SONG RECITAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19202, 19 June 1924, Page 11

SONG RECITAL.

MB ERNEST DRAKE’S PUPILS. There was n, very large attendance at the song recital given in Burns Hall by the pupils of Mr Ernest Drake lost cveiung, and those present wore treated to singing of an unusually high standard. Amongst tao sopranos, contraltos, and basses some remarkably lino voices were hom'd, and hi addition there was ample evidence of musical talent, and good training. There are also one or two nice light tenors included in the ranks of Mr Drake’s pupils, who sing well, but the voices are pot too robust. In the part song "In This Hour,” by Giro Pinsuti, the whole of the pupils were engaged 'and made a very efficient choir. There was probably over 50 taking part in tiie opening item, and from the volume of sound produced it was quite apparent that all were assisting in what was a highly creditable rendering. There was in particularly a fine body of bass noticeable in all tho concerted music. Later the gentleman vocalists- gave the “Song of the Volga Boatmen” with excellent effect, and the closing item in a. very long programme was Elgar's “As Torrents in Hummer,” which was well rendered. Messrs J. I). M’Leod and A. Walmaloy sang very acceptably, ’they are both tenors, and the songs selected suited them admirably. lliere were “Myra” and “Thrush at Eve,” sung by Mr M’Lood; and “An Evening Song” given by Mr 'VVnlm.slov. Miss Ida Lungley sung tho aria “Softly Awakes My Heart,” from Samson and Delilah, exceptionally well. Miss Lungley has a, good full-toned contralto voice ’which smiled iho aria. Contralto honours lay between her and Miss Lottie Scott, who gave a very fine rendering of “A Request.” It was something more than a puoil effort that (he audience heard from Miss Scott. “Within These Sacred Bowers,” from Mozart’s “Magic Flute.” cannot bo successfully sung unless the vocalist is a. (rue bass, and (he Rev. S. F. N. Wayinoulh is certainly that. He sang the aria most commcndably. Of the soprano solos there was nothing more artistically tendered than “One Fine Day,” from Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly.” The singer was Miss Mae Mathoson, who gave a highly satisfactory rendering of a by no means oasy solo. Miss Eileen Emmet-son sang “By the Waters of Minnetonka’’ very nicely and Mr W. L. Booth gave Liza Lehmann's “Myself when Young” with good effect. There was a disposition on the part of the audience to encore Mr Walmsley, hut Mr Drake very properly pointed out that the programme was a very long one and suggested that encores should not be sought for. 'Hiis hint those present accepted, but il did not, them recalling ever-- one of the perlonners, and in one isolated ca.su breaking through the rule. This was when a lad named E. Gumpatez, who possesses a very correct oar for music and has a sweet pretty voice, sane “Cherry Ripe” very nicely. Miss Elsie Bryant gave an impressive rendering of “Silent Night,” and tho oilier vocalists were Miss Morrison MacDonald. Miss Doris Wheeler, Mr J. Spiro, Mrs Alex. Macartney. Mr A. -I. l.iingiey. Miss Belli Jackson. Miss Muriel Leslie, and Mr E. G. Carter. The choir was conducted by Mr Drake, who has every reason to be proud of his pupils; and Miss Ida Lungley and Mr ('. A. Martin provided the pianoforte a-com paniinents ; the lady being seldom absent from the piano.