HISS ERI THOMSONS CONCERT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2882, 16 June 1909, Page 69

HISS ERI THOMSONS CONCERT.

The Dunadin publio paid Miss Eri ''Thorny son the compliment of attending the concert tendered her on. the 10th in such numbers that "Burns Hall, in. which the concert was given, proved far too small to even afford standing room for alt. The result' was that many had to wend their way homeward without hearing the- young lady of whose vocal powers Madame Melba lady of whose vocal powers Madame Melba has so high an opinion. On making her first entry Miss Thomson, was accorded a most cordial reception. Her song was Bohm 3 " Still as the night," tne singing of the first few bars of which was amply sufficient to" prove indisputably that Miss Thomson has an exceedingly fine contralto voice, particularly as far as the lower portion is concerned. Possibly there 'was room for a more artistic rendering of the 6ong, but it is to be assumed that Miss Thomson does not yet lay claim, to having reached a high artistic level. That is to come. Besides, allowance ha& to be made for an evident nervousness on the part of the lady, which would materially affect her treatment of the music. Greater composure- would in all probability have meant greatly improved interpretation. The audience was delighted with Miss Thomson's performance, and applauded vigorously until .-he returned to ifas stase in acceptance of the strongly expressed wish to again hear her. Her next song was Mallinson's "Let them not vanish," which was sung with somewhat better results than the first selection, and again Mies Thomson had to submit to the pressing invitation to reappear. It was, however, in her last song that Miss Thomson showed greatest advantage. This was Liddle's "Abide with me," into the singing of which Miss Thomson put a good deal of feeling, expression, and animation. The singer was on more than one occasion presented with beautiful baskets of flowers. Miss Helen Gardner sang Leoni's "The merry maiden " very successfully, and later gave Mallinson's " Snownakes," and was in both instances called upon to reappear. Miss Helen K. Walker's playing of Musin s " Mazurlia de concert" on fche violin suffered somewhat through being taken too slowly, but earned for her the honour of an encore. " Bohemienne," by • Vieuxtempe, was her second solo, and this was a superior effort, and justified the admiration of th© audience. Mr Jamee Jago sang Lohr's " Love's proving," which- did not suit him particularly well, and also Salaman's "I irif-a from dreams of thee." The latter was givepi by request, and was one of the best items of the evening. Mr A. Harrison 6ang "Midsummer dreams," by D'Hardelot, with much acceptance. The Orpheus quartet gave two glees very well — one, " The image of the roses," being singled out as worthy of repetition. The Dunedin Liedertafel, under the baton of Mr Jcese Timson, sang two part songs, one of which had to be repeated. Mr W. Paget Gale occupied the responsible post of accompanist, and had therefore a heavy evening's work. He also contributed two movements of a composition by Mendelssohn on the piano. Dr Nisbet, in the course of a few remarks before the close of the concert, in the name of Miss Thomson, thanked those present for theii attendance, all those who had come forward to assist at the concert, and especially mentioned the joint secretaries — Messrs W. Paget Gale and Maitland Gardner.