FINE SONG RECITAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 22 October 1930, Page 5

FINE SONG RECITAL.

affi. VAUGHAN AND PUPILS.

A most favourable impression vas made on an appreciative audience at St. Matthew’s Hall last night when Mr T. Vaughan, L.A.8., assisted by a num- • \ber of his pupils gave a song recital. X .The programme traversed the works of s the great composers of opera, oratorio and ballad. It accorded some striking contrasts, and the opportunity for the display of various phases of vocal technique. Each performer contributed something of value to a recital which Mr Vaughan and his pupils may justly feel a goodly measure of pride in. It is true there were faults both in production and interpretation, but that, is inseparable from a recital in which pupils take a large share. Nevertheless, they are of extreme value in inculcating confidence so necessary for the full development of the powers of the singer. One feature of the performances of the pupils was the artistic approach which was present in almost every case. This quality gave eloquent evidence of careful training in this department. Tone was not consjplfuous by »volume, nevertheless there was in most cases a decided leaning towards purity. There was probably a b’jwish by the audience for a little more 1 colour and warmth. Many of the songs chosen called for a greater measure of expression than that given. Mr Vaughan himself was very satisfying, and a pleasing light baritone voice was used most artistically in oratorio, operatic and ballad numbers. In both his lower and upper register the tone is smooth. Another feature of Mr Vaughan's voice is its flexibility. His most delightful number was the beautiful flowing recitative I '■ Gicco di rea For tuna” and the aria “O Lisbona.”

The opening number of the recital was a trio by Misses M. Donald, B. Francis and E. Donald “ We are ‘Spirits Blithe and Free.” There was a nice ‘blending of the voices here, especially in the early duet passage. A little more Vbandon would have improved the numWer. A second item by the same composer “An Evening Song,” suited the singers admirably. In “Daffodil Days,” Miss Leah Johnston Tevealed a voice of more than the average purity. So nicely were the notes produced that one could almost see the golden heads nodding in the breeze. She responded to a call with a contrasting number, “Over the Wall ox My Garden.” Mr C. C. Johansen, a promising young vocalist, rendered an Irish folk song “You’ll be Coinin’ Back.” The legato passages were scarcely smooth enough. One or two bars bordered on a staccato effect and the number appeared to be a little beyond his range as yet. Mr Johansen’s encore “Under the Greenwood Tree” was more successful. Mrs H. P. Hugo and Mr T. Vaughan were associated in the beautiful duet “Miserere” from “II Trovatore. ” This duet Occurs in the fourth act of Verdi’s great opera and during what is popularly known as the prison scene. It was well rendered, although Mrs Hugo’s tone was a little overshadowing. In “Home to Our Mountains” both vocalists blended well and richly deserved the ovation. In the “Messiah” excerpts “Behold a Virgin,” and “0 Thou That Tellest,” Miss B. Francis handled this recitative and aria with fine spiritual expression. As an encore number she gave “Dawn Gentle Flower,” with delicate grace, but unfortunately lost pitch in the end bars. Mr T. Vaughan rendered with conspicuous success a bracket of three numbers, “Hark The Tempest” (Handel), “O Death” (Brahms) and “Hungarian Folk Song” (Korbay). His Handel item revealed a fine voice of smooth tone and flexible quality which is demanded in oratorio. In “Angels Ever Bright and Fair” Miss E, Donald showed fine breathing control. Expression fell a little short and at the words “take me” did not hold the deep sense of appeal which one feels Handel intended. Miss Donald is really on the threshold of her training period and already shows considerable promise. She was fine in “Till I Wake.” The second part opened with a duet “Maybells and Flowers” sung by Miss M. Donald and Miss L. Johnston. This was excellent, both voices blending beautifully. The A encore number by the .same composer Mendelssohn “Sulieka and Hassam” was equally fine. Two numbers “Coquette” and “Fairy Sea” by Miss P. James were well - * received. She has a sweet, well trained voice. Mr T. Vaughan rendered a further three songs “Cupid’s Garden” (Somerville), “The Vagabond” and “I Will Make You Brooches” both by Vaughan Williams. These revealed Mr Vaughan in a different mood and he merited the generous measure

of applause. A rich contralto voice, admirably suited for oratorio, was jfoeard when Mrs H. P. Hugo sang ▼‘Then Shall the Eyes” and “He Shall Feed His Flock” from Handel’s “Messiah.” She infused fine spiritual feeling into the interpretation. As an encore she Tendered “Love’s Garden of Roses.” Two humorous songs “The Little Irish Girl” and “The Wee Cooper o’ -Fife” were sung with fine expression 1 and gesture by Mr C. C. Johansen. *>' Miss M. Donald rendered with no mean measure of artistry and vocal talent Bishop’s “Bid Me Discourse.” As an encore she sang the Baeh-Gou-nod “Ave Marie.” Miss Donald possesses a voice of lyric quality and with the correction of a little unevenness of tone would reach a high standard. A notable recital was concluded by Mr Vaughan with the singing of what was perhaps his best number ( ‘ 0 Lisina” preceded by the recitative “Gicco di Tea Fortuna” from Donizetti’s “Don Sebastine” and a Coler-Idge-Tayloir composition “Songs of the

Sea.” A large measure of the success of the recital was due to Mrs W. G. Perry who played the accompaniments. She guided one or two of the singers over weak places with rare skill, besides giving them a measure of confidence which otherwise would have been absent.