'A' BOY'S TRIUMPH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21315, 17 October 1932, Page 12

'A' BOY'S TRIUMPH

LEX MACDONALD CONCERT LARGE AUDIENCE CAPTIVATED FINE SUPPORTING NUMBERS A rare musical treat was provided on Saturday evening by the concert introducing to an audience that filled the Town Hall Lex Macdonald, the Dunedin boy soprano, whose voice created a sensation wherever it has been heard in Australia and New Zealand. In addition to the boy's delightful singing, a well-balanced programme of choral, orchestral and vocal items was given under the direction of Mr. Colin Muston. From his opening number, the simple and charming song " A Brown Bird Singing," Lex Macdonald captivated the audience by the purity, range and power of his voice. It was far richer in tone than is usually the case with boy sopranos, yet none of that limpid quality which is their great attraction was lost. High interpretative skill, clear enunciation and an unassuming manner, added to his perfect technique and production, made the lad's performance a notable one. He was accorded an ovation after every item, but, owing to the need of not straining his voice at the present stage, only one encore could be given. His abilities were fully tested in Mendelssohn's well-known motet "Hear My Prayer" and " Oil, For the Wings of a Dove." Accompanied by a full orchestra of over 35 instruments and a large massed Choir, Master Macdonald was nevertheless able to sustain his solo part with power and iinpressiveness. The whole number was inspiring. The talented young Auckland violinist Master Harold Taberner played the obligato for the Southern lad's next item, Schubert's "Ave Maria," and the performance of the two boys in thrilling a Town Hall audience by their virtuosity won them enthusiastic applause. Lex Macdonald's filial solo item was "Duna,' ? always a favourite for boys' voices. The audience would not be satisfied until an encore had been given, and in this, " The Lass With the Delicate Air," the singer achieved his triumph of the evening. . Miss Phyllis Tye sang with fine expression and ability in the duet with Master Macdonald, " I Waited for tho Lord" (Mendelssohn), but her most successful item was the soprano part in the magnificent trio " The Heavens are Telling," from Haydn's " Creation." Mr. Gordon Fagan and Mr. Robert Simmers took the tenor and bass parts, and, with full chorus and orchestra, the number was most impressive. The well-known Wellington flautist, Mr. Claude Tucker, made his initial appearance in Auckland, and he was encored enthusiastically for his rendering of Sabathil's " Scherzo Cappriccioso." Master Harold Taberner showed fine technique and , interpretation in his violin solo, "Saltarella."

Mr. Robert Simmers' flexible and resonant voice was well suited by Koereman's ballad "When the King Went Forth to War," and he gave as an encore "Night of Stilly Silence." The operatic duet " Solenne en Quest' Ora," from "La Forza del Destino," by Mr. Simmers and Mr. Fagan, was well received, " Faure's " Crucifix" being given in response to the demands of the audience. A particularly fine item was the orchestra's rendering of Friedmann's " Slavonic Rhapsody." Mr. Coliii Muston was conductor, Miss Edith Whitelaw was principal violin, and Miss Kathleen O'Leary, Mr. G. H. Woolley and Mr. R. Potter ably carried out tlie duties of accompanists.