Song Recital.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 8490, 25 May 1904, Page 4

Song Recital.

It was a distinct compliment to Miss Lloyd Hassell that so many people attended her recital last evening in the Wear Street Hall, for the weather was cold, wet, and consequently miserable, and the inducement must have been strong which brought those present from their comfortable : firesides on such a night. However,, the unstinted applause bestowed upon the singer was an evidence that her efforts were thoroughly appreciated, and that the audience were pleased that they had braved the elements to be present on the occasion. Miss Hassell went through a long programme of 14 numbers, including encores. She possesses a strong mezzo-soprano voice, fairly flexible, and generally well under control. Some of her notes are particularly full and sweet, and within her range she is very effective. Her enunciation is exceedingly clear. She was at her best in "Beloved it is morn" .Avlward). Here the sweetest and fullest notes of her voice were used with fine effect, and the whole number gave evidence of careful training. Another item in. which Miss Hassell was heard to advantage was Tosti's "Good-bye," the opening of each verse being sweetly and sympathetically rendered, though the ending was somewhat disappointing, One of the encore numbers, too, deserves special mention, "0, my babbie," In this song Miss Hassell managed her voice with great skill in the pianissimo of the chorus. In fact, so taken were the audience with the number that the singer had to submit to a further recall, when she repeated one verse. Among the other numbers fiven by Miss Hassell were:—"Winter" (Scott Gatty), "Du Meine Seele," (Schumann) and 'The March Wind" (Aspinall). This latter was the best of the trio, and secured a pronounced encore, when "Lizzie Lindsay" was given Then came "Dawn" (Somerset) and "Waldesgesprach" (Schumann),- the latter being encored The remaining items were : —"A barque at midnight" (Lambert), "The night has a thousand eyes" (Lambert), and "I know a lovely garden" (Guy d'Hardelob). As encores Miss Hassell sang "Good-night, little love" (Friedenthal), and "Home, sweet Home." All the solos were well received by the audience, who were lavish of their applause, and Miss Hassell must have been gratified at the manifest appreciation which rewarded her efforts. Mr W. H. Ross, whose presence on the platform is always welcome, seconded Miss Hassell in providing the evening's enjoyment. His first song "Loyal death" (Stainer) was well received, and he seenred an enthusiastic encore, when he rendered "O Star of Eve" from "Tannhauser." Mr Rose's next number "Unbeloved" (Stainer) was his best .effort, his strong, yet rich voice being heard in it with fine effect. As a second encore he sang "The Bedouin love song" in his own .well-known-style. The accompaniments were sympathetically played by Mr Burry, the popular organist of St. Luke's Church, who deserves special mention for the care with which he seconded the soloists. 'Mr Burry also contributed piano solos as follows:—"Sonate Pathetiquc" (Beethoven), "Spring song" (Mendelssohn; "Polacca in A major" (Chopin), and as an encore "Summer dreams" (one of his own compositions). All. Mr Burry's solos were enjoyed by the audiencey and he exhibited in the rendering of the numbers great technical ability with an adequate appreciation of expression He, too, was rewarded with lond applause.