HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10137, 25 August 1904, Page 2

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

MR. TONER'S GRAND EVENING RECITAL,

The concert recital arranged by Mr Toner attracted to his Majesty's last evening the largest audience that the theatre has yet held. All parts of the house were full, and on this score the success of the entertainment was undoubted. The crowded and somewhat critical audience were certainly given plenty m the lengthy programme "set down for discussion, and the number of items was almost doubled by tlie encores which the audience set out to demand' from the very first song. As to the quality of tha conoert. as' a whole, there can be but one opinion that a first class evening's entertainment was provided. Three or four of last night's performers showed great promise, and liave a future before them, but the artistic success of the recital was weakened by the introduction of debutantes who are yet below concert platform m many respects. Perhaps this is inseparable from a recital where pupils predominate, and Mr Toner at the commencement craved the kind indulgence of the audience on this point. With the exception, that the programme could well have been curtailed m this direction the recital passed) off well. Mr Toner is to be congratulated on the high degree of success achieved by the majority of his pupils', several of whom as before stated, quite surprised the audience with their fine singing, showing the benefits derivable from Mr Toner's methods of voice production. The purity of tone, excellent enunciation, i and thoughtful phrasing of two or tliree of the pupils m particular were a subject for general admiration, while the little blemishes noticeable should soon disappear under Mr Toner's careful training. The "Twentieth' Century March," an instrumental quartette by" Messrs A. J. Massey, A. W. Adair, L. Sherriff, and J. H. Gittos. opened the recital. The bright and pretty strains of the selection were ably played, and proved an eujoyable overture. Mr H. Gibson, who has a good baritone voice, of the light order, was encored for his song, "The Vagabond," and repeated a verse. A good dbal of interest attached to the appearance of Miss Eileen Law, a young lady whose vocal nowers have been rated as of an exceptionally high standard. Her treatment of the favorite song, "A May Morning," was tasteful and effective, and her mezzo-soprano voice, which is well under control, proved to be of fine quality and purity of tone. She received an instant recall, and favored the audience with another verse. Mr Percy Adair sang "Beauty's Eyes," with violin obbligato by Miss Wellstcd, and his pleasing rendition secured) him an imperative' encore. He gave "Far Away," m response. In the second half he sang "The Tore? ador," from tlie opera ''Carmen," and though the number is one that is a 'tax on the powers of all vocalists, he acquitted himself creditably. "The Soul's Awakening," by Mrs C. B. de Lautour, was one of the best items of the evening. She has a contralto voice of pleasing strength, and good range, and her rendition exhibited an intelligent reading of the theme of the song, which was given with an organ, violin, and piano accompaniment. Mrs de Lautour is a welcome addition to the ranks of our platform singers. Mr Green sang "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes," and for an encore "In Old Madrid." His voice is sweet, nut lacks power and volume, and would be more effective m a smaller 'hall. The singer should also face the audience where possible. Mr Toner must be complimented) on his introduction of Miss Madeline Knight to a local audience. Mascheroni's "The Land of Yesterday," was Miss Knight's first item, and her cultured voice was heard to great advantage. For an encore she gave a particularly sympathetic rendering of a child song, "Nobody Else," and to most people this was her most pleasing effort. Tosti's "Goodrbye" m the second half was also a splendidlytreated number, but her conception of the song was not so true as m "Nobody Else." Another gem of melody from the vocalist was the encore number "Love tho Pedlar," M'hich was given with beautiful taste and artistic finish. Messrs Kohere, Wepiha, Brown, and Clarke were recalled for their resonant harmony m "The Last Rose of Summer," and gave m response a Maori hymn With equal success. A notable item was the duet "Oh, Fair Wand, Had I the Power," from Wallace's opera "Maritaiia." Miss Knight and Mr. Toner succeeding iv arousing the enthusiasm of their hearers, who insisted on a repetition of the musical treat. Mrs Fry lias a '■■ richly melodious voice, and though her articulation will stand improvement, she gave a fine rendering of "Gondola Dreams," repeating a verse for a well-merited encore. .Mr A. J. Massey's solos were -well up to the usual high standard of this able violinist. He played Mendelssohn's "Andante Concert Concerto," and for an encore Brago's "Serenata." Miss Redstone is a vocalist, of recognised ability, and her first contribution, "Sunshine and Rain," was given with all the sweetness and expression whioh ber cultivated contralto voice possesses. On being recalled she sang "Killarney" with taste and feeling. Mr Toner's song- from "Faust," "Loving Smiles of Sister Kind!," was well suited ! to his strong baritone voice, and the item was, given with the confident power of the cultured musician. • "Father CFlynn," was the encore, and this favorite song assumed a finer meaning and greater force , by means of his brilliant rendering. Mr Wepilia was recalled for his capable treatment of "A Serenade m Summer," the song suiting-. his full, pleasant voice. Miss Paviour's sweet sop- 1 rona voice was heard! to much advantage j m her song, "Dreams," and she well deserved an encoro for her pleasing vocalisation. •Mr J. H. Gittos, whose services as accompanist are much sought after, presided) at the piano, and contributed m a large measure to the success of the concert.. Mrs Toner acted as: organist.