OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10033, 21 January 1896, Page 5

OPERA HOUSE.

MADAME STEINHAUER'S CONCERT ' COMPANY. The re-appearance here of Madame Steinhauor, better known to tho Auckland public as Madame Bahnson, was a feature in the concorb world which was recognised last night by many of those who had rocolloctions of the charming songstross. The members of the company collectod to support Madame Steinhauer wero brought together with treat care, and a programme was presented which did crodit to the management. A capital trio for piano, clarinet, and flute brought dub Some of our best instrumentalists, and Miss Harding (pianist), Mr. S. Jackson (clarinet), and Air, Percy McKean (flautist) opened the programme. Ib was a fine number, ' worthy of a good programme. Miss ReginaNagel wasintroduced as a contralto, and she sang Sainton Dolby's song, "Out on the Rocks," with such a voice as has been seldom hoard hero. Ib was a revolution, thoroughly musical, elegantly artistic. Miss Nagel showed a marvellous compass of voice. It is almost masculine in its power, but ib is true and rich. Every note is distinct and clear. In answer to an oncoro Alias Nagel sang " The Fog BelL" Tho audience recognised the great compass of tho lady's voice, as woll as iho expressive trill which was introduced at intervals. It was, however, in Sullivan's " Lost Chord" that this young soiiKstross achieved her greatest success, It was a masterpiece of musical expression and great in intensity, and ib was full of musical charm. Subsequently Mies' Nagel sang "Tears," (Cowen), another number for which her voice is well adapted. Madame Steinhauer never appeared beforo the Auckland public to greater advantage than on this occasion. Her stage presonco, hor demeanour, and above all that splendidlycontrolled voico of hers, were at their best, although the selections may not havo been tho most suitable for a popular audience. The aria, " Softly Sighs, ("Dor Freischutz") is a magnificent number, one of Weber's best compositions, and nobly Madame rendered the ornate and dramatic music of tho recitative and scena. Ib was the German, not the English text of the libretto which was sung. ' But Madame was at her best. She was applauded to the echo, wan presented with bouquets in profusion, and notwithstanding her ropealed bows, she had to respond to an irresistible encore. She then sang "Puck's Clouds," to a clarinet accompaniment, and the refrain was rendered with artistic skill, and obtained for the singer another marked expression of applause. The aria "Bo Thou Faithful Unto Death," introduced Mr. Leigh Harris to Auckland. He |s the possessor of a very swoet sympathetic light tenor voice, of whioh he knows how to make the best use, and he was soon in sympathy with the audience. ' He was encored in his first number. Mons. De Williinoff made his mark ps a violinist of the first rank in a number of beautifu selections. The duo concerto, piano and clarinet, Miss Harding and Mr. 3. Jackson, was a charming selection, and Mr. Leigh Harris had to respond to an encore for his song, " Look Back." Madame Steinhauer scored her chief succoss in Gounod's grand arja, '! Ave Maria." As sung by Madame, with the obbligato accompaniment, it was exquisite and noble in its expression. Madame powod her acknowledgements repeatedly, and received the floral gifts sent to her, but the audience would take no doniul, and she had to re' npond to an encore. Madame subsequently sang "Good Morning" (Greig), "Slumber Song" (J. A. Mallin?on), and " Norwegian Mountain Song," arranged by Jenny Lind. Mr. J. Albert Mallinson played the accompaniments to one of f.he most enjoyable concerts that has been held in Auckland. We may mention that Miss' Regina Nagel and Mr. Lqigh Harris are pupils of Madame Steinhauer, and they certainly reflect credit on hor tuition. Two more concerts, one on Monday and the other on Tuesday, will bo given by the same artistes, and new programmes will bo introduced on each occasion, '