EDNA THOMAS

Northern Advocate, 18 June 1925, Page 4

EDNA THOMAS

NEXT WEEK'S CONCERTS,

Two character and costume recitals will be given in the Whangarei Towii Hall next Monday and Tuesday by 'Miss Edna Thomas, "The Lady from j Louisiana," under the direction of E. J*. Carroll. Miss Thomas wears the costume of the 60's, not merely because she can carry it off and looks charmbut also it sets at once the not 9 of a period at which these songs were in their prime. Some of these songs have been compared by an eminent London musical critic to those of Brahm and Beyrd. Among the spirituals, "Go Down, Death," "Were You There?" and the Tennessee variant of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," are among the most moving. Not only are the melodies exxtraordinarily beautiful, but the words are full of poetry and perfectly set to music. The cradle songs are entirely different in spirit. They are the work of slaves owned by French settlers, mostly younger sons of the aristocrtcy. Some of the tunes are like the traditional chansons collected by Weckerhn, some resemble the best kind of music-hall song; and on the other hand there is "Lisette," which might be a minuet by Gluck.

The box plans are now open at Blanshard's where a good demand for seats has already taken place, and there is sure to be a crowded house to welcome this distinguished artist to Whangarei.