ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7392, 21 March 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. THE FIRST DOLORES CONCERT. Bleating sopranos and bumbling baritones come and go, with every now and then a flaming star; but we have only one Dolores, and the welcome accorded to her on the occasion of her reappearance at Wellington last night was as cordial as any admirer of the charming artist could desire. It may bo * said at once that the voice of Dolores is not quite so round and beautiful and- mellow all through as it was some years ago. There is at points a suggestion of hardness, a new metallic tang. But in soft passages the voice is delicious and satisfying as of yore, and Dolores is -still the consummate artist, a woman singing out her woman's soul, a strong smiter oi heart strings. She models her phrases with unfailing insight, and manages the mezzo voce with rare skill. There are in the world some voices more senuously beautiful than hers, but few indeed more humanly winning—few, if any; and, after all, it is for her art and charm that w© seek her and delight in he*. She knows exactly how to sing, exactly why. She opens her mouth properly. There is Gallic salt as well as Gallic charm in her. She enunciates fastidiously—perfectly in French, Ger. man, and Italian, almost perfectly in English. The voice is resonant and true even in the softest "half-voice”' — because she uses the voice with loving fiidelity and unfaltering precision and verve, as such a precious instrument should be used, and produces it as exquisitely as it should be produced. With the change already noted slight hardening here and there) there is to bo observed a shade more frontal tone than formerly. Thus, there is at odd moments a half suggestion of effort in the singing; and at times, more rarely still, there is a too obtrusive nasal resonance. In one or two of her English songs, the enunciation was not invariably quite perfect; but—what matters it? Dolores is still Dolores. She sustains her reputation, and justifies all our best memories of her. # . "My mother bids me bind my hair was beautiful. The song told the story with that perfect art that shows as perfect nature. There was delightful shade and variety of tone-colour. And with all that, or;essential in all that, the remarkable and unique human quality of Dolores shone undimmed, the hinted laughter and suggested tears. There .were several of those old English songs that this singer renders with such fine felicity and charm. "Echo, tell me” (J, Hook)"was sting with notable taste and feeling; and. as an encore, "Fvo i b°en roaming” (Horn) was delicious. In ] the well-known Handel recit. and ana the voice was a shade sharp in the opening, "O, worse than death.” In the Schumann numbers. Dolores was heard to much better effect. The reading •of "Mondnacht” was altogether charming and subtle, preserving just the right atmosphere; and' in. "Der Nnissbaum” wo had a great song sung perfectly—no loss. As an encore'number, Dolores gave "0 sahtissima verginc* (Gordigiani) a magnificent and superbly effective rendering. In the Donizetti recit. and aria from "Linda di Chameunix,” we had a musicianly and intelligent reading; but here the singer was not nearly so fine as in the German Lieder or the qJLd English songs. In forte passages in the upper register the effects already alluded to were especially notable in. this number. There were; three - French songs—"Tes bleus” x (Pierne) —inwhich- the vocalist seemed to be at her poorest last night,' the voice oddly unbalanced and out of tune; and two songs by Massenet, a fine -combination, of contrasts. The first of these, "Crepuscule,” is very atmospheric, with peculiar and bizarre effects produced by strong -.discords in the accompaniment. It was splendidly sung. The second, "Marquise ” is wonderfully eloquent and graceful and with all that very delicate, dainty and dignified —sweet. # Among encore numbers so far unmentioned (the audience being, as ever, greedy, and Dolores, as ever, cordially generous) we-ro "Robin Adair,” a triflo flat, and Haydn's "Mermaid Song.” And one encore item, with a perfectly charming and characteristic lilt of laughter in it, lingers in the memory as a gem, not only of last night's en joyable concert, but of all the enjoyable entertainment we have owed at one time and another to this singer. The song evoked applause that would not b& stilled, and so had to be repeated. Mr John Prouse is one of the few singers in New Zealand whose choice- of songs‘is invariably prompted by good taste. He Las a beautiful baritone voice; and it is notable that of late his art has broadened and he has made good progress in artistic phrasing and in glowing warmth and colour. His breath-control and tone-emission merit hearty praise. Although .he; shows oc- • casional signs of becoming a victim of j the. big-tone habit, the fact remains that Wellington people do not even yet appreciate at. his ..value this singer who lives* in ' our.-midst. If he -came from London, > and was introduced with the usual noisome -pother of declamatory advertising, he would take our audiences by storm. Even now, . although ho is in the somewhat sad position of a prophet in hie own‘country, we do not hear -him nearly often enough. He- gave |he "Pilgrim's Song” (Tschaikowsky) with fine-spirit''and-*!intelligence. In the "Morning: Hymn”, of Tieiichen the words had occasionally a tendency to overlap j and crowd each other; but the effective 1 song was r sung more- than effectively.' "The Queen of Connemara”*was admirably rendered—very intelligent and | conscientious reading, - fine , unforced feel- ! ing, keen vigour, and a very genial j humour being most naturally blended. I We suggest to Mr Prouse, however, that j in the line "Oh, my boat can' safely float in the teeth of wind and weather,” the word "wind” woiild be more effective with a short vowel. The seductive appeal of the long vowel is admitted, out at times it sounds out of*place;.this is one of those times. ,

