BLACK-PREMYSLAV CONCERT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8843, 20 June 1907, Page 2

BLACK-PREMYSLAV CONCERT.

A Delightful Entertainment.

The Opera Housß was well filled with a highly delighted audience last night when Messrs Andrew Black and Leopold Premyslav gave a concert unique for the uncommon excellence of the programme and the bright enthusiasm of the listeners. Andrew Black, who is visiting Australia and New . Zealand for a lengthened holiday, is one of the most renowned of English singers. Associated ' with such great singers as Albani, Patey, Llyod and Santley he became in due course the natural successor to the last named of that brilliant quartette of vocalists. He is now acknowledged as tile finest oratorio baritone and absolutely the best Scotch ballad singe? b* the present day. It was iiideed a gloriotis treat to hear his splondid voice last night. 'lull toned, b.-ight, joyous singing, with every word, loud or soft, heard distinctly in all parts of tho hall, justified Mr Black's fame, and excused tliß enthusiastic applause that greeted evtky sons'. He knows how to sing, aiifl evidently ] rejoices in his work. Nothing is left to-chance, but all is done well, and his visit to Marton will bo long remembered as a most delightful treat. Mr Black opened with '•Yotmg Dietrich" and "Nou Pui Aiidrau," two rarely heard songs, but sung so truly that the audience thoroughly enjoyed them, and as an encore were charmed with an exquisite performance of an old Gaelic song, "Turn Ye To Me." "When Thy Blue Byes" (Lassen), a tender melody exquisitely rendered, was bracketed with-the declamatory song "Blow, Blow, Thou Wintry Wind," sung with'amazing spirit and fulness of tone. For encore Mr Black sang an amusing ditty '' The Little Irish Girl." His last numbers were Scotch—" The Land of the Leal,'' given with beautiful pathos, and "Bluo Bonnets'OvSr the Border" with martial arckrar that fairly roused the audience to applauding uproar until the genial singer responded with "The Cameron Men." This resulted in a magnificent round of applause. The great artist was succeeded by another. Report has said a lot of eulogistic things about Mr Premyslav, the Polish violinist, but even moro might bo added, as it is hard to. know where praise of this talented player should end. Ho lias a quiet appearance, and plays without gymnastic fuss. His bowing is graceful and his tone remarkably pure, full, and true. Whether it is in pieces requiring the maximum of dexterous technique or in simple cantabilo movements this violinist is equally pleasing. Each appearance was accompanied with a cordial welcome that increased as the evening grew to tumultuous greeting and overpowering ipplanse. If power to please be a correct way to judge an artist, then Mr Premyslav must receive the hall mark of Seldom has a violinist had such c<<m~i plete control of his audience, and h had the gratification of always securing that absolute silence whio.ll proved that all were interested. M Premyslav first played a fantasia on '' Carmen,'' a very favourite opera, and .pleased everyone in both slow and rapid movements. As encore he gave a beautiful little piece "Le Cygue" (The Swan), by Saint Saens. His next performance included the "Humoresque" of Dvorak and "La Ronde dos Lxxtins," by Bazzini. Both were charmingly given, and after a storm of applause the young violinist played a dainty little number, -'The by Schubert. Mr Premyslav concluded the concert with a nocturne by Chopin, and the popular "Zigeu= llerweisen" of Sarasate. The'se

created a furore, and a fitting finale was given in a "Melody" byTschai-. kowsky. As if two artists were not enough, Miss Rosina Buekmann, an old favourite and a brilliant singer, and Miss Bessie Beattie, a very captivating pianiste, were included in this generous programme. Miss Buekmann received a big welcome, and was in good voice. She sang the pretfcv "Flower Song," from Faust. In" the second part two songs '' The Kosary,'' by Nevin, and the "Birth of Morn," by Leoni. Miss Beattie is a delightful pianiste, and the audience soon realised that fact. She plays very delicately, and her manner at once secures the sympathy of everyone. She played tue '' Prelude'' " of Raehmanciioff in the first part of the programmes. Enlil Sauer's "Windes-Flustern"

(with a melody by Paderewski for encore) was hor second number, and was most acceptably performed. The concert proved to be one of the most enjoyable ever heard in Marton. The company goes nest to Hawera and Now Plymouth, and will give a concert in Taihape next Saturday night, when the residents of that town can be for a most musical treat.