MADAME MELBA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12210, 4 March 1903, Page 5

MADAME MELBA.

FIRST CONCERT IN THE OPERA HOUSE.

The Opera House was well filled in all parts last night by a representative audience, on the occasion of Madame Melba's first Auckland concert. During the earlier part of the evening there was a great crowd in the street outside the theatre, several hundreds remaining until the end of the concert in the hopes of hearing through the open Windows the diva's voice. Madame Melba Was instantly recognised by the crowd as she was driven up Wellesley-street and round to the stage door. There was a rUsh to obtain a view of her as she alighted from her carriage, and it took six policemen all their time to keep back the surging, cheering, and enthusiastic mob, so that Madame Melba might have passage-way to the stage. As it was, her carriage came near being overturned. Inside the house there was eager expectation in the air, and as the first three items oh the programme dwindled away into the nevermore people whispered to their neighbours-, "It Melba now/' arid the excitement broke out into an infectious buzz of animated and expectant sentences. Then Madame Melba appeared at the back of the stage. She presented a. dazzling picture of comely womanhood, garbed in an exquisite evening dress gem of the dressmaker's artof light gray satin, lavishly embroidered with pale pink roses and patterns of gold-work. There was the gleam of many a diamond from her faultlessly-cut bodice, and a. magnificent necklace formed of the same sparkling jewels encircled her throat. As the diva came forward there was an instant's pause, which gave way to an enthusiastic outburst of welcoming applause, lasting until her accompanist had well nigh played the symphony to Madame's opening number. Thte diva displayed a perfect composure, and several times acknowledged her warm reception by a smiling inclination of the bead. The potency of a gifted woman's voice was, in this preliminary welcome, and in the extraordinary enthusiasm which followed, amply demonstrated. Surely, too, the same power had proof in the gathering of the people outside the theatre, as already referred to. The whole scene within the house and without was an eloquent testimony to the ingrained love of the divine art of music, which is part and parcel of human nature.

" What of Melba's voice?" it will be asked. This much then. It is the loveliest voice that has been heard in New Zealand, a voice of such rare beautiful quality that it has no peer in Europe, and one that for flawless perfection may never have an equal. Melba, gifted so by Nature in the first place; has by dint of long years of patient study and the' finest training, won her way to the highest place a, woman's voice can bruit, her to, and is to-day accredited by the ablest critics in the world as being the, best of living singers. The vocal numbers which the diva sang last night were admirably chosen to show off the many marvellous beauties of her voice, and the impression made upon her audience was electrifying. Shte showed herself a past-mistress of technique, her phrasing was perfection itself, whilst in the arts of respiration and enunciation her performance was a revelation. Her florid music was delivered in liquid cadences, which flowed as easily from her lips as rippling waters flow in stone-strewn brooks. There is little in the art of embellishment that Melba fails in bringing to her aid, indeed, her methods generally are educative in the extreme, and beyond a doubt she sets a standard that hitherto out here we have not dreamed of. Not the least Wonderful part of Madame Melba's singing lies in the fact that whilst her voice has not in itself that melting quality of pathos which appeals to the soul, that emotional power which could bring tears into her listeners' eyes, she yet possesses to a remarkable degree, the expressive power which all but makes up for it. This quality of her singling is most noticeable in her use of the mezzo voce wherein her tone is sweet and true, and pure. In dramatic pinging she displays superb control of her beautiful voice, every note of which is produced in full round tones, clear, and softly penetrating. She exercises a spell from which only the end of her song releases her hearers, arid the polished radiance of her voice strikes deep into the senses. It is a privilege arid a; pleasure to have heard Madame Melba in her prime; it is with keen appreciation of them that her songs are relegated to their sphere as valued memories. ' Madame Melba introduced herself in Donizetti's aria, " Ardon Gl'incense," from " Lucia." She sang the number . faultlessly, and with rare facility of vocalisation, its beautiful cadenzas being executed with consummate art. The flute obligato by Mr. Frederick Griffiths, did not enhance the effect of, the item. The gifted singer was repeatedly recalled at the close of the aria, and three handsome floral tributes were passed up to her, one being the offering of His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Alfred Kidd), who was amongst the audience. So deafening and prolonged was the applause that Madame Melba at last generously conceded the encore, giving an exquisitely expressive rendering of Guy D'Hardelot's ballad, "Three Green Bonnets," in which the singer made a fine effect, particularly in the final pathetic passage. Melba's next contribution was Thomas' magnificent atia from " Hamlet," " Ophelia's Mad Scene." Here she had an opportunity of displaying her brilliant dramatic powers, arid, so .magnificent was her performance that she created nothing short of a sensation. Every test of the voice wellnigh which the composer could conceive is contained in this great number, and to succeed in holding her listeners spellbound whilst she sings it, is possible only to the great artiste. Nothing finer in the vocal art than Melba's rendering of it could be realised. Certainly it was her best effort, and to a superlative degree beyond anything ever heard in this city for incomparable excellence. .The cultured cantatrice was recalled no less than six times after this number, the audience waxing more and more enthusiastic as she bowed on each occasion. When Madame at last came forward to Supplement the aria with an encore number the delight Of those in front again broke bounds, and prolonged applause ensued. She sang in a gay and dainty manner, the favourite ballad, "Comin' Thro' the Rye," which intensely pleased her gratified audience. . Arditi's lovely song, "Se Saran Rose," was the diva's final programme number, and in it she renewed the pleasure of those present by the charming rendering she gave it Another enthusiastic demonstration followed, and the audience retained their seats, counting upon Melba's generosity to give them one more song. The applause which recalled her four times was intermingled with loud " hurrahs " as the diva graciously came forward with an encore number. This proved to be lostis "Good-bye," • which was sung with indescribable expression, . and sent her listeners away wishing that there had been one more verse to hear her sing it so " . -The remainder of the programme was contributed by artistes of more or less ability. , Miss Llva Rogers, possessor of a pleasing contralto voice, was encored for her rendering of "Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lompnd." Miss Llewfella Davies End Miss Natalie Dawson showed & high standard of proficiency as pianists, their duet for two pianos, Raff's. Tarahtelle," being heartily applauded. " Miss Davies was also successful in her piano solo, " Midsummer Night's Dream (Mendelssohn-Liszt). , -.. Signorina Sassoi: proved herself a harpist of • marked ability, and won speedy recognition as such, The youhk artiste was roundly applauded and recalled for her first contribution " Nordishe Ballade" (Poenitz), whilst her second, Hasselman's "Yalse'de Concert," was so well played as.to result in an imperative, encore. Mr. Walter Kirby, a tenor vocalist, one time of Auckland, was given a hearty reception. , His voice, which has evidently been admirably developed and trained siijtte last he appeared in this city, was generally pronounced upon in favourable terms. Its quality is decidedly good and very musical, and Mi. Kij-by sings with a depth of expression Somewhat rare in young vocalists. The impression left by his singing in addition to bfeiiig a pleasant one, was such as to lead to the opinion that Mr. Kirby has a most promising future before him. ./ His ,programme numbers last • night , were Godard's " Angels Guard Thee" and Clay's I'll Sing Thee Songs oi Araby." His rendering of both was excellentand to the latter he added an encore number. s Mr. Frederick Griffith; , thte\? flautist fof the company, 1 contributed Andersen's / " Ungarische Fantasia;" The accompaniments were shared ■■■: by ; Misses Llewella Davids and * 'N&ilieS,-Dawson. Madame Melba's second fconcert will take place 10-morrow night, on which-occasion there will bd an (siltire. change of programme.