JOSEPH HISLOP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20268, 29 November 1927, Page 5

JOSEPH HISLOP.

FIRST CONCERT TO-NIGHT. For his gala performance at His Majesty’s Theatre to-night, Mr Joseph Hislop, the famous tenor has selected a particularly interesting programme. The booking is heavy, and a record attendance ia expected for the opening of his Dunedin season. The principal item will be the aria “ Ah; Fuyez, from Massenet’s famous opera “ Manon.” This number will be accompanied by organ, piano, and chimes. It has created a furore at the cor certs already given in New Zealand, thn item having to be repeated or followed by four, or five encores. Mr W. Paget Gale has been engaged as organist for this number. In the scene in Massenet’s opera in which the big aria is sung Chevalier des Grieux has been deserted by Manon and is about to enter a monas tery and take the vows. It is a song of renunciation. The sweet visions of thi past for which he will henceforth seek consolation in prayer are beautifully depicted in this song of very tender memories—a number in which Mr Hislop excells to the greatest advantage. “ Lord RandaTT” by Cyril Scott, is another number which has been greeted with intense enthusiasm by the Australian ana New Zealand papers. In this number Mr Hislop reveals himself as an artist of rare distinction, and invests it with wonderful atmosphere, the feeling of hope less langour being intensified t each repe tition of the son’s expressed wish to lie down, and a climax of extraordinary power is reached in the outburst of rage. Mr Hislop has the gift of accumulation and the shutting off of tone at the least possible notice. He covers, spreads, and warms his voice with remarkable skill and grace. Sudden alterations from the lyric to the dramatic style prove his tech meal virtuosity. A selection of the latest ballads is also included in a brilliant and varied programme. Mr Alberto Sciarretti, a solo pianist of extrem € brilliancy, with a fine reputation in America and Europe, will play a number of piano solos new to this part of the world. His principal numbers will be “ Prelude and Fugue,” by Sgam bati, and some items by Italian composers In response to a great number of requests his encores to-night include the popular Liebestraum,” by Liszt, also one of the Chopin waltzes. The arrangements for the box plan are advertised. No one will be admitted during the performance of an item. This rule will be enforced during the season, for the general convenience of music-lovers. The doors will open sharp at 7 p.m. Since his arrival in New Zealand, Mr Joseph Hislop has been feted and acclaimed, and Dunedin is ready to extend him a wonderful welcome as Britain’s ambassador of song, who has won such ser.sational success in every opera house and concert hall of note in the world The fact that he was the first British artist of international fame to sine in the Opera Comique. Paris, speaks for itself. On the death of the great Caruso Hislop was proclaimed his successor. New Zealanders have risen to the occasion to do him honour, even to th* extent of breaking J and N. Tait’s concert records for attendances.