MISS AINSLEY'S CONCERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13834, 21 August 1908, Page 6

MISS AINSLEY'S CONCERT.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE.

Before a full hall. Mis- Irene Ainsley, the well-known Auckland contralto, made her reappearance Inst evening, after an j absence in the Old World art centres ! covering a considerable period. Some four ' years have slipped away since Miss Ainsley left these shores with the intention j of pursuing a further course of vocalisation I under the world's most eminent instruc- j tors, and the result of her study under j such renowned teachers as Madame Mar- j ches! and Madame Fischei has naturally j been awaited with considerable interest, j

especially since it became known that her artistic course had been espoused in so practical a manner by no less an artist than Madame Melba. Auckland does not send Home a vocalist to win encomiums in the Old Land every day, and the potentialities of Miss Ainsley's vocal equipment were apparent to all those who profess an enthusiasm for matters musical. The mad to Parnassus is long and tortuous, and Miss Ainsley has doubtless laboured indefatigably to bring her art to its present condition. In addition to a well-trained voice of that velvety quality and resonance on the lower notes so- beloved of all contraltos, Miss' Ainsley possesses no inconsiderable degree of what is known as temperament," and her undoubted musical gifts are supplemented by an amount of intelligence in interpretation which is not displayed by every vocalist, be he or she never so highly trained. In most of her contributions last evening, while the. singer stimulated the aural faculties, the mental requirements were at the same time satisfied. Returning to the voice itself, some improvementis possible in the tone quality of the upper register, and last night's concert betrayed — through nervousness probably—an occasional lack of control as regards sustaining power on the higher notes. Miss A insley's diction is praiseworthy, whether singing in. her native or foreign tongues, and she has evidently given a vast amount of attention to this side of her art.

Just prior to Miss Ainsley's initial appearance the inevitable hush of expectancy crept over the large audience, and her subsequent coming on to the platform was marked by loud and prolonged plaudits. The first- number, Gluck's favourite, "Divinities du Styx," gave admirable opportunity for display of the robust tones of her voice, as well as artistic judgment, and in this Miss Ainsley scored a large measure of success, which was, however, to be augmented as the evening advanced. In Tosti's "Dopo," a fine breadth of tone and expression was secured, while in Barry's '' Invitation" the joyous message of the sony was charmingly delivered, the elastic tones of the voice,' as well as the play of the singer's features, contributing to the finished effect. The final programme number was Sullivan's " The Lost Chord," and in this Miss Ainsley's vocal volume was fully drawn upon. The rich, low tones rang.out with decision and the enunciation was. clear and convincing. The second verse was sung with commendable reserve of vocaj volume, and the closing climax was well worked up, the only weakness of effect being in the management of the voice mi ih< high not* sung to the* word "Heaven Miss Ain.dey's encore numbers v.v!-.- "LiW (Barry), "On the Banks of Allan Water," and "Annie Laurie." the latter being sung at the conclusion of the programme. During the evening s!je was the recipient of many beautiful floral offerings/ and most enthusiastic pppkuse was showered upon her. • Mr. Hamilton Hodges also contributed 10 the programme, and he has seldom been heard t< such good effect. He was in splendid voice, and his every effort was in its way a masterpiece of skilled vocalisation. His interpretative skill was evidenced in his first programme number, "Lydta" (Margaret Lang)., his distinct utterance in this and the other songs being a marked feature. In response to a pronounced recall Mr. Hedges gave an exquisite rendering of Gounod's Serenade," in which the flute obligate by Mr. Poore served to enhance the artistic effect. In the second part of the programme Mr Hodges sang "A Hong of Thanksgiving," by Alhtsen. Though taken, in the writer's opinion, a trifle too deliberately as regards tempo, the vocalisation whs of weighty interest and delightful finish. Being enthusiastically encored Mr. Hodges completely excelled himself in liis enthralling rendition of "Beloved! It is Morn" (Avhrard). No more fitting testimony to AT,.. 'Hodges' gifts could be forthcoming than'the impressive silence that reigned in the hall as verse succeeded verse, and small wonder was it that the large audience redemauded the item, the last verso being at length repeated. Mr. G. E. Poore's flute solos were much enjoyed, and his interpretation of "Le Babbilard" (Tersehak), as well a* the bracketed numbers " Humoresque" (Dvorak) and " Valso" (Chopin) ranked very high indeed. For the latter Mr. Poore was deservedly encored, and indeed his technical facilitv as well as his skill in breathing between the almost continuously rapid thematic figures, deserves more than passing comment. Mrs. E. H. Quereo made & wholly admirable accompanist, and her one solo. "Concert Studv" (Rubinstein), was given with necessary brilliancy and finish bringing forth the inevitable recall. Mr.' I. E. Midgeley rendered good service at the organ. Miss Ainsley's "second (and final) concert takes place, to-night, when a new programme will bo given."