EVANS-GANGE CONCERTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19947, 16 May 1928, Page 15

EVANS-GANGE CONCERTS.

ANOTHER GREAT SUCCESS.

Music-lovers assembled in large numbers at the Town Hall conceri chamber last evening, when the second notable programme was presented by those admirable artists, Miss Amy Evans, and Mr. Fraser Gange. Both singers were in the best of voice, and gave without stint from a veritable storehouse of vocal gems. The more taxing operatic numbers were rendered with a supreme mastery of technical difficulties as well as the subtleties of voice production, while the appeal of the many ballads and art songs was invariably direct. Miss Amy Evans" natural endowments as a singer were prominent in her opening excerpt, "Ritorna Vincitor," from Verdi's "Aida." The somewhat Wagnerian style of the more passionate declamatory phrases of the introductory movement was faithfully presented, while the flowing cantabile of the finale beginning, "Numi, Pieta," was voiced with great, purity of style. Miss Evans achieved a further triumph in the two German Lieder "Stille Thranen" (Schumann) and " Botschaft " (Brahms), Prominent in the soprano's English group may be noted Richard Hageman's descriptive "Do Not Go, My Love,'' which was a unique example of vocalisation. Teresa del Riego's "Homing" was in more popular vein, while Blanche Seaver's "Just For Today" made a fitting climax to Miss Evans' expositions. The eminent visitor again delighted her auditors in a lengthy budget of encoro songs, and also took part with Mr. Gange in the closing duet, "Stifl as the Night,'- which, of course, was encored.

Mr. Fraser Gangs was a host in himself, his rich, vibrant baritone being specially suited in everything he sang. In his opening aria, "Eri Tu," from Verdi's "Un Ballo," he visualised to the full the possibilities of this magnificent number, and so roused the house that he had acain to respond with Handel's "Hear Me, Ye Winds and Waves." There was a fang of the salt sea breeze about Frederick Keel's "Salt Water Ballads," each being rendered in inimitable fashion. Mr. Gange was very impressive in Graham Peel's beautiful setting of "In Summertime on Bredon," and made the most of the delicate charm of McGill's vocal miniature "Duna." A gripping interpretation was given of "Mandalay" (Oley Speaks), and the many tone contrasts displayed hv Mr. Ganco added to the realism of the song. Many additional items were sung by the baritone during the evening. The accompaniments, in the hands of Miss Enid Conley, were all that could be desired, while as soloist she distinguished herself in Brahms' "Rhapsody in G Minor" and "York Bowen's" brilliant "Scherzo," winning warm recalls. The season has been so successful that the management announces that two extra concerts will be given in the Town Hall concert chamber on Friday and Saturday evenings.