THE CONCERT SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9335, 19 October 1893, Page 5

THE CONCERT SEASON.

THE PALMER-BEAUMONT COMPANY. Auckland is now being favoured with a visit which will be marked in red letters in musical circles, the Palmer-Beaumont Concert Company being a' concert organisation unequalled in Australasia. Mrs, Palmer, whose reputation as an artist is of the widest, is the oldest daughter of Madame Carandini, by whom she was trained. Ab the age of 20 she commenced her professional career travelling with her mother, and giving concerts throughout Australia. Later on they were joined by another sister, and several times visited New Zealand. During one of these visits, and in Auckland, they were joined by two other talented sisters, one of whom is now Lady Campbell, of Wellington, and the other Lady Moreland. Mrs. Palmer has many pleasant recollections of her former visits to Auckland. After singing all through the Australian colonies and New Zealand, the family—they were known and are well remembered as the Carandini Family—went to America, Mrs. Palmer by this time having taken a high position in her profession. In San Francisco she voluntarily placed herself under test. With a view to seeing whether the system on which she had been taught was correct, she placed herself under the great Mancusi, who, however, when he was asked to give her lessons, replied " What do you want of me; I have heard you ; you are an artist ; I have nothing to teach you." Seven successful months were spent in America, and then return was made to Australia. Here, in Melbourne, Mrs. Palmer settled down as a resident teacher with an interim of a couple of years' residence in Christchurch and occassional visits to the other colonies in fulfilment of professional engagements. In Melbourne, Mrs. Palmer is undoubtedly at the head of her profession, all the principal soprano engagements particularly in oratorio falling to her. One incident may here be related of her. It will certainly be read with great interest, and to musicians will speak more eloquently of her high attainments than perhaps aught else. She was taking part in Gounod's greab work, i " Mors et Vita," Mr. Beaumont being the tenor ; he was indisposed, and for once his voice failed him. Mrs. Palmer at once took up his solo parts in the quartettes, and sang them, as well as her own, so perfectly and admirably that those present who had not the score before them knew hot that anything was unusuala reading at sight performance which anyone who knows Gounod's work will admit was the severest test that could be undergone by any artist. No wonder such a thing has even yet not been forgotten. As an operatic artist she would have shone, as those who saw her Arline in the " Bohemian " still testify; her domestic and social duties, however, prevented her pursuing that branch of the profession. And perhaps it was as well; the wear and tear of operatic singing oftentimes plays sad havoo with the finest voices, while Mrs. Palmer's ab the present day is as pure and powerful as ever. Miss Maggie Stirling is a young artist possessing a pure mezzo-soprano voice, and having been well trained her range and facility of execution are bound to bring her success. Though but five years in the profession of her choice she has already made her mark, particularly in Melbourne, Ballarat, and Geelong, the last-named her birthplace. She was a pupil of Madame Lucy Chambers, and latterly of Signor Cecchi, Melba's master ; she possesses withal the advantage of an excellent presence. Mr. Beaumont is admittedly the finest tenor south of the line. In opera alone he has sung over 70 principal tenor parts, besides constantly singing in oratorio. He has several times visited New Zealand with operatic companies, the last time being with Madame Christian seven years ago, the " muchtravelled Sraythe" being then manager. Some years ago he visited America and then Australia was nearly losing. him. . He was about engaging himself to the world-known impresario Carl Rosa, when Mr. Lyster, who was in London engaging an Italian Opera Company, insisted upon Mr. Beaumont's return to Melbourne. Mr. A. H. Gee, who since his arrival from England twelve years ago lias held a leading position as baritone in all the chief musical centres of Australia, has a voice so well trained and so admirably under control that critics all agree as to its quality and the expressiveness with which Mr. Gee is able to invest it. Coming to the instrumentalists, Mr. Walter T. Barker has a name and fame as a harpist wherever the instrument is known. In Wales, where the harp is national, his name is familiar to everyone. Early he distinguished himself at the Bisteddfodau, or gatherings of the bards, and so singularly clever was he that he was sent to the Royal Academy of Music, where he was placed under the tuition of Mr. Thomas (the Queen harpist), whose bardic title is Pencerdd Gwalia or Gwalia's chief harpist. At the Royal Academy Mr. Barker took the bronze and silver medals and certificate for merit and the medals for harmony. He then went to America for twelve months, afterwards crossing the Pacific to join the Victorian orchestra. In his hands the harp, sweetest and most ancient of all instruments, is in the hands of a master. Last, but nob least, is Mr. j John Lommone, the eminent flautist, who is unapproachable for technique. Four concerts will be given by this superb organisation, the first being this evening at the Opera House. After the concert on Monday the company proceeds South on a short tour.

The third orchestral concert of the season of the Auckland Choral Societytakes place this evening in the Choral Hall. A splendid programme has been prepared, which should satisfy even the most exacting. A funeral march will be played during the evening, out) of respect to the memory of the late M. Gounod, the eminent composer. Miss Reeve will contribute, "Had I Bub Known," by Denza, and Molloy's well-known song, " The Carnival," Professor Schmitt playing the obligato to the latter item. lb is announced that tho fourth annual recital of sacred music will take place in St. Andrew's Church, Lower Symondsstreeb, on Monday evening next. The choir will be assisted by a full orchestra and orpan. A collection is to be taken up in aid of the church debt.

A sacred recital is announced elsewhere to take place at Sb. Alban'e Church this evening, when Miss Warren, Mr. Tytherleigh, and other well-known amateurs will take part. There will be a collection in aid of painting the church. This evening a service of song, entitled "The History of the Salvation Army," will be produced for the first time in Auckland in the Salvation Army Barracks, Albert-street. The songs and music are the composition of Staff-Captain Slater, the head of the Army's Musical Department in London, and the connective readings have been compiled by Staff-Captain Grinling.