THE MAORI TENOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13786, 27 December 1906, Page 3

THE MAORI TENOR.

KAXGTUA'S BIUTrSII SITOKSSKS. iFnOU OCR Owx L'ORniSPOXDEXT.) LONDON. November IG. Kangiuia, the Maori lenor, continues to make a i-i'iiiarkable shots? in tills country. It i'i not merely in London—where he bus as ninny engagements as lie tan possibly fulfil—but also in the provincial cities he is winning triumphs. He ha* lately been fulfilling engagements in Ireland and in Bcm laud (Aberdeen., (jlasgmv. au:l Kiliuliurgh) lo say nothing of important centres, such as Liverpool. (If a recent concert in Aberdeen the leadling local impel' says: "When to ait atirat'iivo programme was added the novelty of a real Maori chief. cliul in full N.itivo costume, to'fill the role of tenor .soloist, tlio appeal had an effect much wider than the merely musical. That Chieftain Kan^itii.i is the genuine article no doubt can bo entertained, while his musical abilities are no less beyond qneMion. Ilis little introductory speech, delivered in perfect Knglisb. came as a sort of surprise—the first of many—culminating in the encore io bis .second song, .when, seating himself at the piano, Kangiuia sang lo an artistic accompaniment ' lionifl. weet bfijne.' And sang it extremely well, too; otic did not know which to admire more, the singing or the playing. The Maori chief's command of our language is not to be wondered at, seeing that'from the ajte of fivo he was educated at an English school, but his musical gifts are undoubtedly natural and of a very high order. His voice is of a very pleasant qmdiiy, and not wanting in either power or compass. He had it for the most part, in good control, and sings with excellent taste, though both control and tasto strike ono as being the result of an artistic temperament rather than of any great amount of acquired skill. In other words, Kangiuia seemeteS'a trained singer than a naturally tasteful one. He sings with neatness and a good-deal of expression, vocalising in particular a soft passage with charming lone and taste. Those who came expecting 1o hear something sensational in Eangiuia's renderings of the music of his native la-nd must; have been disappointed, for save in the monotony common to the music of all primitive races there was nothing of the rudo barbarian about it. The two Maori songs which lie sang al bis first appearance were charming, especially the 'Mother's song.' which, tho singer informed his uudionee, was sung by bis mother. On bis reappearance be sang ail English' version of a Maori love-King, fho music of which was of a much more advanced or finished type than the music of the. two previous songs. 110 also sang 'Annio Laurie.' bringing out the tender phrases of the old ballad with a wonderful sweetness. To both of these songs Kangiuia played bis own accompaniment, and also io ' Home, sweet home,' which be gave in response to an enthusiastic oncore. Other contributions by llangiuia were a ' Maori lament' and ' To I'oi,' a graceful danco with plaintive melody and quaint movements peculiar to the Maori race. A. feature in I ho dance was tile marking of the rhythm by means of a small bladder attached lo a handle which the singer heat on bis hands and various parts of bis body. Tho song or chant which accompanied the dance seemed to consist; of- the repetition of a few words and a few bars of music. Tho chief, who was clad in tho picturesque dress of his tribe, seems to be a particularly bright, ami intelligent young man." At an early dale liangiuia is going over lo Varis for a fortnight to fulfil a professional engagement. lie is booked for a. Jong time abend, and the Dublin people want, him lo go there again soon, but it is doubtful whether lie will be able to manage this. Wherever ho goes be is accorded a splendid time, and he meets with much kindlier. During a recent professional tour

in Irelan.l imo of hU host* lont lum a motor car so ilia' }»» might, without Iroulilo, alxml :l\o country 10 fuiiii ilit* various fixtures wim'h had bn»ii unxlo for him. flc has Iwconw* now, and not find i.!n> dimalo so irving flh bf did on arrival wvoral voars ago, when ho had rathe:* a sorious I\<wntly Kangiuia has received some'valuable advice to ilio frpflimoni of liis throat from Sir 1-raiicis Lakhi;'. thfl Kind's physician, who has been a kindly interest in the Maori tenor.

BOWXr. COMPLAINT IN CHILDREN. During the summer months children are subject to disorders of the bowels. and shc.uHl receive the most careful attention. As'soon a-s uuy luosoiiiitg- of the bowels is noticed. Chamberlain's ('olie, Cholera, anil Diarrhoea Remedy should 1)0 given, Oct a bottle to-day; it may save a life. For sale by all chemists anil storekeepers.

•WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS h»« stood the tut for nearly 50 yeari.