MISS ROSA ALBA’S CONCERT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16507, 18 August 1921, Page 6

MISS ROSA ALBA’S CONCERT

■When Miss Rosa Alba first sang in Christchurch in the oratorio “ Judas Macon barns,” performed last May by the Royal Musical Society, the hope was expressed that slic would return to this city and give a concert. The. hope was realised last evening, when thirt talented Australian vocalist appeared as the principal performer at a recital in the Choral Hall. It is not too much to say that the audience was charmed with the work of this promising young artist- Miss Alba, on her first visit, won golden opinions for her rendering of the oratorio solos, and Inst evening she proved that both in operatic arias and straight songs she is a capable and artistic performer,. She has a bright and attractive personality, which assists her to invest her numbers -with a peculiar and intimate charm. Her voice is a delightful soprano, and she produces it easily and without affectation. She has a gift for interpretation, so that every number receives appropriate and individual treatment. She revels in the intricacies of the florid style, but she is equally facile in her treatment of simple and flowing melodies. Miss Alba opened last evening with Bemberg’s fanciful “ Nymphs and Fauns,” a sparkling waltz song. She gave this in brilliant style, her execution of the trills and runs being graceful in the extreme, while a long cadenza was splendidly done. As an encore she sang “To a Messenger,” the plaintive minor not© being nicely sustained. One of the finest gems of a scintillating evening was an old French song, “La Charniante Marguerite,” which wua sung with much expression and with a beautiful tone. It was a comparatively simple air. but it was so exquisitely treated tliat the song became a masterpiece of feeling. The popular and familiar “ Sing, Sweet llird ” was given as an encore, and here again the trills were splendidly sung, and the cadenzas made things of vocal beauty. “Coinin’ Thro’ the live” was presented with appropriate archness as a second encore. ‘ The Herdsman’s Song” (Berg) and “Norwegian Echo Song ” (Thane) were both excellent, the echo effect in the latter being most cleverly produced. These were followed by a Scotch ballad, “ The Spinning Wheel.” This little song has not been | sung in Christchurch for a long time, but it should attain some popularity

through Miss Alba’s most delightful rendering of it. The well-known aria, ‘ Una Voce” (Rossini) w r as Miss Alba’s final programme number, and it is sufficient to say that in it she displayed the beauty of her voice, her technical ability in the singing of florid music, and her artistic perception. As an encore she sang “ Tales of the Wind,” a descrintive little composition which was given with much effect, heightened by lowered lights. The audience left in raptures over Miss Alba’s delightful performance. The principal had the assistance of Mr W. Gemmell, who sang several songs, and took part in a duet with Miss Alba; and Miss Agnes Lawlor, solo pianist and accompanist. Mr Gemmell appeared to be handicapped by g, slight cold, which caused an apparent huskiness. He is inclined to be too vigorous in his climaxes, forcing his voice and thus affecting his intonation. This was particularly noticeable i n his first song, Baife’s “Didst Thou but Know,” when Mr Gemmell was anything but tho pleading lover. On the whole, however, he is a pleasing performer, and it is not difficult to believe tliat he could do better than he did last night. Miss Lawlor was eminently satisfaotorv as accompanist, but not entirely successful as soloist. There was a lack of clarity about the “Scherzo” in Bnut« minor GJliopin), jytid there was little individuality about her other solos.