MDLLE.; TREBELLI'S CONCERT SEASON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 47

MDLLE.; TREBELLI'S CONCERT SEASON.

Although two and a-half years have elapsed since Mdlle. Trebolli last honoured Dunedin with her presence, the memory of her stay here is fre3h in the minds of all music lovers. Her last season here, it will be remembered, was attended with the utmost success, and last evening, on the occasion of the first concert of the season, indications were not wanting that she will in this instance achieve a similar triumph. The season was opened under the worst possible meteorological conditions, for during the. day snow again fell, and frost setting in as the. evening advanced, the prospect of a couple of hours in the Garrison Hall was anything- but cheerful. The discouraging outlook, however, was not sufficient to deter a large number from attending the concert, and when Mdlle. Trebelli faced the numerous gathering the warmth of her reception, to use her own words, entirely dispelled the frigid temperaturo of the atmosphere. And if fervour of. applause had such, a highly desirable effect on the thermometer thus early in the proceedings. Mademoiselle must have enjoyed all the pleasures} of a summer's evening as the concert reached a more advanced stage, for s,omo idea of the manner in which those present demonstrated their appreciation 1 of the musical feast provided for them may

be gathered from, the fact that the programme was supplemented, through encore numbers, to exactly twice its original length. The concert belonged to an order which, although not entirely new, is not so frequently met with here as other forms of musical entertainments. We have organ recitals and pianoforte recitals occasionally, but not song recitals. It is of this latter character, however, that the series of concerts to be given during the present season will partake. The fact that song recitals are unknown here is not far to seek, for it can be readily conceived that none but artists of the highest standing could entertain an audience with a succession of vocal solos unrelieved by any concerted music whatever. This, however, proved an easy task to Mdlle. Trebelli and to Mr John Prouse, the well-known popular vocalist, who accompanies her. The difficulty, in shorf, laid not in the direction of maintaining the interest of the audience, bujt in satisfying their demands. The list of 10 songs — difficult and lengthy many of them — was by no means sufficient, and even when the number was extended to 20, and the last note of the final number died away amidst prolonged applause, the audience manifested a strong desire to linger in their seats. The programme was opened with the recit. and aria " Ernani involani " (Verdi), and it afforded the distinguished singer an opportunity of demonstrating the, fact~ that her voice retains all its purity and power. The interpretation of the exacting number was marked by all those qualities which caused her last visit to be cherished in the memories o£ all song lovers — rich, round, liquid notes, artistic and quite marvellous executive skill. Indeed, her singing throughout the wholeevening was a revelation in vocalisation, and there was no cause for surprise to note that the applause which greeted her efforts was enthusiastic in its fervour. In strong contrast to the Verdi selection were the succeeding numbers — " Love was once a little boy," sung as an encore to her first solo; "The tear" (Rubinstein) and " Songs my mother taught me " (Dvorak), which were bracketed for her next contribution, and the ensuing encore item, Massenet's " Open thy blue eyes." In all of these Mdlle. Trebelli succeeded in conveying to her audience a full conception of that artistic ability with which her singing is imbued — an artistic force which alone can impart to a simple air that exquisite subtle effect which holds an audience mute and still till the last lingering note. It has well been said that the true artist is disclosed in the simple air. Many a vocalist can execute trills and runs and vocal gyrations in a profoundly surprising manner, but few can hold an audience spellbound with a rendering of "Home, eweet homo " or "The last rose of summer." Be it in a simple melody or in florid operatio innsic, however, Mdlle. Trebelli is ever effective. Her singing of Dvorak's " Songs my mother taught me," and the good, old Scotch air, "I'm owro young to many yet" (an encore solo, sung later in the evening), moved her audience as deeply as the magnificent recitative and aria of Verdi. Massenet's '-' II esi doux" ("Herodiade"), a tarantelle by Bizet, Gounod's "Biondina Bella" and "Ho Messo," and Tosti's "Spring," the remaining solos placed in the programme against Mdlle. Trebelli's name, are a sufficiently varied selection to test the versatility and skill of any singer, and yet sung, as they were, witli all tire inimitable grace and taste for which Mademoiselle is noted, perhaps some excuse might be found for the somewhat trying demands of the audience for more. The vocalist good-naturedly responded, and, besides the air mentioned, she sang in addition. "Solvig's Lied" (Grieg), "Cherry ripe," ana Auber's "Laughing song." [n respect of this last number, many will doubtless be pleased to hear that she has acquiesced to the request of the Liedertafel that ahe might include it in the programme of to-night's concert. Mr Prouse has many admirers in Dunedin, and it is scarcely necessary to add that tho greeting extended to him lacked nothing in the way of warmth. Ever in good form, his voice scem3 to have even increased in vigour sinco last he was heard here, while his singing proved a most pleasurable feature of the evening. He opened his contributions with a Hungarian folk song, "Had a horse" (Korbay), which is new to Dunedin conoertgoers. The number was sung with admirable effect, but to the minds of many Mr Prouse's best efforts were "The wanderer" (Schubert) and "Vulcan's song" from. "Philemon and Baucis." Without a doubt, these were cplendidly sung, the phrasing, enunciation, and intonation affording a perfect treat to- all present. Encores, which would admit of no denial, were demanded for tlie whole three, and Mr Prouse responded with ' k I cannot help loving thee " (Clayton Johns), " The minstrel boy," and " W"hen I awake" (Ellen Wright). Sullivan's " I would I were a king " waa rendered with equal skill, and an encore being again demanded, Mr Prouse sang " The deathless army " (Trotere). This latter proved such a successful effort that the audience insisted upon Mr Prouse reappearing, sind in doing so he sang again the last verse. Mdlle. Trebelli played some of her own accompaniments, and the remainder were played by Aliis Florence Harding, to whom a special word of praise is duo.

After tho concert was concluded the members of the Liedertafel repaired to Wain's Hotel, where Mdlle. Trebelli is staying, and serenaded the eantatrice. Under the baton of Mr Jesse Timson they sang " Andernach in Rhineland " (Abt), " Spin spin " (Jungst), and "Come in the stilly night" (Wendler). At the conclusion of the serenade, Mr W. Manson, on behalf of the society and the musical public of Dunedin, welcomed Mdlle. Trebelli to the city. Mademoiselle, who evidenced delight at the compliment extended her, expressed her warm thanks to the society, and also took occasion to refer to the high state of efficiency to which the Liedertafel had evidently attained since her last visit here.