ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18234, 30 October 1922, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PAXIL ALTHOUSE RECITAL.

The musical season now drawing to a close will linger long in the memory, if only for the remarkable vocal'recital given at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening by Mr. Paul Althouse, the famous American tenor. It was gratifying, to note such a large gathering in all parts of the house, and great was the enthusiasm displayed. Entering fully into the spirit of the situation, and spurred on t no doubt, by the genuineness of the applause, the soloist good-naturedly added many additional items to a programme which would have severely taxed the strength of an ordinary singer. In the circumstances, after the crowning triumph achieved in the final " Pagliacci " excerpt, it was small wonder that the visitor, in thanking the audience for their appreciation, declared that it was physically impossible to grant further requests. Opening with a French group, which ineluded " Chanson do Barberine " (Loret) and "Chevauchee Cosaque" (Fourdrain), Mr. Althouse speedily showed what- a pastmaster in voice management he is. Later he gave that memorable aria " Salve Dimora," from Gounod's " Faust," with an expressive beauty of tone which has never been eclipsed here. Though robbed of the muse-en-scene, and with no orchestra between the singer and audience, it was easily possible to visualise the actual scene from the opera. Mr. Gruen's song, " The Phantom Ships," gave much, scope for the finer nuances. It is a clever conception, though not wholly free from straining after certain effects. As a climax-builder it would be difficult to surpass Mr. Althouse. He had hia popular chance in Conigsby-Clarke's "The Blind Ploughman," which in the thrilling finale, " God, Who Took Away My Eyes," brought down the home. Hageman's " Do Not Go, My "Love," and Martin's " All in a Lilywhite Gown " were fascinating examples of refined delivery, while Hodgson's dainty " Daffodil Gold," and Stephens' remarkable song, " Christ in Flanders," were in opposite view, with a preponderance of inspiration about the latter. As a graphic depiction of conflicting moods, jealous rage, rebellion, and despair, it would be difficult to surpass Mr. Althouse's dramatic rendering of that operatic masterpiece. " Vesti la Giubba," from Leoncavallo's " Pagliacci." For sheer realism it placed the tenor in the front rank of operatic exponents, and was responsible for such fervid applause as is seldom heard within the walls of His Majesty's Theatre. Mr. Rudolph Gruen proved his infinite capacity as an .accompanist, playing everything from memory as usual. As soloist he displayed rare technical facility, and grasp of the inner meaning of the music in Rachmaninoff's ." Prelude in 0 Sharp Minor," "Caprice Espagnole" (Moszkowski), and "Scherzo, in B flat minor" (Chopin). Being warmly recalled after each appearance, Mr. Gruen again delighted hia admirers in an arresting budget of pieces. The 'farewell Althouse-Mwdleton concert, announced for this evening, has been cancelled, as Mr. Middleton has not> sufficiently recovered.

OPERA HOUSE. The popular comedienne, Miss Daisy Jerome, will again appear at the Opera. House this week. She will submi* a new programme of attractive songf. Les Videos and the Kelroy Trio, f novelty jugglers, will make their first appearance in Auckland,while new programmes will be presented by Melville anq Stetson, novelty artists, the Columbia Ftfmr, male quartette, and Loader and Lanejy, comedians. Mr. Walter George and; his Sunshine Players will present a new reVue, " The Rajah of Rangipoo." The box plan during the day is at Lewis K. .Lady and Son, Ltd.

