THE URSO CONCERTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5756, 29 April 1880, Page 5

THE URSO CONCERTS.

The Theatre Royal was well filled la«t uifiht, on the occasion of Madame Urso's benefit, and the last appearance of herself and company in Auckland for some time to come. There are not a few who will hope that Madame L-rso may be induced to pay us another visit, although her peformances have not been rewarded with great pecuniary success on this occasion. Opinions may differ as to the position Madame tPrso is entitled to hold as a violinist, as compared with ft few artists in the front rank of the profession, but in Auckland here that question need not trouble us. We have heard the finest musical works interpreted by a great artist, and we are content. In selecting her programmes, Madame Urso has not been content to follow in the track of other executants, but has sought out for herself representative works of every school and nationality. We have heard selections from the works of the greatest masters from the time of the /■ennaUsance, when instrumental music was first cultivated as a separate branch of the art, to the pre sent day— Corelli to Mendelssohn, —and played in such a style that to begin to pick out blemishes would be hyper-criticism. Next to Madame Urso, Miss Sargeant has been the great attraction at those conccrts, and has delighted her audiences by her fresh voice and cultivated style. Her songs were always well chosen, and a few were genuine novelties. Miss Palmer invariably pleased lier audiences, but her style lacks refinement, and her voice frequently proves unmanageable. She woi;ld do well to avoid songs associated with the names of the greatest artists. II Segreto and Quando ate Lieta, for instance. Mr. Sauret has been sadly handicapped in his instrument, which he has coaxed and tbrashed alternately in a vain endeavour to get some tone out of it, but his playing of the Chopin selections were altogether charming, and showed that he is a thorough artist. Mr. Scherek has proved a model accompanyist, and has done good service in the duos with Mr. Sauret with which each concert opened. Auckland will long remember the visit of Camilla Urso and her company, and many will join us in wishing them not good-bye, but au revoir. Madame Urso last night played seven pieces, including Adazio and Polonaise, by Wieniawski. a Minuet by Boceherinl, Pa.anini's arrangement of the Prayer from Moses in Egypt, and The Carnival.