ENGLISH CONTRALTO WINS BIG SUCCESS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18092, 28 February 1927, Page 7

ENGLISH CONTRALTO WINS BIG SUCCESS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

MISS PHYLLIS LETT OPENS SEASON AT CALEDONIAN HALL. At the Caledonian Hall on Saturdav evening. Miss Phyllis Lett, the English contralto, made her Christchurch debut to a crowded house, and, with the first notes of her gloriously mellow voice, won her audience and established even more completely' her great capabilities as a concert singer. Miss Lett is the perfect English contralto. She is very true to type, possessing a voice of extensive range, with full, resonant lower notes and wonderfully clear and sweet middle and higher registers. Her greatest charm, and that which aroused the hearers to an unusual pitch of enthusiasm, was her graceful presence and sympathetic artistry. Vital and most sensitive to atmosphere. she is the ideal concert singer.

Miss Lett made an impressive opening with Beethoven’s “ Creation's Hymn," her voice being heard to great advantage in a majestic setting. It was masterlv pinging. Followed the tragic note. “ In Questa Tomba," again by Beethoven. The piece is a great one. both musically and dramatically, and Miss Lett's rendering approached perfection. The tragic climax was approached and achieved with genuine artistrv. The first group of songs was finished on a brilliant note by a joyous, full-throated “Alleluia.” As an encore Miss Lett sang the ever popular “ Ships that pass in the Night.” Her next appearance was marked by songs in a fighter vein, and it was in this departure that the singer’s vitalitv and consummate artistry showed to their best advantage. The treatment was dainty and sympathetic to a degree. and alter each song the audience showed their appreciation by round after round of applause. The most popular of the admirably selected section was the melodious and tantalising “ Song of the Palanquin Bearers." by Sarojini Naidu. an airy fantasy whose whole gay and care free spirit worked like a spell upon the audience. The theme is most happily expressed in the second line of the verse: “She sways like a flower in the wind of our song." It, was repeated at the desire of the hearers. In the same mood was “ I Love the Jocund Dance.” and rendered with the same vitality and expres--IThe third of the trio was “ L'lleureux Vagabond,” and Miss Lett's treatment of the delicate theme was beyond all praise. She made one see the woods and fields, hear the singing of the nightingale, and follow intimately the mind of the poor, happy tramp whose fine lifts his heart above all misfortunes. Vociferously encored. Miss Lett sang the immortal " Three Fishers,” and then “ Cuckoo,” by Martin Shaw. Another encore at the end of the second group was a beautifully characteristic Irish ballad. “ Thinking of Home,” which was heard two years ago in Ireland by the singer, and arranged for her by Mr Maurice Besley. her supporting pianist. Her singing oi‘ it was sympathetic- and full of genuine expression, and made a great impres-

Lastly, Miss Lett, in answer to a special request, sang Brahms’ beautiful “ Sapphischc Ode,” in the German. It suited her to perfection. Her programme number, the oft heard but never tired of aria “ Softly Awakes My Heart.” was a magnificent climax to the evening. Her rich tones imparted to it a beauty and elegance seldom equalled, accentuating its irresistible appeal.

The first item given by the support ing artists was the piano and violin duct “Sonata in E Major” (Handel). Miss Margot Macgibbon at once demonstrated that she is a violinist of distinct promise, her tone being very clear and her technique excellent. Mr Maurce Besley. at the piano, plays with great; sympathy and understanding, his touch being delightful. As an encore Miss Macgibbon played Bocherini’s “Minuet” exquisitely. Qn her second appearance Miss Macgibbon play ed the prelude “ O Sacred Head Surrounded ' (Bach), Cyril Scott’s “Lullaby” and “ Minuet ” by Porpora. As an encore she played Beethoven’s well-known Minuet.!’ a little fast, perhaps, in the middle movement, and " The Swan.”

Mr Norman Bennett, a tenor, has a light yet resonant voice, which suited admirably the song? he selected. They were “ O Loss of Sight " and “ Total Eclipse” (Handel), "The Island" (Rachmaninoff) and “Afterday’,” by Cyril Scott. His best effort, however, was an encore number. “ O, Primavera,” which showed what he is capable of in the way of lyric singing. Throughout the evening the singers were accompanied by Mr Maurice Besley, whose insight and sympathetic touch added to a great extent to their success. As a solo he played Bach’s “ Largo.” from the Piano Concerto in F Minor.