MR MACDUFF BOYD’S CONCERT

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3003, 15 December 1896, Page 2

MR MACDUFF BOYD’S CONCERT

A very attractive programme was submitted at Mr Mao Duff Boyd’s last night at the Art Gallery. Mr Boyd’s violin solos comprised the lovely “ Elogie ” of Ernst, admirably suited as it is to his style, and most expressively played, and Alard’s arrangement ot melodies from “H Trovatore.” The success of those pieces was greatly enhanced by the very skilful accompaniment played by Miss Ritchey. One of the features ■of the concert consisted of the songs of Miss bheen, who is undoubtedly of groat promise as a singer. She has a voice of fine, quality and good compass, and it has been well trained by Madame Cope. To those qualities must bo added that of self - confidence, with which Miss shcen appears to bo amply endowed. &be was encored for the aria “ With Verdure Clad,” and was well suited in the encore piece, the florid “Ob, How Delightful,” but in this she sang out of tune. In the second part of the programme her solo was “At My Window’* (Parker). Mrs Mao Duff Boyd was deservedly recalled for” Robin Adair,** and then sang “The Land of the Leal,” and her other solo contribution to the programme was “ Castles in the Air,” while with Miss Pownail she sang a tasteful duct byMarzials,” Go, Pretty Rose.” Cowen’s “ The PromUoof Life,” as sung by Miss Pownall, showed that she knows how to sing with expression, and has a tuneful and powerful voice of great possibilities if it were under control. Mr F. S. Pope sang Santley’s “Sou of tbe Ocean Islo” and Tosti’s “ For Ever and For Ever the latter was the moro effective. The only other vocal piece was a duet by Misses Johnston. Mendelssohn’s “ Passage; Bird’s Farewell.” An allegretto by Mozart was capably played by Miss Ritchey (piano), Mr lioyd (violin) and Mr C. Ciciino (viola), and was one of the best items of the cone rt. The William Tell duct, a setting for violin and piano, by Mi«s Ritchey and Mr Boyd, was not so interesting. The opening trio, by Messrs Boyd, C. Cimino and W. ‘Prouse, was capitally played. During the evening the Hon N. C. Walker, on behalf of Mr Boyd, presented a volume of music to .Miss Ritchey, who is leaving for'Australia.