OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10035, 23 January 1896, Page 5

OPERA HOUSE.

THE BERLIN COURT SINGERS. The second conoert of the season was given in the Opera House last night, and there was a well-filled dress circle to greet the company, although the popular parts of the house were not so full as the merits of the concert warranted, The vocal selections were entirely given by Frau Margarethe Von Vahsel and Herr Rudolf Schnialfeld, and a most charming programme was arranged, the whole of the items, with a single exception, being new to Auckland audiences. In the vocal duet, "Cavalleria Kusticana" (Mascagni), they had a difficult, trying seleotion, and although Horr Schmalfield was in somewhat better voice than on his first) appearance, it was manifest that ho was not in his very best form, and that he sang with an effort, Frau Margarethe more than sustained her previous successes for she rendered the music with great power and musical effect, the rioh timbre of her cultured voice being more than equal to the requirements of the selection. The voices blended harmoniously and both singers wore applauded and had to bow their acknowledgements. The first solo sung by Frau Margarethe, was the waltz song, "Oh What Delight" (Bohm), a beautiful composition through which there runs a rich trill, and this the lady interpreted with charming expression, earning for herself a burst of hearty applause as well as a demand for an encore, to which she responded substituting the pretty ballad " Long, Long Ago." The Melodia "Musica Proibita " (Gaetalclon) was another number which afforded Frau Margarethe an opportunity for the display of the great range and compass of her voice, and her power in sustaining the higher notes especially. The grand aria, "Hans oiling," from Marsohner's opera, whs heard for the first time in public in New Zealand. The music is ornate, but very expressive, and requires a great range as well as high culture, but it was given brilliant effect to by the lady, who was supported by a full orchestral accompaniment, and she was again the recipient of rounds of applause and a magnificent bouquet. Her other solo selections were two charming ballads, "The Answer" (Bohn) and "The Birthday Song" (Sachs), and she was so successful that no denial,would be takon, and sho had to respond to an encore for the latter. Herr Schmalfeld sang the aria, "Springtime," from Wagners opera, "Walkure," with great expression and care, although it was a most trying soleotion for one suffering from a cold, and he was deservedly applauded; and in the duets, " Now art Thou Mine Own" and "Passage Birds Farowell" (Hildach), he fully sustained 'his part in the music with" Frau Margarethe. The Orchestral Union played two selections, the overture" Cheval do Bronze" (Auber) and the rhapsodie " Norvegionne" (Svensen), in a manner which reflected credit on their skill as a body of Musicians, and on their conductor, Mr. Towuey, and their leader, M. de Wlllimoff 5 while the piano solos, "Polonaise in A" (Chopin) and "Spinnlied" (Litolff), played by. Miss Mcßurney, showed her to be an, accomplished musician," and the audience were not slow to recognise her merits, for she was warmly applauded on eaoh occasion,