DAWSON-CABALLERO CONCERTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21976, 10 June 1933, Page 9

DAWSON-CABALLERO CONCERTS

DATES OF DUNEDIN SEASON. “If any doubt lingered in the mind of the rising generation as to the popularity of the baritone, Peter Dawson,” says a Wellington critic, “ it should have been dispelled last night when the huge Town Hall was crowded and the overflow was accommodated in the organ gallery. Of course many came to hear Senor Tapia Caballero, the young Spanish pianist, and he shared in equal measure the ovation accorded the artists at the conclusion of the concert. In fact, rarely has. an artist on his first appearance been accorded a reception in this city marked by such warmth and enthusiasm. His portion of the programme, admirable in content and most judiciously arranged, enabled Senor Caballero to give a demonstration of remarkable pianistic artistry. He impressed as being an artist whose technique is infallible/ and a musician whose mind is of the highest order. . . . Mr Dawson began with opera— ‘ She Alone Charmeth iMy Sadness,’ from Gounod’s ‘ Iren,’ which, by the way, showed off the lower part of his voice—and later returned to that sphere with outstanding popular success, when he gave cleverly Rossini’s buffo song of the barber (‘Largo al Factotum’). Both excerpts wore sung in English. Other numbers presented were ‘ Who is Sylvia?’ (Schubert), ‘Chanson de la Touraine ’ (Massenet), and, in the closing ballad section, * Boots,’ ‘ Cells,’ and ‘The Floral Dance.’ This last was a request number, its announcement received with the liveliest exhibition of pleasure. Noteworthy modern English songs were Malcolm Davidson’s ‘ A Christmas Carol,’ Martin Shaw’s ‘ Ships of Yule,’ Hely Hutchinson’s ‘ The Old Soldier,’ Julius Harrison’s ‘ Sea Winds,’ and, especially, Stanford’s ‘ The Pibroch.’ Widely differing as to themes, these had in common the quality of interesting piano parts, contributing definitely in suggestiveness to the impact of the song on the imagination. Also heard was Barratt’s ‘ Coronach,’ known here in its original form as a piano piece.” The Dunedin concerts, which will be under the management of Messrs J. and N. Tait, will be given in the Town Hall on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, •Tune 20, 22, and 24. The box plans will be opened at the Bristol on Thursday next, and other particulars are advertised.