STUDENTS' SONG RECITAL. The song and pianoforte recital given in the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday evening by Mr. Barry Coney and his pupils attracted a large number of music lovers, who foll6wed the long programme with high measure of appre-1 ciation. The concert was mainly a recital, the pianoforte items being Confined to a piano concertoi, a couple of duos, and one solo. The first it*m, Weber's concerto, waa given by Miss Helen Cave and Mr. JBarry Coney, tha latter also taking paw in the duo, "Variations," by Areusky, with Miss Eileen Cullen, and in. Del Val de Paz "Cortege," with Miss-Myrtle Lowe, each , of which items rece/ved a smooth and , musicianly interpretation. Miss Cullen , showed "exceptional skill and sound j technique in her mastery of the intri- , cacies of Chopin's brilliant "Black Key j study, her encore number being marked , by the same fluency of treatment and j dexterity of fingering. The vocal items covered a wide lunge, from ballads to grand opera, amortg the most success ful ( numbers being Pficcini's "One Fine Day," j sung with fine flramatic feeling by Miss j Dorothy Youd,. and Verdi's 'Oh, Don ( Fatale,'' by Mass Myrtle Burns. Both singers possess soprano voices of more * than ordinary quality and power. Lan- T don Ronald's "0 Lovely Night," by Miss t Irene Tanner, 'was another exceptionally good item, other numbers being 'The { Spirit Flower," by Miss Myrtle Lowe, j "Rosebuds," by Miss Sybil Speer, "Ah, . My Son," by Miss Florrie Linfoot, "Tu } Me Dirais," bv Miss Hansard, and "Harlequin,"" jbv Miss M. Williamson. A vocal duet, Tosti's "Venetian Song,"- j by Miss Youd and Mr. Dudley Wratball, i was another outstanding item, the latter singer also giving an excellent rendering of Rossini's "Largo al Factotum." Mr. f Coney's contributions to the programme were "Lorraine, Lorraine, Loree," , "lago's Soliloquy," "II pleuire dans mon coeur," and a couple of bracketed numbers, "Love Went A-riding," and ; "Come You, Mary," all of which were i received with great enthusiasm. Encores J • were, indeed, the order of the evening, \', every performer being recalled. Many | beautiful bouquets were handed to the! performers.

STUDENTS' RECITAL. An interesting and amusing recital was given by pupils of Mr. J. F. Montague in his studio on Saturday evening. Humorous recitations were excellently given by Miss Y. McVeagh and Miss M. Wallbank, while Miss Nonie Wright, aged nine, was heard- to great advantage in "The- Seven Ages of Man." Other items were given by Misses McCulloch, J. Bishop, A. Perry, W.~ Summerhayes, Griffiths, U. Moore, P. Mobberley, A. Gonnelley, and' Masters P. Beach, P. Hiokey, T. Boyce, and V. Dalton. TIVOLI THEATRE. .The 'double bill now being presented at the Tivoli Theatre is meeting with the approval of patrons. The motor-car forms the subject for the story, which tells of a thrilling. road race for a TransContinental record. The cars encounter torrential rains, and while the heavy cars have to slow down in the mud, a light car, driven by the hero, Jimmy Dent, takes the lead, to win the race after still greater difficulties have been overcome. Wallace Reid has the principal part. The other picture on the programme is " Out of the Chorus," the story of a chorus girl who elopes with the son of an aristocratic New York family. Many dramatic situations occur during the course o{ the story, and though complications arise, a happy conclusion, is reached. The chief part i« taken by Alice Brady.

NATIONAL THEATRE. An interesting study of thi» struggle constantly taking place between tire newly-rich and the old-established order cf aristocrats is given in "Under Oath. *n attractive picture now *«"*.""«"£■ Other picturea are '/.Tfl? « e ?F ca % t&J ' 4 Th« Little Bj«<?Wr ' .

GRAND THEATRE. An enjoyable programme JS .being screened this week at the Grand Theatre. The leading attraction is "The Love Light," a Mary Pickford, production, in whirti the favourite star is seen in » role calling for great ability, in its portrayal. She presents a fine study in contrasts, as the part ranges from comedy to tense drama of an emotional kind. STRAND THEATRE. A picture of a very high standard i» being screened at the Strand Theatre *s the chief attraction on this week'ti programme. This is "The Silent Coll." a romantic tale of the Californian imonntains, in which a wonderful Belgian police hound has a prominent part. Other features on the bill include the coiaedy, " One Week," a novelty scenic filni, " Women Must Weep," and topical news.. ENTERTAINMENTS INDEX. 4» Opera House—Fuller's Vaudeville. Dixieland Cabaret—Dancina. Rush-Munrci's Cabaret—Jazz. PICTURE THEATRES. Lyric—" It's a Great I ife" (Cullen Londfe},. Hippodrome—" The Storm" (House Feters). Princess—" Wet Gold" (Ralph Ince). Strand—" The Silent Call" (Kathzyn Mc Guire). Grand—"The Lore Lieht" (Mary Pickford). National—" Under Oath" (Elaino Hammerstein). TivDli—" Acroos the Continent" (Wallace Reid) and " Out of the Chorus'' (Alice Brady). Everybody's— " The Bride's Play" (M&rioo Davies) and " Bum-'em-up Barnes." Queen's—" A Stage Romance" (William Farnum). Broadway — " Backless Youth" (Elaine) Hammerstein). Empress—" Virgin Paradise."