MISS PHYLLIS LETT GIVES HER FIRST CONCERT TO-NIGHT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18091, 26 February 1927, Page 6

MISS PHYLLIS LETT GIVES HER FIRST CONCERT TO-NIGHT.

QUEEN OF SONG WILL BE HEARD IN FINE PROGRAMME. At the Caledonian Hall to-night, Miss Phyllis Lett, the great English contralto, will make her first appearance in Christchurch, supported by a brilliant concert company, under the direction of Mr E. J. Gravestock. The famous singer, who is regarded in England as one of the foremost contraltos of the day, comes with a big reputation, and her success in Wellington last week, where she commenced her New Zealand tour, has been remarkable. The ‘ Dominion ” says: ” To say that every item was enthusiastically encored would do but scant justice to the third concert given last night by Miss Phyllis Lett, the great. English contralto, and the three supporting artists with whom she is appearing. The possessor of a voice of wide range and of a wonderful richness, Miss Lett has ample opportunity to demonstrate the heights to which she is capable of rising. The full majesty of her voice was heard to its best advantage in the immortal ‘Agnus Dei’ of Bizet, a. prayer perhaps more inspiring than any other heard on the concert platform to-day.” The supporting artists arc Miss Margot Macgibbon, a particularly talented young violinist, who, according to the ” Dominion." plays with perfect technique, “ her power of expression surprising, and her stago presence delightful.” Mr Norman Bennett Is consiaered to be one of the first tenors A.ustralia has produced. He has a beautiful lyric tenor voice, which is particularly effective in its upper register. Mr Maurice Besly is well known to music-lovers through the medium of his songs and other compositions. Mr Beslv will act as accompanist and solo pianist. The programme for to-night’s Concert is a particularly interesting one, and includes some great works. Miss Lett’s numbers include “Softly Awakes my Heart,” from " Samson and Delilah,” ’ Creation’s Hymn ” (Beethoven), “In Questa Tomba ” (Beethoven), " Alleluia ” (seventeenth century hymn), " L’Heureux Vagabond ” (Bruneau). “ Song of the Palanquin Bearers ” (Martin Shaw), “ I Love the Jocund Dance ” (Walford Davies). " Ave Maria” (Baeli-Gounod), “Caller Herrin” and “ Jock o’ Hazelciean ” (Old Scottish). Miss Macgibbon will play with Mr Besley Handel’s Sonata in E Major and Chorale Prelude, “ O Sacred Head Surrounded” (Bach), “Lullaby” (Cyril Scott) and “Minuet” (Porpora). Mr Bennet will sing recitative and aria, “ O Loss of Sight,” “ Total Eclipse,” from “ Samson ” (Handel), “The Island" (Rachmaninoff) and “After Day ” (Cyril Scott). The box plans are at The Bristol, and day sales at Atkinson’s Confectionery.