MUSIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 17

MUSIC.

THE TREBELLI CONCERTS.

A large attdiencs at the Opera House enjoyed a very fine concert last week. Malle. Trebelli was, of course, the special attraction, and sang splendidly. She has a Voice which is young and fresh, under perfect command, even and consistent in its production from the highest notes soft, delicious notes they are —to the lowest in her register, which is a large register. In the first part of the programme she contributed two numbers which covered the whole range of her art, the polacca from Ambroiso Thomas’ “ Mignon,” showing her command of the greatest possible brilliancy, and Grieg’s “Song of Solveig,” a weirdly passicoate composition affording the opportunity for sustained smoothness and breadth of style. In the second part she thrilled the audience with a quite perfect rendering of Gauz’s “ Nighting- 1 gale’s Trill,” whichshe followed with the con- ( trusting “ Ponso ” of Tosti, singing the de- 1 licious, sympathetic music grandly. The ' old Scotch song “I’m Ow’re Young,” I a twin sister of “ Roy’s Wife of Ardwalloch,” was her third contribution, sung with all perfection of archness, and then we had the celebrated “ Laughing Song,” which no other woman south of the Line can sing, and few on the other side can sing so well. It was simply a marvellous effort of trained intelligence, musical faculty and natural grace. The applause given to Mdllo. Trebelli was from the first most hearty, and her accompaniments were exceedingly well played by Miss Harding. Mr Prouse contributed very effectively to tlie success of the concert with three remarkably fine songs —Marzial’s “ Leaving Yet Loving.” Mrs Allitsen’s “Prince Ivan’s Song” and Trotcre’s “ Deathless Army,” the last with an orchestral accompaniment which asserted itself somewhat too much. Mr Prouse was in grand voice, and his stylo =howed an improvement in finish and fire, due to his Australian experience and practice with Mdlle Trebelli. Each of his efforts earned a marked recall, in answer to which he gave us Mrs Allitson’s “ Thy voice is heard in Rolling Drums,” Denza’s “ May Morning,” a brilliant composition which ho gave with remarkably fine effect, more especially in the fine tones of his lower register, and the old favourite “ I’m off to Philadelphia,” which Signor Foli made so much of when touring through the Colony. The accompaniments, all of them arduous, were played very sympathetically and well by Miss Harding. A very efficient orchestra, under Mr Parker’s baton, with Mr Mac Duff Boyd as leader, contributed some well-chosen selections during the evening from Mendelssohn, Barnett, Yolkmann and others, one of these being repeated in obedience to a unanimous recall. The precision, balance of power, delicate shading and fine phrasing wero especially remarkable. A feature was Von Hamm’s trio for flute, oboe and clarinet by Messrs L. Cohen, B. Caton and T. H. Soweii, played with perfection of tone and great beauty of style, and admirably accompanied by the orchestra. Like its predecessor the second concert was of the best quality, the incomparable soprano being well supported by Mr Pronse, and by Mr Parker’s orchestra, which played some good selections. Mdlle. Trebelli’s numbers were Gomez’s, “Mia Piccirella,” which she ! followed with the ever-popular “ Killarney ” j in the most charming style ; Bishop’s “ Lo the Gentle Lark,” which she sang perfectly, Mr L. Cohen contributing the florid flute obligato in excellent style, the tones blending beautifully, and the number being repeated in courtesy to the enthusiastic applause of the audience ; and the last numbor was the dainty “ Saper Vorreste,” the page’s song from Verdi’s “ Balia in Maschera,” the tenderness and gaiety of the music being admirably given, and the encore was the old Scottish ballad, “ Within a mile o’ Edinburgh Town.” All these were fine examples of the purest vocalisation and the best style—the tone faultless, and the articulation perfect. Mr Prouse sang as usual very (well, giving us Marzials’ j “River of Years” and “Ruddier than the i Cherry ”-in broad, full style, taking the runs evenly and brightly, and Heckler’s “ Thou’rt my World,” with which he made a great hit. Every number earned an emphatic recall; the Handel music was repeated, and the other encore pieces were “ The Minstrel Boy ” and the fine “May Morning ” we wero introduced to the other night. The instrumental selections wero the Oberon overture, the Entr’acte from Gounod’s “ La Colombo,” Von Hamm’s trio for flute, clarionet and oboe (by special request), and Cowen’s dainty quaint “ Yellow Jasmine.” The orchestra accompanied Mr Prouso in the Handel selection, and Mdlle. Trebelli in the “ Sapor Vorreste ” very sympathetically and well. Mr Parker conducted, Mr Boyd led the orchestra, and Miss Harding accompanied the songs. During the evening Mdlle. received vast numbers of bouquets and floral offerings, and the ■ audience was most appreciative and enthuI siastic.

Arrangements have just been completed which are to lead to the production of Messrs Adams and Hill’s cantata “ Hinemoa ” in Melbourne at an early date. On Monday Mr A. F. Hill received a telegram informing him that the dates for Melbourne have been fixed upon, and Mr Tail (the representative of Ihe well-known music publishers, Messrs Allen and Co.) arrived in Wellington on Wednesday to hear “ Hinemoa” at the Exhibition. Mr Hill leaves for Melbourne via the South thi3 week, and his many well-wishers will join with us in the heartiest good wishes for his prosperity in his tour of the world’s music centres.