MADAME STEELING AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9238, 28 June 1893, Page 5

MADAME STEELING AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

OPENING NIGHT. Assisted by a concert company of four members, Madame Antoinette Sterling, the celebrated cantalrice, opened her New Zealand season at the Opera House last night, and was accorded a most enthusiastic and triumphanb welcome. The spacious building Was crowded in every part with a large and critical assemblage, who came to pay homage to the distinguished visitor whose fame had preceded her. For a considerable time past the advent of Madame Sterling had been eagerly looked forward to by the publio generally, and more particularly in musical circles. As a result, a greab deal was expected of her. Ib is needless to say, however, that the expectations were fully realised. From first to last the immense popularity of the celebrated songstress was made manifest in every possible way. She was called forward again and again, and received a profusion of floral gifts. Her pure sympathetic voice, artistic method, and attractive manner at once won for the singer the sympathy of the audience. Madame Sterling is the possessor of a rich contralto voice of resonant timbrt and exceptional range, with a compass from E flab in the bass stave to the top F in the treble clef. Her means are under perfect control, and her vocalisation is of the most finished order.* Though Madame Sterling's forte is in ballad singing, to this class of music she does nob entirely confine herself, for herrepertoire consists of songs from Bach, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and other wellknown masters. The weird and tender ballad of Hullah, "The Three Fishers," was selected as the opening piece. A more suitable choice could hardly have been made, as ib served well to show the beauty of the singer's voice, and her power of expression. As the great Boloisb came forward she received quite an ovation which lasted some time, whilsb Madame Sterling repeatedly bowed. She ' was in magnificent voice, and sang throughout in a manner which must have eclipsed the highest anticipation of those present. The solo was given with a feeling of melancholy sadness, and created such a sensation thab the audience insisted in recalling the executant three times. She then sang most quaintly the song "A Life's Lesson." lb was, however, in the fine song of Sir Arthur Sullivan, "The Lost Chord," which was specially composed for the singer, that Madame Sterling achieved her greatest success. A finer interpretation could not be conceived, and the audience listened in breathless silence until her tones died away. The grandeur of expression given to the second verse, "It Flooded the Crimson Twilight," was irreproachable, and the part "lb May be that Death's Bright Angel" was rendered in a grand and elevated style, with justness and precision, whilsb the climax of dramatic feeling was reached at the final " Amen " and the purity of tone in the low chest note were features of the performance. In response to an enthusiastic encore, she repeated the latter portion of the song. In the old Scotch melody, " We're a' Noddin'," she was equally successful; and, la reply to a persistent recall, contributed another Scotch air, Up in the Morning Early." No doubt the pleasure derived from Madame Sterling's efforts is due to the earnestness and extreme feeling that she throws into her singing. Every word is made to tell, and is clearly enunciated, and great dramatic force is given to her conceptions. Madame Sterling is assisted by Miss Isabel Webster, soprano ; Mr. James Wood, tenor ; Mr. H. R. Holder, bass; and Miss May Habgood, solo pianiste. Miss Webster has a fine soprano voice of good quality and range. Her manner and stage appearance is pleasing and winning. The first solo in which she was heard was thab beautiful air of Gounod, " Nella Calma," which suited her voice admirably and displayed her welltrained voice to greab advantage*- The scale and chromatic passages were given with ease and agility, and the head notes rang ou b most clearly, and were attacked with great precision. Ab the conclusion of the song she was recalled, and then sang Balfe's popular song, " Killarney." In the second parb, for her successful singing of Macfarren's ballad, "The Beating of My Own Heart," she was the recipient of much applause, and had to reply to a double encore. Mr. James Wood, the tenor of the company, contributed materially to the programme, and sang all through with care and good judgment. His voice is of pleasant quality, round and full, and is well under control. A very successful rendering of the cavatina from Gounod's opera, "Faust," " Salve Dimora," and an evening song by Blumonthal, was given. Mr. Holder, the bass, gave great satisfaction ; though suffering from hoarseness, he managed very well. His voice is a powerful one, and his method and style is of a finished nature. Mr. Holder's first solo was baken from Gounod's opera, " Reine de Saba." "She Alone Charmeth My Sadness." The song is an exacting one, and requires a voice thab can deliver ib with power and volubility. He proved himself equal to the task, and gave a capital rendering of ' the song. Mosb effective were the low notes of the chest, and his phrasing and articulation were all that could be desired. The popular German air "In Sheltered Vale," received a most imEressive and artistic delivery. Miss May [abgood, the pianist, gave with" greab firmness and power Listz's "Rhapsodic Hongroise" No. 11., and deserves unqualified praise for a well- sustained level of excellence, and for the intelligent spirit wherewith the composer's intentions were realised. The solo . abounds with great difficulties, but these were overcome with the utmost ease. Her technique is of the very highest order, and she produces from the instrument a beautiful singing quality Of tone, She was equally successful in an arrangemenb of Scotch airs for piano by Harvey, and accompanied during the concert with great acceptance. The concert concluded with the trio " Belisario" (Donizetti), sung by Miss Webster, and Messrs. Wood and Holder. Madame Sterling wore a handsome gown of white brocaded velvet with an immense train, trimmed with bear fur and lace. Miss Webster appeared in a becoming {'own of white silk, and Miss May Habgood looked quite nice in a yellow silk with grey plush cape. To-night Madame Sterling gives her second and last) concert ab>he Opera House.