A MUSICAL EVENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16705, 24 July 1928, Page 5

A MUSICAL EVENT

ALFRED O'SHEA AT OPERA HOUSE The high repute in the world of opera, and concert singing held by Mr. Aurcu O'Shea made ine visit to Cisborne of ilie talented Irish tenor an event vvJiidi was eagerly anticipated by I lie lovers of music m ibis district, and wlien die dinger gave Ins first recital in Hie Opera. House last evening to a large audience he was accorded a wondeifut reception. After hearing Mr. O'Shea, and his two associate artists, Miss Claire. Hartgo, violinist, and Miss Kathleen Fitzgerald, pianist, the general opinion was that it was very seldom that Gisborne had the privilege of listening to three soloists whoso worlc gave such real pleasure; each artist was outstanding, and every number in the delightful programme was a musical treat.

Mr. O'Shea has a. compelling personality, and a fine resonant rich quality in his voice, and a, control in tone and technique which makes every song perfect in execution. His enunciation, too, is clear and distinct, and bo gives a marked expression to every .single thought conveyed in the song, and his interpretation 'or each number, whether an operatic aria or a simple, ballad, was such as to make it a masterpiece. Mr. O'Shea',- concert items comprised a rich ami rare variety, and in each lie was aimost equally good. Tin-, lirst chosen was Puccini's aria, " Che Gc.lida Manilla " (" Your Tiny Hand is Frozen "), from "La lloheme," and he infused deep feeling into that lovely song. The artist responded with two charming ballads. " When Song is 'Sweet " arid. " The Low-Backed Cur," and the latter number at once established his popularity with bis countrymen. Two bracketed numbers, an excellent contrast, were

" My Desire " (Cadman) and " Life and Death " (S. Coleridge-Taylor), and m each he secured the true atmosphere of the sung, and expressed the meaning of the composer. Applauded to the echo, .Mr. O'Shea. was compelled to return, and contributed " Questu o Quella," from the first act of Verdi's " Uigoletto," which he .sang with great feeling and sympathy. Still the audience was not satisfied, and as a fourth number the Lenoi' gave the old time favorite. "Ben Bolt."'

In the second half of the programme, Mr. O'Shea's lirst. bracket opened with Codard's " Berceuse " (" Angels Guard Thee "), with which he. scored great popularity; the effect of this delightful number was heightened by ;i violin obli gato artistically played by Miss Hartge. In recalls, the tenor was equally sue cessful with "Annie Laurie." and

'• Fileen 0," the latter a delightful little Irish ballad not previously Heard in Gisborne, while "Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Shaded?" completed a delightfully varied bracket, which served to prove further Mr. O'Shea's versatility. v on lii.s final appearance, Mr. O'Shea opened with Coates' " Fairy Talcs of Ireland," which was followed by (lie old favorite, "La Donna e .Mobile," from " Rigoletto " (Verdi), which was one of his best numbers of the evening. In response to repeated rccai'ils, Mr. O'Shea contributed another bracket; of three charming songs, " The Snowy Breasted Pearl," " Mother Machree," and " Home, Sweet Home." Miss Claire Hartge, the violinist of the company, has a charming stage presence. Simple and unaffected in all her work, she has yet a great power of concentration which makes lift' playing convincing and altogether satisfying. Sho has great ability in execution, and draws from her instrument at will a rich, full tone or a. dainty delicate air that is most appealing. The solos selected gave the violinist ample scope to show of her best. Brahms' " Hungarian Dance No. 2" and Drdla's "Souvenir," comprised Mis.-, Hartge s bracket in the first half of the programme, and served to increase, the popularity she won at the unemployment concert on Sunday evening. The haunting melody of Schubert's " Ave 'Maria. " and the dainty air of Gossec's " Gavotte," with Lederer's

" Pocme Hongrois " as an encore number formed a, trip of concerted items that would prove any artist. The third soloist, Miss Fitzgerald, proved herself an equally talented artist. She also has a marked temperament, and tin individuality that made her playinv a joy to hear. Her brilliant execution and excellent technique were allied to a power of interpreting the ideas of the composer which made her performance a feature of the programme. Her conceit solos were the brilliant. " Ballade in A Flat " (Chopin) and the first movement of Beethoven's " Apassionata " Sonata, and the encore, selections were Palmgren's " A Night in May," and Cyril Scott's "Nigger Dance." Miss Fitzgerald proved herself also an artistic, and sympathetic accompanist, having the gift, somewhat rare in a brilliant soloist, of subduing her own personality to that of the principal performer ; in no number was this more marked than in " Ave Maria." This evening the final concert of Hie Gisborne. season will be staged at the Opera House, when a complete change of programme will be presented. Request numbers will also be given.