MR WATKIN MILLS' ENGLISH CONCERT COMPANY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12600, 14 September 1905, Page 2

MR WATKIN MILLS' ENGLISH CONCERT COMPANY.

A GREAT SUCCESS

The following is from the " Southland News" of September 6th:— The visit to fnvercarg.il some .time ago. of Mr Watkin 'Mills, the 'Celebrated English basso, (haying left a most favourable impression on the minds of those 'who had the pleasure of listening to his fine vocalisation, the announcement he then made that he would soon again bring to the colony a company of distinguished musicians was received with feelings of delight. Consequently, when on Tuesday evening MiMills and his company opened for a short season of two night in Invercargill at the Zealandia Hall, it was fully expected that the attendance would ba large, and so it was. Mr. Mills'- voics Ihad charmed Invercargill audiences, and it was evident that last night's .gathering expected that the performances of 'his associates would be of a similarly jhigh standard, or nearly so. And in this connection they were not disappointed; en the other hand, it is safe to say that they were hardly prepared for such a musical treat as that which they were afforded. Early the performers iwon the good graces of the ■assemblage, and ;it was at once recognised thalt Mr Mills had secured a highly talented coterie of artistes. In fact, so delighted were the audience With the performances of the quintette that encores were inevitable, and each of the artists was recalled in the first part. On several occasions they tried to escape by bowing their acknowledgments, but the audience's enthusiasm would mot permit of this, and encores became the invariable rule. The _ members of the company, besides the pianist, consist of a soprano, contralto, tenor, and basso, all possessing very fine voices, and that this fact was generally appreciated could not 'have fee-en more effectively shown. The programme opened with a duet, " Watchman, what of the night" (Sarjeant), by Mr Harold Wilde and 'Mr Watkin Mills, who rendered the pretty music in a charming •manner, the voices blending with admirable effect. They were recalled, co pleased were the audience at the splendid performance. 'Mr Mills was in excellent voice, and Mr Wilde, who has a sweet tenor, created a good impression, and ttiis next contribution was looked forward to with pleasure. Miss Gertrude Lonsdale, who gave the recit. and air, " Entreat me not to leave thee " (Gounod), displayed a contralto of great volume and exceptional richness. Her vocalisation, sweet and full of expression as it was, could not have failed to win approval ,and when the number iwas completed the audience broke into applause, which continued some time. Miss Lonsdale returned and bowed her acknowledgments, but this did not.suffice, the audience wishing to again hear the lady's beautiful voice. The vocalist, on her reappearance, gave " Happy Song" (Teresa del Riego), which she rendered in an equally charming manner. Mr Harold Wilde gave " Grace Song, or Lohengrin's Narration " (Wagner), and as an encore " Little Irish Girl" (Lohr). Miss Edith Kirkwood, who has a light soprano of excellent quality, gave " Caro Nome" (Verdi), which she rendea-ed in an artistic manner, sang archly " I know a Lovely warden" (Gny D. Hurdelot). Mans.Eduard Parlovitz's skill as a pianist was fully appreciated on his previous visit, iand in this " Irish Rhapsodic " (Archie Rose) he again showed gne executive skill and marked, expression. He also rendered " Scherzo in B flat minor" (Chopin). THe second, part consisted in the singing of a, number of songs and quartettes, written for children, and 'itellmg of the youthful fancies and imagination. The humour of some of the verses was irresistible yand all through the vocalisation wag of a superb : character. The quartettes, were- rendered with very fine.effect, and the solos were sung -in 'bha.Miog manner. Bouquets were handed to the performers, and the audience showed their hearty approval. The full notice; occupies one column and a half. A.firisat^ wire received states that the.'• company opened to "standing room only" in Dunedin. They give a concert here on ,26th *he present month. '