ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13649, 17 January 1908, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MADAME CLARA BUTT. THE FINAL CONCERT. Stanzas might bo written by poets 011 the grand rich notes in that one lino "The darkness deepens, Lord with mo abide!" as sung by Ma da mo Clara Butt at His Majesty's last evening, but sweeter than writton words are the memories retained, by those who heard her; she conquered all hearts with one .verse alone. The opening number of the great singer's programme was the celebrated largo " Ombra mai fu " (Handel), and she so naturally exercised her glorious gift of voice that the words conjured up visions for her hearers, dainty pictures of a reposeful valley, where the wild birds trilled and the winds, sighed softly. It was a triumph such as only a really great singer could ever hope to achieve. The closing words, " fc'oave piu," had scarce sounded ere a wild wave of applause rolled from auditorium to stage, and the large audience, which included the viceregal party, called again and again to the singer. Sho returned to sing Abide With Me," the associations of which endear it. to so many hearts. But it was not the hymn, it was the conventional setting, and in this respect there was some disappointment; still, the disappointment was forgotten and lost in the splondour of the rendering, plaintively sweet and simple, and' yet full, rich, and sonorous. In the second part of the concert the great contralto contributed " Tho Promise of Life" (Cowen), and it would bo difficult to imagine a number in which she couuld bo heard to bettor advantage, for it afforded her fullest play for her wonderful register, and the dramatic intensity of such lines as " There is no day but hath it hour of pain " was a memory to treasure. Again, she presented a picture, 0110 of peace after storm, and tho

effect on her audience was almost weird, so completely jJid she concentrate the attention of her uearers. In response to enthusiastic cheering, she responded with the dainty "II Segreto," with its laughing liquid notes, and the old favourite " Kathleen Mavournecn." Her concluding number was the duet with her husband, Mr. Kennerley Rumford, " Oh, That We Two Wore Maying." Still the audienoe longed to hear those voices again, and would not be satisfied till the singers came forward once more, this timo with the " Keys of the Heart" duet, a pretty, old favourite. And so madame said farewell to an Auckland audience.

Mr. Keunerlev Rumford's first number | was "The Sands of Dee" (Clay), and he; was also called back again and again. In 1 the second part he was heard to even better advantage in the latter of two songs"Last Year" (White), and the old Sicilian melody "Land of the Almond Blossom." So enthusiastic was the audience after the singing of the melody, that there was double encore. Mr. Carl Bar re, the violinist, played | an obligate to Madame Bute in " Ombra I mai fu," a duet with Mr. Merrick, and two i solos, "Rondo Capriccisso " (St. Sacns), and Hubay's " Plevna Nova," the iatter l>eing undoubtedly his fiinest performance of the season. Two piano solos were added by Mr. Frank Merrick, " Scherzo" (Chopin), and Debus soy's " Jardins Sous la Pline." During the evening Madame Butt was the recipient of a number of floral tributes and after the concert a large crowd waited to see her leave tho theatre. MR. WILLIAMSON'S COMPANY. " BREWSTER'S MILLIONS." This evening, at His Majesty's Theatre, Mr. J. C. Williamson will introduce to Auckland playgoers one of the latest of modern comedies, "Brewster's Millions." The l)ook of which this is a dramatised version is 0110 which had a very great fascination for readers, and it is said that tho comedy, taken as a whole, is one of the most successful produced i/n London for some timo past. In Dnnodin and Christ- ! church it is said to have proved one of the biggest theatrical " draws" Mr. Williamson j has ever presented to his patrons in those ; cities. Tho idea is a novel onethat of a millionaire bound to spend so much money, ! but whose spending, so far from diminishing his money, adds thereto. It is quite a reversal of the ordinary event of a young man coining into a fortune, and immediately proceeding to got rid of it in various way's. " But whilst this is so, all the ■events are said to work out naturally; only, instead of such risky ventures, as going into theatrical speculations, etc., involving loss, they come off with a profit. How Monty Brewster tries to got rid of his money _is the basis of the action of tho comedy, which is full of humorous points. There is also tho necessary interest of a love story introduced, which provides the romantic side. Tho manv friends of Mrs. Robert Brough will, 110 "doubt, take the opportunity of greeting her heartily on her reappearance here. ' The character she portrays is said to afford her plenty of scope for the display of her undoubted talent. Mr. Thomas Kingston has, in Monty Brewster, quite a different role from those in which ho was seen when last here. The other characters are in most capable hands. Tho great yacht scene, which is one of the sensations of the piece, is said to be the greatest triumph in the wav of stage mechanism yet produced. . Owing" to the extraordinary demand for scats for to-night's performance, extra rows of reserved stalls will be ope net. at Wft an and Arey's this morning. OPERA HOUSE. A largo attendance witnessed the performance of Fuller's Vaudeville Company at the Opera Bouse last evening. Melvin ana raw ley (sketch artistes), and Bert Sharpe 'vocal comedian) wero well received. Tho loleens (wire-walkers and sharpshooters) gave a clever exhibition, and Whl James, (banjoifit), was recalled for his items. Salmon and Chester, Joseph Smithson, and Malvena Moore also appeared, and some moving pictures of " Living Ireland " were shown. To-morrow night tho Three Raccoons and Gertie McLeod will contribute to the programme.