ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14004, 9 March 1909, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MISS FLORENCE QUINN.

A cordial welcome awaited Miss Florence Quinrt, the young Auckland soprano, at the Choral Hall last night, when she reappeared, after a somewhat lengthy absence. In the interim Miss Quinn's vocal studies and operatic career have led to her becoming a concert artist of a high standard. Her voice has wonderfully improved. Its quality is rich and mellow, though on the light side, and of remarkable freshness. In addition Mies QuLnn now has a range that is unusual. Her vocal gifts would, of course, be greatly discounted were her technique weak, but in that respect the singer has been fortunate in her training and intelligent in the application of it. Phrasing, breathing, and enunciation, for instance, are excellent, and Miss QuLnn has also attained an interpretative ability that, aided by a charming stage presence and composure, stamps her as a vocalist who should inevitably mount higher. That her scope, is not a limited one was shown last night by, her choice of items. They were the aria, " Slon Coeur S'ouvre " from "Sameon and Delilah," the aria " Voi, che Sapete " from "Le Nozze di Figaro,". Goring Thomas' "A Summer Night," Faure's " Sonata Maria" (with violin and' organ obligates by Messrs. Colin Muston and Harry Hiscocks) and Zardo's "Tonight." Supplementary to these the young soprano sang several encore numbers, her selection showing versatility and other good qualities. Miss Elsie Hamilton, a pianiste who recently came to Auckland and made a pronounced success at a private recital, confirmed the good impression then created. Her contributions were the Chopin " Ballade, in G Minor," and the Liszt "Rihapsodie," and besides giving very fine interpretations of these Miss ' Hamilton played Mr. M. Hamilton Hodges 4 accompaniments. That gentleman sang Elgar's dramatic song "The Swimmer" and a bracket of Somerset's and Somerville's ballads, besides encore solos. He was in fine_ voice. The remaining artist was Mr. Colin Muston, whose violin solos were artistic to a degree. Mrs. .S. Jackson was an efficient accompanist. Throughout the evening encores were frequent.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

There was again a large audience at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, when the Bland Holt Dramatic Company staged, for the second last time this season, that popular spectacular play, " The White Heather." The final performance of this piece is announced for to-night, and to-morrow night the company will; stage "The Flood Tide." This piece Mr. Bland Holt considers ono of the most amusing in' his repertoire. • It is particularly strong in scenic effects, the bursting of a dam being presented with quite thrilling realism. The story of the play introduces several incidents in 'the lives of people much talked about, as, for instance, Madame Humbert, who was connected with numerous celebrated * Parisian frauds, and Barney Barnato, the multimillionaire, are made to figure on the stage. " Flood Tide" will be the final production of the tour, the company leaving for Australia on March 15.

OPERA HOUSE. The programme of this week at the Opera House is proving one of the most popular attractions of the many that Messrs. Fuller and Sons have staged in the pictorial line. Every one of the films came in for liberal commendation on the part of a large audience ; last evening, and the pictures of the great earthquake at Messina are especially: proving a great draw. They afford a most realistic idea of the terrible disaster, and illustrate accounts of the catastrophe that have already been made known to the public by cablegram. - Messrs. Fuller and Sons have evidently set themselves the task of reproducing, by means of the biograph, all notable events 1 in any "part of the world as soon as possible after the occurrence, and so far this task is being "admirably carried out. The programme will be repeated this evening. ROYAL ALBERT HALL. The present series of pictures drew another crowded house at the Royal Albert Hall last evening. The films ' are ■ distinguished for beauty, originality, ,• and variety, and range from grave to gay, from lively to severe." The pictures will be on view as usual this evening. " \ | 11VOLI THEATRE. West's Pictures attracted another largo audience to the Tivoli Theatre last night, and all went away well satisfied with the films shown. Amongst the representations perhaps the best were those of " Quebec to Niagara," "The Foundling," "The Nature Lover," and "A Kind-hearted Shoeblack." A picture dealing with the great Messina ,earthquake will >be one of the. principal features in the new programme on Wednesday night. WIRTH'S CIRCUS. Wirth's Circus and Menagerie will open their Auckland season on the 22nd inst-., the site secured for the show being the paddock in Stanley-street, next to the rope works. ■