ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15096, 12 September 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ELEONORA DE CISNEROS.

A .MEMORABLE CONCERT.

j Tiik attendance last night at {-lit'- tluui concert at. the Town Hall by the Countess I do Cisneros and her musical associates atI traded the largest and most enthusiastic j audience, of the brief season. Everything on the programme was" recalled, and lac performance was a memorable one in every way. Madame do Cisneros again demonstrated her vocal superiority by her searchj ing interpretations and authoritative readings of temperamental selections from j the realm of grand opera, and she also i succeeded in raising the simpler folk song | or ballad to the level of a classic through j her polished expositions. The magnificent and appealing aria. " Love, Come to my j Aid" {from Saint Sacns' "Samson | and Delilah") wa:; invested with all j the appropriate "atmosphere" and j particular pleading which Iho text 'de- | manded. If, was, in short, an artistic ] triumph, which made an appeal to even j the least susceptible, of her hearers. Handel's " Largo" (\vith> 'cello obligate* by I Mr. Liebling) was a fine example of sustained singing, while the recitative preceding the words " Ombra Mai Fu" was strikingly given. Madame de Cisneros also sang with convincing effect Bohrn's "Still as the Night" and the " Sequidilla" from "Carmen.'"' Two old Irish folk •songs, " Pantheon Fionn " and "Sweet Babe, a Golden Cradle Holds Thee," as well as Moore's *'• Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms," were in their way masterpieces of expressive vocalisation. A suave and musicianly treatment was given by the great mezzo of the fascinating "Serenade" sung by Stephano in Gounod's " Romeo and Juliet." Tremendous applause and enthusiasm was awakened by Madame do Cisneros in each number, and even the solitary recall piece was at times insufficient to stem the tide •of enthusiasm. Among the numerous encore songs were " Chanson de I'Adieu " (To&ti), "Ivillarney" (Balfe). Suntuzza's poignant aria from " Cavalleria Rusticana" (Mascagni), "Come Back to Erin" (Claribel), " Good-byp" (Tosfci), and the eloquent and subtly passionate aria, "Softly A wake my Heart," from " Samson and Delilah." M. Paul Dufaull, the tenor, who lias made himself so popular with the I audiences at these concerts, again made j little short of a sensation with his singing. As at the previous concerts his appeal through the voice so highly cultured was made with dignity and understanding, and the possibilities of every phrase were carefully mentalised by the singer before the vocal organ enunciated its inspiring message. A furore of applause was aroused by 'M. Dnfault's t singing of the fine aria from "Jeanne d'Are" (Bemberg), while "My Desire" (Nevin). " time," - and "Invictus" (Huhn) were no less successful. Ware's rhythmical "Boat Song" again made its appeal as an encore selection by this sterling favourite.. The 'cellist, Mr. James Liebling, one© more found attentive listeners to his refined and soulful interpretations. on the valuable Strad which he possesses. Remarkable virtuosity was forthcoming in Mr. Liling's reading of Popper's moody and capricious "Hungarian Rhapsody." The delicate allegro portions suggested .the flitting of butterflies' wings as the free bow arm enunciated tho rapid passages pressed out. on the finger board. The more cantabilo phrases were given with'great breadth of expressive tone. Other programme contributions which found high favour were " Sur lo lac" (Godard), the dainty "At tho Fountain" (Davidoff), and the usual encore pieces. Tho accompanist, Mr. Harold Whittle, was a capable and painstaking pianist, who was instantly an fait with the particular mood or stylo of the vocal or instrumental selection he was accompanying. Music lovers will be pleased to know that, on the return of the company after a brief Southern tour, it has been possible to arrange a grand farewell concert in the Town Hall on the 26th inst., prior to their sailing for America. " SINBAD THE SAILOR." - The pantomime. ri Sinbad the Sailor," still continues to draw largo audiences at His Majesty's Theatre. The final matinee yesterday afternoon was well attended, and the evening performance was equally successful. The final two nights of the season are announced, the reason closing to-morrow evening.

