NEW ZEALAND MUSICIANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14567, 2 January 1911, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND MUSICIANS.

MISS MARJORIE TEMPEST.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

London, November 25. Since she left Auckland some years ago, Miss Gertrude Tailey (better known in England as Marjorie Tempest) has had distinct successes in Australia, aiid her song-recital in London "last year was quite above the average. She had another success at tho Bochstein Hall on Monday evening, wlion sho gave a rather ambitious recital, including the recitative and aria "Sweet Bird" (Handel), with flute obligato by Mr. Albert Fransclla, tho mad scene from "Hamlet" (Ambroiso Thomas), two songs by Brahms (" O Nachtigall" and "Immcr Leiscr Wird Mcin Sclilummer "), "Claire de Luno" (Faurs), "Mandoline" (Debussy), Away on the Hill There Runs a Stream," and A Little Winding Road" (both by Landon Ronald).

The Post says;—" She would have been wiser had she chosen simpler songs, for her first two numbers put a heavy strain on her powers. In " Sweet Bird " Miss Tempest's tone was unequal.' Her high notes were hard in quality, ami were not approached with certainty, nor was she Wholly successful in dealing with tho elaborate ornamentations of the music, for though her shakes were clean and clear her scale passages were blurred. This tendency to force the tone went through - all Miss Tempest's work. It was evident from time to timo that she could interpret pathos, and in softer passages her vocal tone was pure and resonant, especially in the lower range of her voice."

The Telegraph: " Miss Tempest made a bold bid for success. Although never ill at ease, she would, on the whole, bo better advised to confine herself to a more restricted field of activity, in which the valuable qualities of a highly serviceable soprano voice could lx> cultivated to advantage." Tho good opinions formed of Mr. Clutsam's little, opera, "The Summer Night," when it was first produced a few months ago, aro confirmed on its reappearance, It was played at Co vent Garden last overling before "Hansel and Gretel," and was enthusiastically received. "The music,'' says the Post, "is remarkable for its melodious charm, its grace of utterance, and for tho wealth of orchestral device."