THE CHORAL HALL.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 525, 12 January 1889, Page 4

THE CHORAL HALL.

MBS. BAHNSON'S CONCEPT. Auckland debut of tho gifted cantahlM || trice, Mrs Bahnson, wife of Dr. Babnson J^ ' at the Choral Hall on Thursday eveniEg* ' was greeted by a crowded house. Long before the hour fixed for the concert every seat was occupied, both in the gallery and body of the hall. Tho front of the stage was tastefully decorated with flags and pot-plant.?. _ The concert opened with an arrangement oi" airs from ' Norina ' for violin, 'cello, and piano, admirably executed by tho Misses Chew, the perfect unity of method being very striking. Dr. Maitland Gledden's rich baritone was heard to advantage in Schubert's ' Erl Konig,' the descriptive theme bringing the rare riower and sweetness of his voice into full play. After this song came the great event for which public curiosity stood on tip-toe — the introduction oi" Mrs Bahnson, who was led on to the stage by Dr. Glcdden. Her reception was an enthusiastic one : nevertheless it was a very critical audience which awaited the opening 1 bars of Gounod's Keyuo de Saba. ' As the first notes of her exquisite voice fell on the listening throng, popular opinion accorded the singer a foremost place amongst the best professional cantatrices who have visited tho city. Mrs Bahnson'a voice is a iino soprano of varo elasticity and rich culture, having a compass of three actaves. The notes in the upper register are clear as those of a bird. It is a voice full of subtle sweetness and powerful expression, the faultless transitions from one register to another showing that perfect control of the voice, which belongs only to the true artiste. Her second solo, Benedict's arrangement of ' Carnival de Vmrice,' was a triumph. The marvellous ease with which the florid passages, trills, roulades and vocal scales were sung fairly entranced her hearers, and as the last note of tho beautiful final cadenza died away in a whisper, the applause was deafening. In response to the enthusiastic recall, Mrs Bahnson sang 1 The Arrow and the Song,' composed by Herr Tutschka, with charming expression. Tho concluding numbers of the programme were also rendered by the gifted cantatrice :— Song romana^, (Danish), ' Heise,' ' Softly Ye Night Winds ' (Wallace) ; and ' Polska (Swedish). The latter was undoubtedly the best item, proving the singer's thorough mastery over her splendid voice. The vocal ducts, (a) ' Ich Wollt Meine Liebe Ergosse ' (b) ' Herbstlied ' (Mendelssohn), by Mrs Bahnson and Ptfiss Baame, were gems oi ! melody, the voices blending in exquisite harmony. Another fine number wag the duet, 'Don Giovanni ' (Mozart), by Mrs Bahnson and Dr. Gledden. Mrs Taylor's sweet, sympathetic voice was heard to even greater advantage than usual in the pretty song, ' When the Heart was Young,' by Durby Beck. Next in vocal merit to Mrs Bahnson must undoubtedly be placed Mr Thomas Jackson, who scored quite a triumph in ' Ora Pro Nobis ' (Piccol omini). The instrumental solo selections were played by Hcrr Tutschka and Miss Otic Chew. The Professor's 'cello solo, ' La Reve' (Gottermann), testified the skill of a thorough musician. Under his touch the notes of the passionate allegro seemed to speak. Miss Ofcie Chew culled new laurels. Her violin solo, 'II Trovatore,' was played in a masterly manner, and in response to an encore she played her own arrangement of ' Sumerlied ' (Schumann). Miss Harding filled th© difficult post of accompanist with great s\iceess.