ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 18077, 2 May 1919, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

SUCCESSFUL SONG RECITAL.

Coming back over the scenes of her former triumphs, Mdlle. Antonia Dolores last night enjoyed the satisfaction of singing before a gathering of people who remembered her and were prepared to be captivated anew. The Grand Theatre held a large audience, and its enthusiasm from the first number in the singer’s interesting programme, was beyond doubt. For her recital in Invercargill, Mdlle. Dolores had selected a programme which made heavy demands upon her, but at its conclusion the vigour with which she sang the Marseillaise was an adequate proof that she had not overestimated her powers. In all she sang seventeen numbers, but it was clear from the applause that greeted the singer at the close of her recital that the audience was far from being satisfied, having adopted that very human philosophy that it is impossible to have too much of anything that is good. The programme formed an interesting study In the progress of song writing, though, of course, there still remain in the world pessimists who decline to admit that music has progressed at all since the days of the old masters. Mdlle. Dolores evidently does not belorjg to that order. The inclusion of two charming numbers by the American MacDowell, and of the “Irish Folk Song” is sufficient to prevent misunderstanding on that point. The programme took the audience from the charming old English songs of the Eighteenth Century and brought them down to the days of contemporary composers. They were also taken through the musical nations proceeding from England to Italy, to Russia, France, America and back to England again with Cowen’s “The Swallows.” One would have liked to have heard the singer further in some of the later American and British writers, whose work is deserving of more attention than it gets in these days. Mdlle. Dolores was able to succeed in this multifarious task she set herself, because she is of all things a consummate artist. She has histrionic insight, which is one of the principal articles in the equipment of all great singers, to uncover the innermost secrets of her songs, and to interpret them not in the spirit of an individual vocalist, but from the viewpoint of the chorus of composers whose music she is making articulate. It is the versatility of the true artist that is betrayed by this fortunate power and the infinite variety of Mdlle. Dolores’s singing will never weary. This, coupled with her wonderful charm of manner and her delightful voice, is the explanation, of the great success she scored last night. It seems almost invidious to make distinctions among the numbers she sang, and the task is not easy—a splitting of hairs—but of the early English nones her encore “Among the Mountains” was probably the most successful. The great scene from the fourth act of Verdi’s "Otello,” where Desdcmona unknowing, but prophetically apprehensive, retires to rest for the last time was the next jtem. Finishing with the tender “Ave Maria,” one of the most charming ever written, the scene offers splendid opportunities for a singer of insight, and Mdlle. Dolores made the most of them. Her encore number was “Home, Sweet Home,” which, of course, was heartily appreciated. Her following bracket began with a charming cradle song by Tchaikowsky, but the possionate declaration “Toujours a Toi” by the same composer was one of the gems of the night: a really delightful number. Rubenstein’s setting of Tom Moore’s “The Tear” was also enjoyable, in an entirely different vein. The well-known valse song from Gounod’s “Thro’ th’ Rye” and “I am ow’r young to marry yet.” Her last programme items were two of MacDowell’s charming songs, “In the Woods” and “Long Ago,” and Cowen’s “The Swallows.” The encore to these was a spirited singing of the French National Anthem anti then came “God Save the King,” concluding a very enjoyable recital. Mr Harold Smith, whose accompaniments were always artistically balanced and true, is a pianist of considerable executive ability with an interpretative ability of no mean order. One would have liked to have heard more from him. His three programme items were delightful He played one of Moskowski’s 'barcarolles, it is a characteristic of the Russian composer to revel in these “rowing” songs, with distinct effect, and the brilliant Irish reel by Stanford which he gave later in the evening was even better. He produces a good tone, to his credit be it said, and never exaggerates in his colouring. * ALBION THEATRE. The final screenings of “The Seal of Silence,” a Vitagraph star drama, the sth Ep. of “The House of Hate” and the interesting topical, Main Body Boys returning on the.Hororata are announced for to-night. Qn Saturday Goldwyn’s supreme production , “Peck’s Bad Girl” will be screened. This story is a delightful screen version of the book of that name. Mabel Normand has never had a patt to suit her better, and she resorts to all her old fascinating tricks. Whatever one’s taste in pictures they will be sure to like this Golflwyn offering, and delight in the pranks of “Peck’s Bad Girl,” for the story is wholly fresh; fascinating and charming, while the gowns worn by Mabel will delight the feminine eye. Capital supports are also shown, including “His Lesson,” a Triangle comedy, West Yorks and P.oyal Kents, an interesting topical of these famous regiments; and the . latest Pathe Gazette. POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. There was a splendid attendance last night, when an exceptionally fine programme was presented. The star feature, “The Power and the Glory,” is a beautiful love story, intermingled with many thrilling adventures, which evoked the heartiest enthusiasm. The cast is a strong one, and includes Jane Elvidge, Little Madge Evans, includes June Elvidge, Little Madge Evans, “The Highlander Milk Industry” is a picture of unusual interest, dealing as it does with a local industry. The other supports are instructive and interesting, and the programme should attract further large audiences.