Mr Selwyn .Shrimplin is an effective accompanist, although the tone is a trifle thinner and (as it were) more anaemic at times than could be desired. Now and then he follows rather than sustains the singer. , We don’t know what Mr Shrimplin’s solo was, but' it seemed oddly out of accord with the rest of the projpamme a wobbling, shallow, ■meretricious thing, showy without solidity,-flashy without force. There are thousands of hotter things for the piano.

■ Certain facts remain. First of all, that the hearty support given_to Dolores in Wellington augurs rather well .for the evolving musical taste of the city. Further, that the oftener Dolores, in her glad world-wanderings, can contrive to be in- Wellington, the better the intel-ligent-section of Wellington 'will like it. The appreciation last night was discriminating enough to be altogether encouraging. It seems.that already the people know a good thing—once they become in any sense accustomed to it. Dolores is not only an admirable and properly famous singer; she is also a perfect, entertainer, and among good singers that best and most human quality of charm is still somewhat rare. Dolores, then, is to be supported with thankfulness and gratitude. Here' is no question of an artist for the few. Her appeal is catholic. She offers strangely little caviare to the general. Any man. with music in his soul .cam enjoy her singing. AH lovers of those songs that form so good a part of our heritage must delight in her. She sings like a bird, but the bird has the intelligence of a visiting angel, and the sympathy of. a • whole-hearted natural woman. Her singing is as stimulating and wholesome as spring sunlight. At to-night’s concert—again, in the Opera House—there will be a complete

chans© of programme, of which particulars arc duly advertised elsewhere in uas issue.

HIS MAJESTY'S PICTURES,

That moving pictures have not lost any of that popularity which marked the first introduction of the "permanent estabUsnmeut” into Wellington was proved by' tne large and Jiiguiy appreciative audience wmch patronised tlie change oi programme at His Majesty's The* aae lust evening. New programmes are not, it appears, wholly dependent on the vagaries of the mail service, foi tnough the mail to Auckland > this week missed the express to Wellington, an entirely new set of films was presented at tnts popular picture house last evening. The programme is of a varied nature, and covers a wide range of subjects. "A Vote that Counts,” ‘a film bearing on the political tactics adopted br some American senators to gain a desired end, proves to bo both interesting and educative, and the opportunity is taken to introduce an excellent detective story. The detective in the case happens to bo a lady, who proves herself capable of using a, revolver to advantage when occasion requires. A dramatic story of more than usual merit is told in "An Eye for an Eye.” An outlawed nobleman, seeking temporary refuge till a favourable opportunity for leaving the country should present itself, goes ta the of an old friend in poor circumstances, who agrees to conceal him. AH goes well till a notice offering (to him) a fabulous reward for the caxiture of the outlaw catches the eyj'of the man's son. Cupidity then takes the place of loyalty, and the youth, though palpably ashamed of the deed he is committing, and fearful of detection, gives the necessary information to the military authorities. The capture and the handing over of the reward follow. The father, returning and finding the fugitive gone, demands an explanation, and on learning what has occurred and the cause of the capture, goes in search of his son, whom he brings before a rough tribunal of villagers. The death sentence is pronounced on the traitor, and is carried out by his father. The "Warwick Chronicle” is full of good things and gives a graphic description of the world’s most notable happenings. The effect which a sever© shock will sometimes exercise on an apparently incurable disease is shown iu "A Miraculous Recovery,” where a young .man stricken with paralysis and whose life is despaired of by specialists, is roused to action and completely cured by the signe of a girl in imminent danger. A liberal sprinkling of the ever popular "comics” serves to add variety to the programme, while the orchestral- accom* paniments are appropriate and enjoyable. To-night there will be a partial change of films, when the star item will be "The Mountain Passes x>f New Zealand.” This -film :s highly spoken of and should prove particularly interesting to New Zealanders.

