ADA CROSSLEY

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume VIII, Issue 2473, 10 February 1909, Page 2

ADA CROSSLEY

. 4 i A large number of Waihi music-lovers * journeyed to Paoroa last evening to j 'hear Madame Ada Crossley, the famous , contralto, and her concert company. . The train was crowded, as also were isp'c- > cials from Morrinsville, Hamilton, and • the Thames. The largo theatre was \ fairly packed, and the audience was i moit enthusiastic throughout. ' Mad- , auio Crossley received" a great reception, ': and she was literally deluged with flora! boiiquots at the conclusion of each song. Her oponing number was " Umbra Mai 1 h'u," recitative and air by Handel, which received a lino interpretation, and tlio contralto had to respond to an imperative encore, when she gave a beautiful rendering of "The Banks of 'Allen Water." It w«u not, perhaps, until the second part that Madamo was heard to perfection, in the beautiful composition by Cuthbert Wynne, "Through Love to Light," This'number gave ample scope for tlio full vocalisation of the singer's rich and swelling voice, and her sympathetic and finished phrasing. Tlio song was a gem in itself, and the wholo effect was entrancing. This can also be said of her encoro number, "Oh, That We Two Were Maying," a sentimental composition of much beauty. Mil these wngs were worth going a long journoy to hear. The contralto had to respond again and again, and on each occasion received enthusiastic ovations. The other members of tlio company aro all artists. Mr. John Harrison, iho tenor, mm accorded a flattering reception. His coupled songs, " To Mary" and " Lovo's Mastery," were fino demonstrations of the vocal art, and tho singer showed that he possessed a tenor voice of great power and range. His encores wero numerous. Mr. Jay. Ryan, the Irish baritone, had an equally fine recoption, and proved .an immediate favourite with the andionce, A feature of the concert was the pianoforte selections by the famous young Australian pianist, Mr. Percy Grainger. His interpretation of "Hungarian Ithapsodv, No. 12" (Lisy.l), was exceedingly heuuiil'ul. The [company's violinist, M. Leon Sametini, is a Dutch artist of great accomplishment, and (he audience quickly recognised this by demanding encore after encore. Ho is the possessor of a beautiful instrument, of which he is evidently master, Herr llenno Seherok is a. finished and sympathetic accompanist. On tlw whole, Madame Crossley's appearance in Paeroa, and the' delightful effects of the finished vocal anl liwlriimeiiliil numbers as heard last evening, will no doubt prove a most pleasant memory in the mind*! of the vast audience which tilled the Criterion Theatre on that occasion. |