MADAME BELIE COLE'S CONCERT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 194, 31 August 1901, Page 2

MADAME BELIE COLE'S CONCERT.

TnE Theatre Royal was well filled on Friday evening by an audience amongst which were mos' of tbe cultured musical amateurs of the district. It was evident that those present had come to hear exceptionally gifted singers, , and in this they were not disappointed. Madame Cole has every reason to be well satisfied with the marks of appreciate a which were bestowed on ber singing, especially in tbe quaint ballads, which, under her arris'ic treatment, reveal hidden beauties which are nothing short of a revelation to those who have heard the same ditties warbled in a senseless, inane sort of way, which is uofurtunatsly only , too common. In her first fong, " The Promise of Life" the gifted songstress showed how completely tbe beautiful and touching words could be interpre'ed by her sneet sympathetic voice. At i's conclusion there was loud and continued applause which was duly acknowledged Her second number wis " The Fisher's Son»," which went with an excellent swing and afforded the audience an opportunity of hearing to advantage both the higher and lower notes of her fine voice. In response to an uudeninble demand for an encore Madame Cole sang a B'ft sweet melody which at times ft 11 to an artistic musical whisper, the effect of which was heightened by an intense silence, followed by a rapturous applause Her nexi item was "The Sweetest Flower that Blows," followed by Molloy's " Love's Old Sweet Song." Both these were remarkable for tbe delicacy of treatment which tbey received, tbe artiste's delivery being exceptionally pleasing. As an encore Madame srog the quaint and humorous "Wee Wifee," which is just one of j those song* that depend not so muoh on voice production as manner-; ism, and thit of a kind which i ;the singer to aptly adopted. As the first item in the second part, Madame Cole smg " The Lost Cr-ord.",' It was a magnificent interp'ota'ion cfl i this beautiful woi k of Sullivan's, aud i gave ample scope for the exhibition ofl the fingers' powers, Tie audience was fairly enraptured, ani when in re-. sponse to the demand for ao encore,, the well-known air of " Swanmj River " was commenced by tha accompanist, the applause broke o<it aga.i<i Many as have b en the times that tbis old favourite hid besn heard by thos i present, it may safely be said thit Madame's reude>ing was a revekti«n and a delight to all who he<rd i .'. " On the Banks of Allan W*W," and " Douglas Gordon " were the two re- j maining song?, and both received thb I the same eristic treatment »s the; previous items, encores btihg de-' mandedin each and responded toj with " Nobody else but one," and i " The cows in the corn." ! Mr. John Prouse met with a most '. enthusiastic reception, and scored a I splendid success in each of bis songs.' His magnificent rich sonorous voice and exceptionally clear articulation served to enhance the (Sect of the cultured andarfcis ietrei nrnt wi h which all his songs wore rendered. Amonpst f hese were " There's a Land," " Thou'r* Passing Hence," "Mav Mortdng," and " To-morrow Will Be Friday," the latter being his gem of the f vening. For encores he gave " I Cm not Hnlp Lov-j ing Thee," " My Child," " Had | a Horse" (a quaint Hungamn F.> klore song, o e tf a striei rtce tly puilisbed), "D'athless Army," arid " Hearts of O>k " the latter being in response to a double encore. In e*ch ofth'sse items Mr. Prouse gave evidence of conspicuous talent, and he' must have be.»;i highly gratifi d at the! just appreciation of his merits, whi;h the audience exhibited in a most demanner.

Altogether the concert was a great treat, all the more enjoyable because of its rarity. Tbe piano used was a " Hopkinson," supplied by Mr. D. McKinnon Bain, aud tnn-d to continental pitch, instead of concert pitch, and its splendid tone was a pleasing accessory to the recital. The stage had been tastefully furnished by Mr. Petty, who is tt be congratulated on tbe pret'y effect obtained.