THEATRE ROYAL. Scores of people were unable to obtain seating accommodation at tho Theatre Royal lost evening, when the customary change of, programme was > made by Bailers’ Vaudeville Company. A novelty team, Mr Charles Daly and Miss luttie O’Brien, comedy entertainers and “Tanglefoot DaiWi's,” made a first appearance in probably tho most unique dancing act vet figuring in local vaudeville. Dancing'specialists they claim to _ be, and as such they ranis as top-notchers. j Their opening feature is a, descriptive duet, followed by a “straight jig by Miss O’Brien. The latter _ formed an effective contrast to a weird anlae dance’’ by Mr Daly, which immediately established! his success. Miss O Snell next sang “The Dublin Rag,” and performed an Irish reel with commendable skill. Mr Daly then. - revealed himself as an undoubted comedian, in his comic song, “ I'u ncay ' With You Till It s Time to Run.” The audience enjoyed this • immensely, but thny were even more delighted with Mr Daly’s eccentric dance ■which, followed,. Im tii© latter there wore aio "beats,” but tbe danger performed grotesque bends, slides and wobbles. The concluding feature was their " Tanglefoot Dance.” 'lt was invented by Mr Daly himself about fourteen years ago, and, described briefly, is on. ingenious :coirgi/omeratioiii of wiiat is known as " legmania,” grotesque, acrobatic, and ankle dancing. With the latter Mr Daly and Miss, O’Brien achieved a veritable triumph, and it was several minutes before the applause subsided. The “mm” is a real laughter-maker, and the little patter introduced is crisp and new, . alias Jiabel Bowler, the Tasmanian suprano, though slightly nervous, sang with careful expression “To-night (Zardo). A well-deserved encore was .responded to by 'Mies Fowler with Tost! s “Good-Bve,” iu which th© richness of tone of the singer’s voice was more apparent. Miss Maud Banning and her talented little partners, the Misses Viplet, Mercia and iluia Elliott, elicited unstinted applause for their dainty songs find dances. Miss Fanning’s coon classic “ Tennessee ” and “Aint I No Use, Mr Jackson” were distinctly popular. The Misses Elliott were pleasing in 'Gay Fares ” and “Old Man Goblin." Miss Elma Anderson gave an excellent interpretation of the charming ballad “ Shadow of the Pines.” Mr George Jones’s comic contributions, “ So Does Father " and the female burlesque “Those Days When I Was Young,” were very welcome items. Miss Ettie Williams was quite captivating with the serio-comio numbers ••sv.no D-d Thatf". and “Could Like’ Me." Mr J ones and Miss Williams also figured in a clever patter and vocal' comedy “ Flirtation.” Mr Arthur Elliott had no difficulty in scoring a treble recall for his inimitable comicalities. -In •response, to a special request he added “ The Next Department.” A descriptive vocalisation, “The Fire Brigade,” was a capable effort by Mr Rupert Cuthhert. Miss May . Dahlberg’s. descriptive song.

“ The Pisher Gau." and “ Shine on. Harvest' Moon,” were warmly encored. Tho coon rag-time ditties “ I Want to bo a Sporting Mali ” and " I’d Rather Havo Polks Say" added to Mr GeorgeSpaxkcs’s prestige, and his dancing was a remarkably neat display. Miss Ruby 'Wallace’ and Miss Daphne Leslie contributed admirable serio-comic songs- and dances, and the Williamson Girls' double songs and dances were responsible for recalls. The programme will be repeated this evening. ■ ’ .. : WILLIAMSON-OSSIPOFF COM. Eugene Ossipoff, the Russian baritone, who appeared here some time ago with Mr Lawrence Campbell, will give recitals in Wellington at the Opera House on March 25th, 27th,- and 28th. While he was in Christchurch.recently M. Ossipoff gave three “request” recitals which drew large audiences. Speaking- of Iris singing of the. Toreador song from “Carmen” the Melbourne “Argus” says;—“There hare been many Toreadors on Melbourne platforms of recent years, and many of them hare been heralded with a greater metaphorical fanfare than If. Ossipoff, but few bave better conformed to the popular conception of the Toreador’s song.” The hooking is at the Dresden.