AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17419, 5 March 1917, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

SELTNSKY-AMADIO CONIP ANY

FAREWELL CONCERT.

The Selinsky-;Amaclio Concert Company gave a farewell recital at. the Choral Hall on Saturday evening before a fairly large attendance, which included her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool. The audience was keen’y appreciative and rewarded, the- efforts of the artists most liberally, in some instances to the extent of triple encores. But these were thoroughly deserved. ,

M. Max Belinsky gave a very fine exposition of refined violin playing, and hie performances were artistic and instructive. His chief contribution was Edvard Grieg’s “.Sonata in C Minor,” played for the first time in Christchurch. It is an exceptionally difficult work and is full of interest for both performer and listener. The music is weird and romantic, and the'richness of melody and the entrancing harmonies are the product of Grieg’s ripened. genius and experience. The work has quite a remarkable piano accompaniment, which was played artistically by Miss Jessie Masson, adding to the more complete realisation and enjoyment of the audience, and contributing 'to the triumph of the general performance M. Selinsky’s programme numbers also included “ Melancolique ” (Tschaikowsky), “ Love’s Joy ,f (Kreisler) and “ Romance,” an exceedingly pretty and melodious composition by Mr R. A. Horne, of Christchurch, while as encores he contributed the Schubert-Wilh elm j “Ave Maria,” and Hubay’s “‘Hejre Kati.” Mr John Amadio created a sensation with his displays on the flute, and demonstrated, as he did during the previous visit of the company to this city, that he is an expressive interpreter of slow melody as well as a brilliant exponent of musical pyrotechnics. His programme numbers were Doppler’s “ Rhapsodie, Pastorale Hongroise” and Terschak’s morceau de concert “ Spring,” while among his many encores were Reichardt’s # remarkable illusion of . two flutes played by one instrument, and the national fantasia, in which Mr Amadio’s performance of the “ Marseillaise ” on a piccolo never fails to arouse: enthusiasm. Miss Elsy Treweek, the talented soprano vocalist, gave a refined and bright interpretation of the aria “Ah fors e lui,” from “La Traviata” (Verdi), and further enhanced her locally by her expressive singing of the prayer from “ La Tosca” (Puccini). Both solos were sung in Italian. As encores Miss Treweek sang a French chanson, “Le Roi D’Ys ” (Lalo), and. two English songs, “ The Cuckoo” and “O Thank Me Not-” Miss Masson, the solo pianist, gave a vigorous interpretation of Chopin’s “Polonaise in E-flat,” and as an encore Poldini’s dainty “ Valsette.” Her second programme number was Scriabine’s “Nocturne in D-flat,” a study for the left hand only, and as an encore the well-known Brahms “ Waltz.” She also played the accompaniments during the evening with marked ability.

OPERA HOUSE. Some high-class turns will be presented in tbe new programme to bo given at the Opera House tonight. First and foremost amongst the newcomers are Madame. Alverna, operatic soprano, and M. Jean Laerte, violinist, and oboeist. This talented qouplo will present one of the best musical offerings that has been given here for some time. Local vaudeville patrons will not have forgotten M'erlyn, the comedy juggler, and his assistant Archibald, their turn having been exceptionally well received on previous occasions here. The other newcomers include George Crotty, English revue comedian and eccentric dancer; the Caleys,. Scotch patter artists, and Winifred and Lum.ley, musical comedy toam. The artists remaining over . from last week’s programme are Fred Arthur, the popular lightcomedian, Saros tho Sculptor, Jennie M’Rae and Mark Erickson. Tho programme will run for six nights, with tho usual matinee on Saturday. “DAMAGED GOODS.” *“ Damaged Goods,” ito bo presented at the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening, under the J. C. Williamson management, is described as a very dramatic statement of a serious evil which lias been much discussed by legislators of late. When the play was produced in Wellington recently the “New Zealand Times” wrote: —“So for as the performance was concerned it must be acknowledged that some who came to scoff remained to pray. The performance was certainly strong enough to make some who went in a light-heanted vein ponder and -think very seriously. Mr Stephen Scanlan, as the doctor, had an exceedingly arduous part, though the art which he summoned to his aid enabled' him to disguise how hard a task he had to achieve. Mr Lewis Willoughby was Geox-ge Dupont, .the young man in trouble who marries in spit© of the

doctor’s orders. He -had an especially thankless vow to hoe. But he did his wo rig so well that he must be congratualted on what was, on the wholo, a very fine performance. Miss Alma Rock Phillips made an engaging Henriette, the wronged wife, and Miss Gwen Burrougrs was a dignified and stately mother-in-law. As the stolid nurse from the country who refuses to be contaminated by the tainted child, Miss Gertrude Boswell wap a distinct success. Mr Sydney Stirring was strong as M. Loches, the outraged ■father-in-law, and Miss Gwen Dorise gave a capital' character study ns a woman who has suffered and takes her revenge.” The company is the same as appeared during the Melbourne, Sydney. Wellington and Auckland seasons. The plans for the season are now on view at Messrs Milner and Thompeon’s.