AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13840, 27 February 1909, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

ADA> CROSSLEY CONCERT. The farewell concert of. Madame -ida Crossley- and" her well-chosen company attracted a good audience "to the Theatre Royal last evening, the dress circle being full, the stalls also except a row or two in front, and there was a good number, including many ladies, in the pit. The printed programme was very short as usual, it has become so well understood that at the Crossley concerts there will be many recalls, and the audience acted on that understanding till the' list of items became nearly trebled. Madame Crossley was in very good voice, and every one of her numerous songs was enthusiastically applauded. To those who hud not heard this gifted lady before, her tirst recit. and air, " Caro mio ben,'' was a revelation of strength,* purity, and: command of voice; and it was not surpassed by her later songs. For the inevitable encore ! the accompanist struck a few preliminary notes and the audience spontaneously applauded. They were to have another gem of the singer's repertoire—"On the Banks of Allan Water." In response to a second recall, "Bonnie Prince Charlie" was given—somewhat of a contrast with the others. ,In the second half of the programme ' Madame Crossley began with Alfred Hill's setting of "lie good, Sweet Maid," and showed great .sympathy with the theme as well as easeful mastery of the music. For the first recall she sang ' ; Nearer my God to Thee," with true religious feeling, but at times the voice was rather smothered by the piano. The audience was not satisfied , with repeated bows after tin's, nor with a j little nigger joke, and Madame Crossley made her farewell very tastefully J with '• May God be with you . . . dear friends, of mine." The other vocalists, Mr J. Ryan, baritone, and Mr J. Harrison, tenor, sang their songs acceptably, and each' was complimented by' recall, the former twice on one occasion. Mr Leon Sametini, with his violin, \pleased everybody, the clear sweet singing quality of his music being its notable /characteristic. He also had to appear and reappear, and on one occasion, snapping a string, ,'ie gave a very interesting selection on one string, and on another he showed a high degree of cleverness with linger and bow. Mr Percy Grainger was no less successful as piano soloist, and he gave the audience a wide variety of compositions to be pleased with, including one of a quite humorous nature. ' Herr Benno Scherek, the musical director of the tour, played the accompaniments. Altogether the concert was an excellent one, and as memories of it are recalled, each person selecting his or her own favouirite items, it -will, be among the evening's entertainments long remembered.