ERNEST DRAKE CONCERT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3091, 11 August 1914, Page 5

ERNEST DRAKE CONCERT.

Comparisons over a lengthened period are somewhat difficult to make, and liable to error, but we think it may be said with accuracy that never in the history of our township has a more talented combination visited us than the Ernest Drake Company of artiste, who gave a concert in the Town Hall on Saturday evening last. Unhappily, the night chosen being a business one, was not suitable for the majority of people and the attendance was therefore not what it would have otherwise been. Those, however, who found it convenient to be present, listened to a veritable "discourse of eloquent music." Throughout the programme a high standard of excellence was maintained, all the individual members furnishing evidence 01 unmistakeable talent and true artistry. The "star" of the evening was, of course, the distinguished young tenor vocalist, Mr Ernest Drake, who has won for himself the title of "New' Zealand's Caruso.' Possessed of a voice of remarkable purity, perfectly controlled, his phrassing, enunciation and interpretation indeed proved him to be all that is claimed for him. His first number was "I will await Thee (Coningsby Clarke), in which he was heard to much advantage; but the bracketed numbers "Invictus," a declamatory passage of Huhn's, showed his powers of vocalisation at their best. Being recalled he gave a delightful renderin? of "I hear You Calling; Me." Later in the evening Mr Drake sang "Mary of Argyle" with great delicacy and refinement, giving as an encore number a wonderful little ballad, "Mother MeChree. Bluinenthal's "An Evening Song" constitutes a very tine but Mr Drake was again more than equal to it. Miss Mabelle Esquilant, a young lady whose rich contralto voice has made a reputatation for her throughout the Dominion. was a great treat to listen to. Nature has indeed endowed her with a wonderful organ, particularly rich and round on the lower register, whilst her very pleasing stage presence is a valuable adjunct. Her items were "There's a Land' (Allitson), an Irish Lullaby by Needham, "Thoughts" and "A Little Golden Cross' (Philips)—the latter two being encore numbers. She was also heard with Mr Drake in the vocal duets, "It was a Lover and His Lass" (Newton) and "A Venetian Song" (encore number), both a delightful choice. The other cantatrice was Miss Mary Mitchell, L.A.8., a well-known Dunedin soprano with a glorious voice of fine tonal quality and register. She gave very artistic and refined renderings of Dudley' Buck's "When the Heart is Young" and "April Morn' (Batten). Her encore numbers were "Morning and You' (A 1 - wyn) and "1 know a Lovely Garden' (Guy D'Hardelot). She was also associated with Mr Drake in the duel "Where My Caravan lias Bested' and as an encore, "A Night in Venice." As popular, possibly, as any of the performers with the audience was Miss Irene Heywood, a charming little artist in short frocks, whoso graceful interpretations of her mu-i----cal sketches fairly captivated all hearts. She showed extraordinary histrionic, ability for her years. "Hush I Here comes the Dream Man' was her "star" item, and in response to an emphatic recall she sang'Tlie Regimental Pet." Later in the evenin? she appeared in "Grow, Little Mushroom, Grow" and for an encore

".My Little Chimney Sweep." Mr E. Hey wood. F.K.C.0., under whose direction the company appeared, played two pianoforte solos, in which he displayed much musicianly skill. The bracketed pieces, "Tarantelle in E Minor' and Valse in F" were his own compositions. "Dialogue' was one of Meyer-Helmund's. Mr Heywood also acted throughout ;is accompanist with much ta.ste. Prior to the commencement of the programme the audience were asked to rise and sing with the company the National Anthem.