ALFRED O’SHEA

Northern Advocate, 4 July 1928, Page 4

ALFRED O’SHEA

IRISH TENOR’S VISIT TO WHANGAREI.

A MEMORABLE CONCERT.

A concert which will long be remom- ! bored by all who were privileged to participate in it was held in the Town Hall last evening, when Mr Alfred O’Shea, the far famed tenor, made his first appearance in Whangarei, The people of town and district rose to the occasion, and the result was a crowded theatre, the audience being the largest seen at a local concert. A glance at Bank Street just before 8 o’clock sufficed -to show that something unusual was happening, motor cars lining both sides of the highway from its junction with Cameron Street to the vicinity of Vinery Lane. This spoke of the wide area represented by the audience which assembled to hear Mr O’Shea, people coming from all parts of the north. It was indeed a pleasure to note that such a convincing effort had boon made to put Whangarei on the map so far as world famed artists are concerned. And the occasion was sure- 1 ly worthy the effort, for the concert given by Mr O’Shea and his supporting artists provided a veritable feast of music. The big audience was not slow to show its appreciation of-the offering, and enthusiams ran to the point where it almost merged into unfairness, so many were the songs Mr O’Shea was asked to sing. The big tenor was the essence of good nature, and responded again and again to the calls for more, singing no less than seventeen numbers. Mr O ’Shea, though making his initial appearance, was no stranger to the great majority of his audience, the gramophone having introduced him to their homos. It was this introduction which made so many anxious to see and hear a singer who, as it were, had been hitherto only a record, albeit a very delightful one. Mr O’Shea possesses a remarkably fine tenor voice of big range and exquisite sweetness, though there was evidence of tiredness last evening due to the over-generousness of the singer. In some of the bigger numbers last, evening he demonstrated his vocal virility, but it was in the simpler songs, which really constitute the supreme test of a singer, that Mr O’Shea’s ability was fully exhibited. He gave a lengthy and varied selection of this class of song last evening, and this accounted to a largo extent for the popularity of the concert, for there is no doubt that it is the songs which touch the heart, rather than those which merely appeal to the ear, which, after all, claim the largest audience. But, when that has been said, it must also bo added that Mr O’Shea last evening provided ample opportunities to prove his undoubted standing in the realm of grand opera. His first number was rthe famous Poet’s Song from "La Boheme,” an acknowledged test piece for a tenor. He gave a very fine rendering of the number and at once captured his audience. Mr O’Shea also sang with great acceptance another famous tenor test, "La Donna E Mobile,” from "Bigoletto,” as well as an excerpt from the first act of this great opera by Verdi. These operatic gems were a rare delight. So was "Angels Guard Thee,” a glorious number with violin obligato by Miss Claire Hartge.

Gems of old Irish song which wore sung with just the spirit and sweetness required of each were: "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms, ’’ "The Low-backed Car," ".Molly Brannigan" and "Wearing of the Green." Another gem of Irish melody was "The Fairy Talcs of Ireland." This was greatly enjoyed, as were "Macushla" and "Mother Machree." .Another song which revived old memories was "Ben Bolt," sung with much tenderness. The programme was greatly enriched by the singing of "When Song is .Sweet," "My Desire," "Life and Death," "Annie Laurie," "Home Sweet Home,” "A Dream," and " Over the Rim of the Moon. ’ ’ Each of these was sung as only Mr O’Shea can sing it, and, with the other numbers to which reference has been made, roused the audience to great enthusiasm, Mr O’Shea announced that "Home Sweet Home" would bo his concluding item, but the audience would not bo content with repeated reappearances to ibow acknowledgments, the singer eventually having to submit twice to the continued applause. Finally, he humorously remarked that he would sing "I Hear You Calling Me," but in response to a special re quest he sang "The Wearing of the Green," thus concluding a memorable concert.

Mr O’Shea is supported by two artistes of outstanding ability, and their contributions in themselves were worth going a long way to hear. Miss Claire Hartge is a talented violiniste, whose playing charmed the audience. Her first number was Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance, No. 2,” and in response to a recall she played with great delicacy “.Souvenir.” In the second part of the programme she gave a very fine rendering of Schubert’s “Ave Maria.” A double encore followed, “Poemo Hongroi.se” and “Swannee River” being played. Miss Kathleen Fitzgerald is a very fine solo pianiste and accompanist. She had a very heavy task, which she performed with credit to herself and pleasure to the audience. Her numbers were Chopin’s “Ballade in A. Flat” and the first movement of Beethoven’s “Apassionata Sonata.” In deference to the wishes of the audience she played as encore numbers (Kargnoff) and “Romp” (York Bowen). The concert W’as an unquestionable success from every point of view, and Mr O’Shea may rely upon a warm welcome should he visit Whangarei again.'