ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PAUL DUFAULT SEASON.

The many, admirers of Paul Dufault, the French-Canadian tenor, whose uncommon

merits as a concert singer were speedily recognised on his previous New Zealand tours with the Countess de Cisneros and Madame Lillian Nordica, gave a warm welcome to this cultured artist at His Majesty's Theatre last night. At last the tenor has assumed his right position at the head of his own concert company, and it is gratifying to note that such has been the success of the present Dominion tour that a return season in the principal centres will be undertaken on the conclusion of the series of four concerts now being given in Auckland.

The popular singer was in excellent voice lust night, and presented his delighted auditors with highly-finished readings of widely dissimilar numbers. His vocal technique adapted itself to the requirements of each song, and never was there a suggestion of strain in producing a tone in any part, of his extensive compass. The important thing in singing is, after all, the sound as it reaches the audience, and here Paul Dufault exercises a fine sense of judgment. There is a warmth of tone quality even in subdued or tenderly expressive passages which many a musical ' aspirant must envy, while his articulation is uniformly clear. His dramatic sense is seldom at fault, nor does he yield to the temptation to exaggerate the force of any point in his songs. The visitor's French diction was naturally excellent in numbers like the prayer from "Le Cid " (Massenet), or the same composer's "Le Sais-tu while the vocal adaptiveness was a conspicuous feature throughout. Holmes's "Au Pays " was a striking effort, which gained considerably in effect by reason of the lucid explanation given by the singer. The toil-worn soldier, returning from the wars, marches with his regiment down the village street, looking meanwhile for his Jeanette among the assembled crowd. She is there, but alas for Jean's peace of mind, has grown tired of waiting, and has married. The heart-broken soldier swings into the ranks again, crying "Battle, Battle." It was the tragedy of a lifetime compressed into a few bars of music, in which the descriptive pianoforte accompaniment played no small part, yet even the most transient- impressions were suggested by the singer with rare skill. Very refined was his rendering of '"At the MidHour of Night" (Cowen) and "Sylvelin" (Sinding), while a fine climax was worked up in Scott's " The Secret." Paul Dufault's closing item was Bruno Huhn's defiant " Invictus," which made such an impression during his previous visits. The popular tenor, - frequently had to respond to double encores, and in this capacity sang "In a Garden" (Hawley), "Thy Beaming Eyes" (Metcalfe), the favourite " Mignon" (D'Hardelot), &nd " Mother o' Mine" (Tours). A more ringing climax in the' latter song would have enhanced the effect made.

■Miss Pauline Bindley, the young Ben- , digo soprano, gave considerable assistance at the concert. Her voice is brilliant, and of considerable range, though her renderings generally lack that repose and finish which more experience will give. Her diction needs some attention, and her final consonants are not always sufficiently audible. Much vocal litheness was shown by Miss Bindley in the showy and difficult aria "Caro Nome," from Verdi's " Rigoletto," and she was also successful in a group of songs in the second part, her management of the head voice in Arne%'s "Lass With the Delicate Air" being worthy of special mention. As encore songs Miss Bindley sang acceptably, " I Know a Lovely Garden" (D'Hardelot) and "Philosophy,' 1 and was also associated with Paul Dufault in the vocal duet, " I Know a Lover and His Lass" (Walthew), which was warmly encored. Mr. Ernest Toy, the well-known violinist, submitted polished readings of several solos, in which prominent features were technical resource, and a finely expressive tone His control of harmonic effects was strikingly shown in Wieniawski's difficult " Souvenir de Moscow," while the rapid figuration in Bohm's "The Butterfly," played with muted strings, made a deep impression. A musicianly. sense was shown by Mr. Toy in his own composition, " Madrigal," and the exacting " Mazurka" (Zarycki)., He was heartily encored after each appearance.

The pianoforte accompaniments, by Mr. Harold Whittle, were in the best of taste, and he was invariably in sympathy with the soloist.

A change of programme will be submitted by Paul Dufauit and his musical associates at His Majesty's Theatre to-night.

WILLOUGHBY COMPANY. On Monday evening next Messrs- George Willoughby, Limited, will inaugurate an eleven-nights' season of melodrama at His Majesty's Theatre, direct from a fourmonths' tenure of the Adelphi, Sydney, and more recently, a highly successful run at Wellington. The initial production is to be " The Beggar Girl's Wedding," a,\ four-act play by Walter Melville. Heading the company is the well-known actor, Mr. George Cross, who will be supported by an emotional actress of high Australian repute, Miss Vera Remee, and a combination specially chosen to fill -an extensive cast of characters. Tragedy, pathos and comedy are said to be skilfully blended in vivid portrayals of sensational" incidents in the great metropolis. The original scenery and effects used in Sydney are promised for the local presentation. The box plans open this morning at Messrs. Wildman and Arey's. OPERA HOUSE. The bright and clever entertainment being submitted by the Brennari-JFuller Company at the Opera House this' week was witnessed •by a crowded house last evening. Again each artist gave a very appreciable " turn," and in every case was met with the unstinted applause of the audience. TOWN HALL ORGAN RECITALS. The city organist will resume the municipal organ recitals on Saturday evening next. Mr. Maughan Barnett's programme will be arranged from works by Widor, Liszt, Wagner, and Lemare. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. .... The beautiful dream of the nun, Megildisi as described by " The Miracle," the attraction at the King's Theatre this week, was witnessed by another large audience last night. The special orchestral and choir music that accompanies the play provides a feature in itself. Incidents of momentous interest are abundantly introduced in the drama entitled "At the Wheel," now showing at the King George Theatre. It is a tragic story, and was much appreciated by the numerous visitors to the theatre yesterday. The world-renowned resort of tourists and gamblers, and, likewise, the smallest principality in the world, Monaco, is the subject of a very interesting scenic study, contained in the current programme at the West End Theatre. " The Next Generation," the principal film in the programme at the Queen's Theatre, contains an impressive picture of the foundering of a large vessel in midocean. The picture will be shown for the last time to-day. Large audiences attended yesterday at the Globe Theatre, where the'chief attraction is an exceedingly well acted and staged drama entitled, "The Poison Tree-" " Grandmother's Lamp," a fine play, into which is introduced a dashing romance of the stirring times at the commencement of the last century, is drawing large numbers to the Newton Picture Palace. The production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," being screened at the Princess Theatre, treats in a realistic manner with the early slaving days of America. It will be shown for the last time to-day. A satisfactory audience attended the Royal Albert Hall last evening. ."The Coquette " is the title of the star picture. "The Test," a strong modern story with a lesson, attracted many people to the Lyric Theatre last night. " Her Boy ' is ***&?* good, fematifr gtgd^,