KATE CAMPION RECITALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18773, 29 July 1924, Page 10

KATE CAMPION RECITALS.

Tha first of two farewell recitals by Miss Kate Camlpion, the accomplished New Zealand soprano, was given in the Town Hall concrert chamber last evening before an appreciative audience. Since she was last heard hsre at the beginning of the year, Miss Campion haa still further added to her laurels during an extended tour. Her programme numbers last evening demanded' and obtained the usual high standard of interpretation associated with the work of this brilliant artist. Her style is essentially that of the Grand Opera stage, and it is perhaps inevitable tlat in; less pretentious numbers the interpretations should be occasionally CC.iharged with temperament. Without the orchestra and the usual adjuncts of the theatre it is not easy by iihe force of the music alone to create i the moods, of diverse operatic selections, and it says much for Miss Campion's resourcefulness that such satisfying impressions were created in excerpts such as " Pleurezmes Yeux," from Massenet's " Le Cid," the great " Sales " aria, from Verdi's " Otello, ' and the exacting " Air de Lia," from' Debussy's " L'Enfant Pro: digue." These -were sung -with marked effect and adroit vocal management. A | charming French song was Duparc's atmospheric " L'lnvitation au Voyage," I while the old Italian style of " Le Vio- | lette " (Scarlatti), suited the soprano to | perfection. An English group, which was | very included Coleridge-Tay-i lor'B impressive " Life and Death," the finely imaginative "Cloths of Heaven" (Dunhill), and tho dainty number " The Enchanted Forest" (Montagus Phillips). In responding; to hearty encores, Mis 3 Campion did not spare herself and included among other items, " The Jewel Song," from " Faust" (Gounod), and Rossini's rapidly articulative "La Danza," closing with " One Fine Day" (Puccini), the interpretation being of outstanding merit. . The supporting artists were consistently good, and met with hearty recalls. Miss Dorothy Baker displayed facility 'of bowing in her artistic violin solos, M Preghiera" (Schubert), and the descriptive Drago'oflies " (Nzolt), while Mr. Edward Churchouse*3 baritone songs, " The Two Grenadiers " (Schumann), and " The Wind on the Heath " (!Lohr), were oxcellent achievements. Mr. J. F. Montague, }n his recitals of "A Bnnch of Roses " (with piano accompaniment), and " The General Outlook," proved himself a versatile master of the art. As accompanist, Mr. Cyril Towsey' had much to do, and did it well. The second recital by Miss Campion and her associates will be given in the concert chamber to-morrow evening. A programme of great interest is promised.