MR LEECH’S PUPILS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19333, 20 November 1924, Page 3

MR LEECH’S PUPILS.

Amongst the foremost pupil concerts heart! for some considerable time in Dunedin must bo included that given by Iho pupils who come under the tuition o( Air jonn T. Leech, in Burns Hall last evening. Mr Leech is unusually fortunate in the fact that he has an abundance of good material upon which to expend his efforts towards improvement. There were naturally a few weak features amongst the programme items, but they were only few. 'J he part song, "When Evening’s Twilight, ’ by the students’ choir, ushered m what was to follow, and was well rendered. The voices were well balanced, or if they were not no predominance was noticeable. The duct from “f/a Bohcme,” as sung by Messrs Arnold Perry and Lauri North, well deserved the commendation, it received. and very soon afterwards the tenor (Mr Perry) gave a remarkably fine rendeing of “J)i tpiclla Peru,” from ‘‘ll Trovatore ” which was reminiscent to those who have lived long in the land of Signor Gannim .Morley, of operatic fame. It was unfortunate, however, that Mr Perry elected to take the note above the stave at the end. It left a bad impression on the oar, and but for it the rendering of one of the leading tenor airs in Verdi’s opera would have been comparable with (he interpretation of a good professional. An item well worth selecting for special mention, though the audience did not enthuse over it, was “Spin to Gentile,” which snilcd Mr D. M’Noil's voice to perfection, ft is an extremely pretty aria from "La Kavourita," and was very aristically sung. Mirada's song from Bizet’s ‘‘Carmen’ 1 deserved the warm recall Mrs Stanley I'botu received for her rendering of it, aim Mr E, A. North is to bo complimented on a fine interpretation of "Sons of the Sea.” The Students’ Festival Choir sang “(foodnight, Beloved,” exceedingly well, and also the "Hunting Chorus,” from "Dorothy.” The mule portion of the choir gave ibe "Song of the. Bow” very well, but the gentlemen forming the choir wore not sufficiently numerous to get (ho 'body of tone, necessary to a completely satisfactory rendering. ’ The Indies of tho choir acquitted themselves well in “O, Lovely May,” with which the concert concluded. Thera wore several severe tests sot some of the students, and amongst them may be mentioned tho “Jewel Song” from "Faust” and "Why do the Nations Rage?” from the "Messiah.” Of the former Miss Mildren Oillions gave a highly creditable rendering, while Air W. Mitchell sang the difficult bass solo from. Handel's oratorio very well indeed. This gentleman took part with Miss if. Mitchell in tho "Miserere” duet from "II Trovatore,” anff it is probably tho first time a bass has essayed to ting tho tenor part of Manrtco, Tho key hid most likely boon lowered for the occasion, and the duet was well rendered, yet it was lacking without tho (onor voice. The quartet, "In Absence,” was particularly well sting 'by Messrs D. M'Neil. T. Swan, W. Mitchell, and 11. Guyton, the lending voice being, however, rather overshadowed by the other three. The other soloists were Miss L. Ritchie, Mr Crawford Young. Mass Lily Stevens, Mr F. B. Davoy. Miss L. Williamson, Miss S. Mitchell, and Miss D. Campbell. _ Mr C. A. Martin accompanied the soloists and Alias Etna Fountain the choir.