CHORAL HALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8470, 22 January 1891, Page 6

CHORAL HALL.

MISS ELS A MAY'S BENEFIT. In recognition of the high standing of Miss Elsa May in the musical and operatic world, some of the musical people of Auckland suggested the idea of tendering to the talented lady and her husband, Mr. Fairclough, a complimentary benefit during their residence in our city, in order to afford to the public an opportunity of again listening to her magnificent voice. The concert was entirely spontaneous, and was under local management, Messrs. Fredk. Karl, F. E. Baume, and Captain Thomas being the principals, and a most attractive programme was drawn up, lie Orchestral Union and the most prominent of our local instrumentalists and vocalists readily rendering their services. . But owing to counter attractions the Choral Hall was not so well filled as it ought to have been on an occasion of this sort, although there was what under ordinary circumstances would be considered a fair attendance. The Orchestral Union, which mustered in force under Mr. Hemus, Mr. Paque wielding the conductor's baton, gave as an overture "Pique Dame," and Miss Featon followed with a song, " 1 Hear Thee Speak of a Better Land," which eminently suited her expressive and soft mezzo soprano voice, and the violin obligato by Miss Buckland greatly enhanced the value of the number. Mr. Edwards, who was in fine voice, sang " By the Fountain," and he had to respond to an encore when he substituted a Venetian song in which he was equally successful. The next number introduced the Prima Donna in Gounod's glorious masterpiece, " Ave Maria." Her entry was tho signal for prolonged applause. In the air she was accompanied on the piano and organ, Miss Buckland playing a violin obligato, and the harmony throughout was exquisite. Miss May's pure and powerful soprano gave full expression to the magnificent and devotional music of the great masterpiece of the great Fronch composer. The music was rendered nob only with purity but with marked expression, and the audience which was spellbound till the dying cadenzas faded away gave vent to a hearty and spontaneous expression of applause. Not satisfied with this, an encore was demanded, and Miss May responded with '"The Power of Love" (Satanella). Subsequently Miss May sang the duet " O Maritana" in conjunction with Mr. Jackson. The voices blended harmoniously, and the duet was loudly applauded. Subsequently Miss May gave the scena " Softly Sighs," and at the end she appeared with Mi-. Edwards, and a chorus in the Miserere scene from "II Trovatore," and in every instance the audience recognised tho presence of the talented and gifted songstress who was before them. Miss Buckland's efficiency as a violinist have been so frequently acknowledged that it is only necessary to say she was at her best, and in the solo " Souvenirs de Bellini," a selection full of intricate passages, she displayed a knowledge of technique which is somewhat rare. Mr. Jackson was in fine voice, and in the duet with Miss May he acquitted himself very creditably indeed, but it was in the solo " The Message" that he achieved his greatest success. His sympathetic voice thoroughly vocalised the music, and he was warmly applauded. An encore was demanded, and could not be denied, and he substituted "The Memory of the Past." Mrs. Cooper made a feature of her selection, " When Sparrows Build," and was warmly received, as this talented lady invariably is. The orchestra was in good strength, and the overtures were well rendered, but the chief feature was the unique selection, " March Indienne," which was produced with rare dramatic effect. Mr. Fairclough contributed no inconsiderable portion to the success of the entertainment, his fine elocutionary powers giving magnificent expression to Lord Macaulay's " Henry of Navarre," Lord Tennyson's " Charge of the Light Brigade," and as an encore to the latter, " Before Harfieur " (Henry V.). Miss Harding was accompanist, and gave great satisfaction. Indeed the concert throughout was a musical treat of great merit, and creditable to all concerned.