SCHWARTZ-ASSHETON CONCERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20433, 13 June 1928, Page 2

SCHWARTZ-ASSHETON CONCERT.

The second of a series of three concerts was given by Miss Dawn Assheton and Mr Laszlo Schwartz in Burns Hall last evening, which was evidently enjoyed by those present. The programme was very much cm the same lines as that of Saturday night, but a number of new selections was heard; in fact, it was practically a fresh set of vocal and instrumental items the audience was treated to. Miss Assheton was a large contributor to the evening’s entertainment, her opening number being a famous aria from Rossini’s “ Barber of Seville,” which she sang with very fine effect. Many professional and amateur lady vocalists have sung “ One Fine Day.” from Puccini’s “ Madame Butterfly,” in Dunedin, but few have equalled and none excelled the rendering Miss Assheton gave of this rather exacting soprano solo. Varied treatment is required from the expectant Japanese lady who awaits the return of her English lover, in singing the aria, which terminates dramatically. Miss Assheton’s conception of the requirements of “ One Fine Day " was the correct one, and the aria as sung was a pleasure to listen to. The other songs included in the same group were “ Moonchild,” “ The Unfortunate," and “ Bald Head Lee.” In the negro spiritual group Miss Assheton appeared in a new role, in which she was just as successful as in the others. “ Oh! When I Get to Heaven,” “Peter Jackson,” and “ I Got a Robe,” were all to be commended. In her third lot of selections the audience heard Hungarian and Bohemian folk songs, four of these being given most attractively. Finally Miss Assheton sang vocal selections composed by Mr Schwartz, Schumann, and John Suckling, the last being an old English air dating back to 1609 or thereabouts. Most of Miss Assheton’s songs were given in costume, which heightened the effect. Mr Schwartz gave six violin solos, in addition to Several recall numbers, for neither he nor Miss Assheton was allowed to escape the inevitable demand on several occasions for his or her reappearance. Mr Schwartz’s opening solos were “ Deutscher Tanz,” an air, and a menuetto by Haydn. He afterwards added “ Rusian Dances,” “ Oriental Lament,” and “ Hungarian Dances," all of his own composing. These were all rendered in an attractive manner, and drew from those present loud applause. Mr Schwartz also made a number of comments on music and musical composition. The accompaniments were all very capably played by Mr Eric Bell, The final concert will be given this evening in Burns Hall.