THE SANTLEY CONCERTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume L, Issue 4815, 11 April 1890, Page 3

THE SANTLEY CONCERTS.

The first of two concerts by the renowned batitono, Mr Charles Sanlloy, was given lajt evening to a largo and most appreciative audieuce. The opportunity of hearing ouo of the most famous vocalists of the day was ono which the music-loving peoplo of Timnru wore not likely to lot slip ; it was thereforo not at all surprising that 07cry eeat, and extra chairs, m the dress circle wero occupied, und the lower suctions of tho house, if not quite-, wore well filled. Tho popular verdict on the concert as a whole, so far aB andible remarks about it among the audience before and while leaving, was most favourable, and the demand for an encore of nearly every item gave emphatio testimony of approval, of the concert m oach detail. Mr Frank Bradley opened the programme with a- pianoforte eolo, m a Btyle which proved him a brilliunt player. Two other solos wore allotted him, the first, "Ln TrultiJ," containing perhaps to.> many forte passages for tho small theatre j tho second a doublo item, an exquisito littlo fantasia on a few notes, and a siuii'ar but moro varied composition. Theso wero mast enjoyable Mr Bradley also played the accompaniments with a delicacy of light niid,sbado that should bo carefully observed by our own accompanists. Miss Ellen Atkins took tho second item, the eon;* " My Dearest Hoart," m which she was not so successful m plcnsing us aB m succeeding onca. Her neit song, "Should he Upbraid," was given with much expression and was warmly applauded anil encored. In response tho lady sang " Comin' through the Kye." A third song, "Good byo," was even moro sympathetically rendered. Mr Henry Stoekwell, tenor, was suffering from a severe cold, or a touch of la grip}><\ yet sang threo eongs very well indeed, and was determinedly encored for ono of them, "Como into the garden, Maud," but had to decline, nilii a gestured reference to the state of his vocal organs. MrSantley was allotted ihreo songs, but by responding to encores he doubled the number. Of course tho interest of the concert wus centered m Mr Santley'a singing. If we attempt to describo it, wo should Bay that its charm rests m its perfect dramatic expression. Mr Santley brings out tho boul of the words. Ho produces the notes with an admirable purity of tono, but he abo enuueiates each word aa if it had a meaning, and by suitable and every varying expression ho makes that meaning cloar. He may be Eaid to recite m music.

L'ako " tiimon tho Cotlnrer," fov instance, ds the simplest illustration, and tho best known item. Mr Santloy told this little story sa as to bring out all ita bumour, as a first-rate reciter might do, tha difference being that he sang instead of speaking it. Wo aro co unaccustomed to this kind of singing that tho sur|srUo of it appeared to make the etory as Bung, tnoro humorous than a recitation could be. Similarly m the aerious items, the oxpression of Badness and despair m Mr Santloy's singing " For erer and for evor," and tho dignity here and the scorn there, m his "Honour and Arm 9," — tho gem of the evening — was s more important element than the notes, ao that oven tho splendid runs m the latter seomod to bo redundances. 'Xhe secret o£ Mr Santlej's gro;it success, it appears to us, is that ho makes tho music completely subordinate to expression, and being master of both ho can do Ull3 perfectly. (his skill was curiously exemplified m ono of his encore piece?, •' Horo's a health unto His Mojescy," m which Mr Santloy seemed to imbue tho eimplo refrain of fal-lal-10, with elusive meanings. We cannot tell whether our readers who have henrd Mr Sontley, here or elsoivhore, will agree with thia estimate of his exceptional power, but to us it seems clear that it ia less due to an exceptional voice, or an exceptional degree of voice cultivation, than to a rare skill and caro m expressing, through the music, and m a seneo besido it, the feeling appropriate to tho words. From tho enthusiastic tceoption necordod thorn laat night, wo have no doubt that the theatre will bo packed all over to-night, particularly as tho prices have been roducod to n'gures which will allow mombora of all clas9o3 of tho community to attend. As it i» highly improbable that such another " bright particular star" of tho musical firmainout will visit Timaru for a good wbilo to come, we would strongly advise as many ub can do so to (wail themselves of this last chance of hearing Mr Santloy.