OPERATIC RECITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20042, 3 September 1920, Page 9

OPERATIC RECITAL.

Madame Gower Burns and Mr Sydney Hoben gave another of their musical • recitals yesterday afternoon, the opera chosen foi interpretation being a delightfully melodious one of Massenet’s, entitled “Manon.” The hosvess was Mrs Bernard Wood, whose home is ideally adapted for entertaining and whose concert grand piano did the music full justice. Mr Hoben opened the afternoon by playing “The Spinning Song ” from “The Flying Dutchman,” followed by a very bnb han't Hindu chant entitled “A Song of India,” from the opera. “ Sadko,” by- Bimsky-Korsakow, which Madame Gower Burns rendered most sympathetically. Mr Hoben commenced “ Manon ” by giving bis audience a resume of the libretto. In her several solos Madame Gower Burns showed wonderful artistry and power. In the opening song she sang a brilliant. solo entitled “ Alas', Manon,” allowing scope for tenderness and despan, which Madame Bums did full justice to. in the. opening of the second scene the difficult solo “An Empress am 1” was given in a' joyous manner, with many clear runs and trills which suit her voice so well, tho last song, 0. prayerful entreaty, being also charmingly rendered. Madame Gower Burns wore a handsome frock of nattier-blue charmouse and georgette, relieved with rose-coloured tissue, and a diaphanous blue lace hat with a rose and blue ornament in front. The hostess looked most picturesque in a prettily-draped gown of, silver-grey charmeuse and georgette and jade ornaments, her wide grey hat also being relieved with jade. The 'decorations in the drawing-room were snowdrops, daffodils and japouica, and in tho billiard-room, "where afternoon tea was dispensed, violets were used. Amongst those present were:—Mrs Cyril Ward, Mrs George Harper, Mrs Andreao, Mrs Algar Williams, Mrs and Miss Wilding, Mrs A. A. M’Master, Mrs Lynton Wood, Mrs Stronach Paterson, -Mrs Stanhope, Mrs Firth, Mrs Buuz, Mrs Kiver, Mrs and Miss i’yne, Mrs G. Burns, Mrs Edgar Stead, Mrs Empson, Mrs Horne, Mrs Deverill, Mrs Lord, Misses Fyno (2), Cracroft Wilson (2), N. Marsh, A uncar row and M. Ward-