THE DENSEM FAREWELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2009, 25 August 1892, Page 35

THE DENSEM FAREWELL.

That the complimentary farewell benefit to 1 Mr William Denseni upon his leaving Dunedin in order to join the ranks of the professional entertainers would be a great success can never have been seriously doubted by anyone, for no local figuro has ever been more welcome on the concert platform and stage than his, and certainly the Dunedin community has never possessed a more able and more versatile entertainer than Mr Densem, whom, indeed, the public have been wont to regard with pride as one of themselves who was gifted in a high degree with vocal and histrionic ability, but the farewell, which was held on Tuesday night in the Princess Theatre, was more than a great success — it was a popular demonstration in aid of the beneficiary. The building was packed almost as closely as it could be packed, with an audience that, despite one or two disappointments, was, while discriminating, most good humoured. Downstairs there was a perfect sea of faces, and in the dress circle extra chairs and sofas had to be brought in to accommodate all the patrons of that part of the theatre. The principal disappointment which the audience experienced was in the inability of two of those whoso names appeared on the first part of the programme to fulfil their engagements. These were Miss Blanche Joel and Mr Arthur Salvini, for whom apologies were tenderedby Mr A. J. Barth. It was explained that Miss Joel was suffering from a severe cold, and that Mr Salviui had caught a chill which prevented him from singing. The audience seemed disposed to resent the nonappearance of Mr Salvini, for, upon Mr Barth montioniug that ho had to apologise on behalf of that gentleman, he was interrupted by a storm of groans and hisses, and the reading of a certificate by Dr Brown to tho effect that a chill had temporarily deprived Mr Salvini of his voice did not even satisfy tho house, who greeted it with derisive cheers. Apart altogether from tho disappointment involved in tho curtailment of the programme by two items, the concert was hardly worthy of the occasion, the majority of those who took part in it failing to do themselves justice. A very promising opening was made, the pianoforte duet " From foreign parts" (Moszkowski) being played by Messrs A. J. Barth and J. Timson with artistic skill. Mr W. Manson, too, achieved more than ordinary success in the old English song " Friar of orders grey," and earned his recall ; and Mr H. S. Reunert revived Adams' "A warrior bold," to the warmly expressed satisfaction of- tho audience. Miss Rose Blaney, however, seemed to be suffering from hoarseness, and for that reason was evidently afraid to trust her voice, which, as a matter of fact, partially failed on ono particular noto— a low one — in each verso of an effective song, entitled "Don't quite forget," by Edith Cooke, this being the only perceptible blemish in what was otherwise a true and sweet rendering. Miss Blaney's reappearance was insisted upon, and she had to return a second time to bow her acknowledgments before the plaudits ceased. Nor was Signor Squarise heard to tbo best advantage in his violin solo — " Robert the Devil " (Alard^— which was well adapted to display his executive ability. Mr James Jago has sung Pinsuti's "Tho King's minstrel" with greater effect, and Miss Nellie Stevenson is capable of much better vocalism than she exhibited in " The old Cremona " (Jude), to which Mr E. Parker contributed a violin obbligato. Each of the last-mentioned vocalists was, however, recalled. The name of Mr Harry Smith— who was heartily welcomed on his roappearance after a lengthened absence — was tho next on the programme, and the audience were manifestly delighted at once more hearing his fine voice with its sympathetic quality in no degree impaired. Donizetti's lovely cavatina, "Sco yon rose," which Mr Smith has never previously given in public in Dunedin, was tho song with which he re-introduced himself, and he rendered it with an amount of expression and a 1 degree of finish that secured for him an irresistible encore — the first of the evening. For the repeat number Mr Smith gave Christabel's admirable version of "Maid of Athens." Signor Squarise supplied a tasteful violin obbligato, but the vocalist was not so successful in the song as he has been on some former occasions. Tho trio, " Tho magic wove scarf," by Miss Blaney, M«ssrs F. L. Jones, and Harry Smith, was barely satisfactory ; and then, it being found impossible to introduce into the opera forming the second part of the bill the song, " I'm the factotum," from " The Barber of Seville," for which there had been numerous requests, Mr Densem appeared at that juncture to redeem his promise to sing it. He was received with round after round of applause, which was renewed upon the conclusion of the irresistibly humorous song that has, within the last year or two, been so much associated with Mr Densem's name. His excellent rendering of it has been so often mentioned in terms of praise that it is only necessary now to say that he repeated his former successes. He was recalled a second time by the audience, who were probably in hopes that Mr Densem would, in accordance with professional precedent, deliver " a few well-chosen remarks," but who were instead regaled with "Father O'Flynn," also in Mr Densem's best style. After an interval, Balfe's single-act opera " The Queen of Leon " was staged with its old cast, comprising Mrs W. Murphy (Queen of Leon), Mrs W. Angus (Donna Agnes), Mr C. Umbers (Philippe de Aguilar), and Mr W. Densem (the Regent). As was only natural the public interest centred chiefly on tho performance of •Mr Densem, which, indeed, by the merit that it intrinsically possessed, deserved to bear off the palm. Mr Densem's impersonation of the imbecile regent was an admirable example of burlesque acting, and there was a vein of rich comedy running all through it. The initial song, " I'm the Regent," was given with splendid effect by Mr Densem, but it was his grotesque acting that was the feature of the opera, notwithstanding that the prettily concerted music which abounds was excellently rendered. In' this regard Mesdames Murphy and Angus both did great service. Neither lady has any solo iv tho opera to speak of, but Mrs Murphy, who was vivacious as usual, introduced " The power of love " with marked success, and her expressive rendering of the 6ong was received with loud applause. Mrs Angus was a capital Donua Agnes and sang exceedingly well. Mr Umbers made a gallant Philippe, and, while " Queen of my heart " was hardly suited to him, he contributed tho charming song "She sleeps" with admirable effect. The orchestra did its work well under the leadership of Mr Parker. It bhould be added that Mr Barth was musical director of the entertainment, and that Miss Kate Moloney and Mr Timson, with him, divided "the duties of accompanists for the concert part of the programme.