A DELIGHTFUL CONCERT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 26 September 1923, Page 7

A DELIGHTFUL CONCERT.

— ♦ MISS OSBORN'S RETURN VISIT. It was jrery encouraging to see the large audience at the Opera House last evening to greet Miss Ethel Oaborn on her second visit to Hawera. Those who had heard the artist at her first concert last month knew what to> expect, and those who had not previously heard her came, full of anticipation. The first few notes of the "Lucia cle Lammermoor" (Donizetti) recitative and air were sufficient to> indicate to her hearers what a feast of delightful singing they were to receive. Miss Osborn had no difficulty in giving a most interesting rendering of this number, and, though she was less declamatory in parts than some singers would have been, there was a subtlety about Miss Osborn's interpretation that gripped the audience. A flute obbligato by Mr. G. Dick added colour to the work. In renly ta the insistent demand Miss Osborasang the "Little Grey Dove" and "Believe me if all those endearing young charms.'' The singer was heard next in two contrasted items, "The Herdsman's Song" (Swedish folk song) and "A Pastoral" (an old English song).. The first served to show excellent control of breathing, and in certain parts, slowly descending in semitones, the singer was especially effective. The second number was of a lighter type, being sung very artistically. The demand for more was so insistent that Mi 3& Os— born had to respond, generously singing the popular "Waiata Poi" (the declamatory passages being very effective indeed) and "Butterflies' Winga.'* [n the second half the programme Miss Osborn had her audience transported to a new world—a world «f beautiful human notes, all produced with an ease and control that made one feel that Miss Osborn's training must be complete. She infused into her singing co much beauty that her audience was carried away completely. Her programme items were "A Fantasy" (G. Williams), "Tip-toe" (Molly Carew), and "Lo, Here the Gentle Lark" (Bishop), with flute obbligato by Mr. Dick. The last-named was * triumph for Miss Osborn, and tk» keenest delight was expressed-sby the .audience. The singer very generously gave many encores—the "Kookooburra," "Butterflies,'.' "Love waft once a Little Boy" (sung unaccompanied), "Lilac Tree," and the "Pi*es> of Pan." Miss Osbom has not only won her way to the hearts of the people here, but a great many feel tihat they would like to hear her again, and it is to be hoped that she wilt be able to return in the near future. Miss Joll, who accompanied the artist, played with excellent expulsion, and is to be congratulated on her work. Mr. Walter Fennell, L.A.8., was in very good form, and sang two Indian Love Lyrics by Amy Woodforde-Finden—-"Kashmiri Song", and "Till I Awake." He was accompanied by the orchestra, which played a trifle too loudly in parts, but ■ the splendid quality of Mr. Fenneli'js voice Appealed to the audience, and he had to respond, repeating one of the songs. The orchestra, which was assisted by several members of the Stratford Orchestra, showed decided improvement in its work,, and there was much evidence that •members hare been paying careful attention' to their practices. There was a brispngss and brightness about the orchestra's work that one was very pleased to note, and though there were a few mistakes, the orchestra and the conductor (Mr. F_ H. .Ollerenshaw) deserve, praise for the marked, progress shown. A rounder tone could with advantage be aimed at, and one or two of the violinists would improve the general effect by exercising more care in tuning their strings. The orchestra played Lach- , mer's "The Four Ages of Man," Benyon's "Dance of the Roses," "Dance of the Pansies," and "Dance of the Daisies," Suppe's "Jolly Robbers," Flotow's "Stradella," and Balfe's "oie^e'of Roc-helle,'' the Benyon oollectioii and the Suppe number being perhaps the most successful. The audience was delighted with the orchestra, and the combination had to respond to encores. Mr. Gilmore played the piano accompaniments lor the orchestra,; A departure was made in the presentation of a string sextette "Joseph" (Mehul), the following comprising the sextette; Mesdames Quin, French, and Nurse Dix, and Misses Barker, Ingram and Dolan; piano, Miss Homer. The sextette was interesting, but there were signs of hesitancy and a lack of confidnce, but the effort haa paved the way to future work of the kind, and no doubt the members of the sextette will have an opportunity at later concerts. String quartettes and sextettes provide splendid practice, and it is to be honed that further work will be done in this direction. ; The concert as a whole was one of the best ever given in Hawera, and the delighted audience hope that Miss Osborn, Mr. Fennell, and the orchestra may offer them of their best again on some future occasion. SOCIAL EVENING. , At the invitation of the president, the members of the Orchestral Society, with Miss Osborn, visiting members of the Stratford Orchestra, New Plymouth Male Choir, and the> committee of the Hawera Male Choir* foregathered at the Carlton Tea Rooms. Mr. Townsend, in proposing Miss Osborh's health, eulogised her work of the evening, and voiced the opinion that she approached Madame Adelina Patti as he remembered her. He also referred to Miss Joll's, fine accompanying work, and to the great asiistance given the orchestra by the members of the Stratford Society. Mr, Thompson, president of the New Plymouth Male Choir, expressed the pleasure he had derived from being able to be present, and mentioned that the fact that Miss Osborn was giving repeat concerts wherever she had appeared and that s&» >a» being; retained by various societiel for "The Messiah" spoke for itself. He called on Mr. McLeod, conductor of the New Plymouth Male Choir, to say a few words. Mr. McLeod stressed the need for individual practice by musicians generally, and thought Hawera was to be congratulated on having such a fine orchestra and such a keen conductor' (Mr. Ollerenshaw). He nfso expressed - the opinion that in Miss Joll the MaleChoir had a veritable treasure, •'arid' humorously referred to the fact -that th« Male Choir seemed to stick to. a> lady accompanist. He bjoped to be? able to re-form ant orchestra at. New Plymouth. *•>. -^ , Mr. Ollerenshaw, in speaking, . r«V ferred to- the very great assistance given by the members of the Stratford Orchestra, specially mentioning the. conductor of the society, who plared with the seconds that evening, thus. showing thfc goodfellowship existing between, the societies. . ; During the evening Miss? Osbo(t{ gave, an item, and Mr. Lester a '«$11» sol^j, which were much appreciated.^/^. . 'A very pleasant evening terniinal&&! at atfout 11.30 with 4&sdUsmS£& Syne." ■" " ' $W^^9fWsi