MISS VIOLET LAMACROFT.

West Coast Times, 22 March 1910, Page 1

MISS VIOLET LAMACROFT.

A SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTORY CONCERT.

We cull the following from the Southland Times of March 12th ;—“ The place i.i Invercargill musical circles as a teacher of singing and voice production recently vacated by Miss Violet McIntosh has been taken by Miss Viotet Lamacroft, L.A.8., A.T.C.L, late, of Wellington (and well-known in Rimu, Hokitika). In order to introduce herself to the public Miss Lamacroft, with the assistance of friends, yesterday even ing gave an invitation concert in the Victoria Hall. The response to the invitations was so great that the hall was over-filled, many people being unable to obtain even standing room which would give a view of the platfoim. Miss- Lamacroft has been practising her profession in the town for only about a month, and was, therefore, a comparative stranger to the audience. She was formally introduced by the Mayor (Mr C. S. Longuet) who presented the young lady as successor to Miss Mclntosh, with whom Miss J Lamacroft had attended the Convent at Wellington, where both had graduated | in music under a master who was recog-

nised as perhaps the leading teacher of singing in the southern hemisphere. Mr Longuet, on behalf of Miss Lamacroft, expressed gratification at the encouragingly largo attendance. The recital which followed this introduction provided a musical evening that was in every respect delightful. The music was well l selected and arranged, and it

was interpreted by performers who are admittedly among the most capable as well as most popular of Invercargill musicians. Interest naturally centred in the singing of Miss Lamacroft herself. The young lady has a cultured mezzo-soprano voice, flexible and of good range and compass. The tone quality is charming, and this effect is increased by the singer’s excellent voice control, which lends the necessary sympathy to her interpretation, cessary sympathy to her interpretation. Though self-restraint is a feature of Miss Laraacroft’s singing, her voice is a colourful one, and the devotional spirit of Gounod’s “ 0 Divine

Redeemer,” and “ Avo Maria” was as justly convoyed as was the love passion of Meyerbeer’s ‘‘Roberto, o tu olio Adora,” or the joyous lift of “Happy Song” (Teresa Del Iliego). The singer’s scope of interpretation was well tested, as to her 4 programme numbers, were added that number of encores, and two humouresques and the ballads “Annie Laurie” and “Last Rose of Summer ” wore given with respective subdued daintiness and emotional expressiveness. Those who had been curious as to Miss Lamacroft’s capacity as a singer were obviously satisfied that the young lady is a decided acquisition to the musical circles of the town. The friends who assisted Miss Lamacroft in the recital were Miss Lily Price (pianoforte solos), Miss Nesti Hay ( accompaniest), Mr C. James (song), Mr V\ . J. Fergusson (violin solo), Mr A. K. Cuokson (song) Mr J. 11. Webb (reeiiation) and Mr J. Murray (song). r iiie numbers contributed by these performers were all excellent, and in almost every instance encores

wore requested. The concert charmed away a delightful two Lours for the audience, and it was in every particular successful.