is a possibility of a return performance later in the yea-r will be most welcome. If arranged * the company may be sure of a moat -enthusiastic reception.