THE SINGER TALKS.

Waikato Times, Issue 12868, 15 May 1914, Page 4

THE SINGER TALKS.

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DOLORES IN HAMILTON. A' CHARMING PERSONALITY. Of all the singers who have visited New Zealand there is none who has won so warm a place in the hearts of the people of the Dominion as Mdlle. Dolores. It is three years since Antonia Dolores visited New Zealand, when she left behind her thousands of old friends strengthened in their admiration of her personality and musical ait, together with numerous new ones. It is*not surprising, therefore, that her present tour -of the Dominion is arousing considerable interest, and considering that on this occasion it has to be greatly curtailed, Hamilton is extremely fortunate in being one of the few favored inland towns site honors. .Mdlle., who is accompanied by her life-long friend ami companion, .Mdlle. Vandau, arrived in Hamilton yesterday, together with the highly talented young pianist, .Miss Iris de Cairos-Rego. Dolores, who possesses a charming manner, is a brilliant conversationalist. One enters the presence of so highly talented an artiste with some trepidity, hut alter the formality of introduction feels immediately at home. Mdlle. Dolores, Mdlle. Vandau, and Miss Iris de Cairos-Rego are, in fact, as charming, hanpy, and lovable a trio as are to be found in the constellation of musical stars. Those who have known Dolores many years say she is still Dolores, and what more need be said of litis, gracious and charming lady. Her" glorious voice retains all its beauty and puiity, as demonstrated at the concerts on her present tour, while in other respects time has failed to make its impress upon her. Her charm lies in tlie fact that she is a womanly woman, sweet natured, ready to laugh with those who laugh, and comfort those in trouble. It is because she opens her soul to her audiences in her songs that her singing is so beautiful. Her sympathetic nature showed itself last night in her references to the death oi Madame Nordica, with whom she sang on many occasions. "Poor, poor .Madame; she'was so beautiful, s<\ talented, so kind, and so charitable in everything. To think she should meet her end in such a manner, so far away from home, in the midst of strangers in a strange land, saddens my heart beyond words." Speaking of her travels since "last in Hamilton, Dolores said she had been over the greater part of England and the Continent, as well as South Allien. She always looks forward to her visits to New Zealand, however, where, she says, the climate is cellent, and where she has so many friends. Mdlle. has many amusing experiences to relate, one of the mast recent of which was during the successful season just concluded in Wellington. Mdlle. was singing an Irish Folk Song, and had no sooner reached the part where the trilling notes of a bird are heard, when suddenly a starling fluttered on to the stage beside her and commenced to sing simultaneously, ceasing with the termination of the song. Speaking of the girl who hopes to become a singer of renown. Mdlle. said one of the fiist essentials is that she must work, ami work hard. The truth should be told to the girl who sings, as so many join the great, sorry battalion of those misled and misguided by their friends. The truth should be told her. kindly told. She should not lie flattered, neither should she be disheartened. By dealing gently with her she would in many cases be spared years of suffering, using her gifts in ways which would ,he to her advantage. And the girl who could sing would really be helped along her way by all the sincere help and criticism given her by those who really were her friends, because they would not be afraid to tell the truth. Dolores, who regrets the shortness of her present tour, gives her only conceit in Hamilton this evening, and leaves for Auckland to-morrow.