"THE ROYAL FOLLIES." The entertainment given by the "Royal Follies" -was responsible "for a large attendance at the Town Hall concert chamber last night. The evening's programme provides a. series of high-class musical, dramatic, and humorous items. The entertainment will be repeated tonight..

ASCHE-BRAYTON SEASON' Tho box plans will be opened at Wildman and Arey's this morning at eight o'clock for ■ tho first five nights of the Oscar Asche-Lily Bray ton season, which will be inaugurated on Monday night next by a production of the Oriental dramatic spectaclo "Kismet." Mr. Oscar -Asche, Miss Lily Brayton, and their manager, Mr. B. A. Meyer, will arrive by the Main Trunk express from .Wellington this morning.

OPERA HOUSE. The Brennan-Fuller Vaudeville Company's entertainment at the Opera House was well attended last night. Wilson and Pritchard's sketch, "The Merry Ostlers," was particularly well applauded, and other items were well received. WEST'S PICTURES. The change ot programme at the Royal Albert Hall attracted a large audience last night. A pictorial dramatisation of Charles Dickens's great work, "A Tale of Two Cities," proved the chief attraction.Tho luxury indulged in by the French aristocrats, and the degraded state of tho common people or canaille, were excellency shown. The picture followed closely the original story, and all the principal characters of the book, including Sidney Carton and Dr. Manetto, introduced. ''The Triumph of Right " dealt with the adventures of a dissolute cowboy, who narrowly escaped punishment- for horse-stealing. He is accused by a villainous Mexican, with whom he has had a. dispute over cards. Dave, the cowboy, rides for help for his sick wife, and is charged with stealing the horse lie rides. He is taken by the sheriff, but is saved from punishment and his innocence is proved through the death of his wife and by the devotion of his little daughter. "An Eventful Elopement was a really funny humorous picture, which was quite tree from the "silly" element so common with humorous pictures. "The Devil's Grotto" was an excellent trick picture, in which the master of Hades acted the part of a wizard, and produced faces and images from all sorts of strange compounds. The other pictures on the programme, including Pathe's Animated Gazette, were quite up to the usual standard. Throughout the evening the Royal Albert Ladies' Orchestra supplied appropriate music.

PICTURE ENTERTAIN The picture entertainments at tho King's Theatre have continued to be well attended throughout the week. ' *' The Vagabonds/' from tins poem written by John Town send Towbridge, was particularly popular. To-night a _ complete change of programme will be given. The various sessions at the Queen's Theatre were crowded yesterday. To-day a new programmo is promised, including a lino dramatisation of Du. Maimer's famous romance, "Trilby." The picture is described as a marvellously vivid representation of tho famous masterpiece. Tho picture displays at the Lyric Theatre drew largo audiences yesterday. Tho programme for to-night includes "Tho Fatal Mirror," a stirring Western drama. " Pandora's® Box," a humorous film, with, John, Bunny, in tho. leading

J role, and a long list of oilier pictures, inj eluding ihe latest Gaumont Graphic. ' I Large audiences continue to attend at the Newton Picture Palace. To-day a change, of programme will be made, which will ijichido "Tho Moonstone," a drama adapted irom Wilkio Collins's novel. \ estcrday and last night the popular programme at the King George Theatre was i=hown for the last time.. To-day .1 , complete change of programme will be | made.

STUDENTS' RECITAL.

'I'll" pupils of Mr. and Mrs. A. I3oulfc bold a, most successful concert at St. Andrew s Hall last night. There was a good attendance, and nearly even,' item was encored. Piano solas wero laved by Misses 0. Norgrove, INI. Colebrook, ]). Hurry. ('. Wobley, H. James, It. Gordon, 1.. Mowbray, and Mrs. Liundell piano duets by Mrs. Boult ant] Miss Janies; songs by Misses Russell-Jones. Wheeler, I. Russell-Jones, Mrs. Willings, and Messrs. X. 'iueker. ]•'. C. Do Ouerrier, and W. JO. Bell. Vocal duets were tastefully rendered by Miss J. Russell-Jones and Mr. .\. Tucker, and Misses M. and I. RussellJones. A duo for two pianos was well executed by Mrs. Boult and Miss E. Mowbray.