MUSIC, DRAMA, ETC.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 44, 28 May 1891, Page 2

MUSIC, DRAMA, ETC.

Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amici ?

A concert in aid of St. Paul’s Church took place in the Choral Hall on Wednesday, 20th. Madame Burton kindly assisted, and a good house was consequently ensured. Madame Burton sang four songs—two on the programme, and two in gracious compliance with the inevitable encores. Although, in some respects, I do not consider this gifted lady s method strictly in. accordance with that of the best models, yet her fine dramatic instincts and truly artistic temperament always afford pleasure and compel admiration; “The Worker” she sang perhaps more effectively than ever ; but in her encore song, “The Three Fishers,” the tempo appeared to be much faster than the pace she usually sets for the first verse, which is very properly sung faster than the last. In the sustained phrase, on the word “moaning,” the singer, doubtless with the intention of conveying the meaning, gave occasional fresh impulses to the same breath, resulting in a vocal imitation of the sough of wind and waves on the harbour bar. This is an original effect, and on onomatopoeic principles a quite legitimate resource. In the second part Madame Burton gave Sullivan’s “ Sleep, my love, sleep,” the last passages being rendered with exquisite finish. As an encore, “ The Banks of Allan Water” delighted the audience, who bade the popular cantatrice an enthusiastic yet reluctant farewell. Mrs. A. Coates accompanied Madame Burton with nice discretion in all her songs. Mr. E. Barber was not in good voice, his intonation being consequently defective, and we feel sure that he can do much better under more favourable conditions. His second song, “ Thy Knight am I,” by Jude, was a great improvement on Parker’s “ Flying Dutchman.” Miss Freda Marsden played Raff’s cavatina with a power and earnestness of purpose surprising in a young lady. Her phrasing, tone, and intonation were beyond cavil. In striking contrast to the passionate and plaintive melody of Raff was Winiawski’s mazurka, in which the brilliant fioriture and difficult double-stopping were neatly and effectively rendered. Miss Marsden also played the violin obligato to Mrs. Raynes’ song “ In die Feme,” with taste and expression. In the opening quartette for violin (Miss Marsden), piano (Mrs. Butt), ’cello (Mr. Davies), and organ (Mr. Knight), Gound’s smooth and melodious setting of the “ Arrow and the Song,” Miss Marsden again shone, while the instruments were nicely balanced, and the number entirely satisfactory. The ’cello part, too, was excellently rendered. Mrs. A. Coates, accompanied by Mrs. Butt, sang that old favourite Scottish ballad, “The Land o’ the Leal,” with intense sensibility and artistic simplicity, and was rewarded by an enthusiastic recall. An apology, on the score of a bad cold, was tendered on behalf of Mr. T. Jackson, whose absence is always a disappointment to all who admire a pure and fresh tenor voice. Mr. Maitland’s song, “ Will of the Wisp,” was therefore transferred to the first part from the second. He was not in his best voice, but sang very acceptably under the handicap of a somewhat relaxed throat. Mrs. Kilgour’s song, “ I Heard a Voice,” by Pinsuti, elicited an undeniable encore, in response to which that lady sang Milliard’s “Waiting,” a song which suits the singer to perfection, She was even more successful than in her first song. -Blumenthal’s duet, “ Venetian Boat Song,” was nicely sung by Miss M. Harper and Mrs. A. Coates; but their voices do not blend quite perfectly. Miss Harper possesses a fine natural organ, and executed the staccato intervals with accuracy and purity. She should study the effect of combination in part singing, and keep her splendid voice under control, so as to mark the light and shade contrasts with more telling effect. I feel sure that with care she will become one of our best sopranos. Altogether, the concert was a most enjoyable one, and must have yielded a handsome contribution to the good object for which it was organised.

Miss Jennie Lee, on Monday, appeared as “ The Grasshopper/’ and won all hearts by a very naive and clever impersonation. The niece is adapted from the French “ La Cigale, by Mr. Burnett, who has done his work with

no slight literary skill. It abounds with absurd situations and atrocious puns. One especially funny piece of word-twisting is where Theophilus is pronounced to be “ The-orphilest name I ever heard!” Space will not permit me to analyse the characters, but Mr. J. P. Burnett, Mr. Edwin Lester, Mr. Charles Hill, Mr. Fred Cambourn, Mr. D. C. Smith, and Mr. G. P. Carey, all acted capitally, while Mrs. Bolton, Miss Ada Lee, and Miss Mary Hill fully sustained their reputation as capable and clever artistes.

In M. and Madame Patey Auckland has now the advantage of hearing singers trained on the most unimpeachable method. I would beg our budding amateurs to attend, and listen to examples of an even blending of registers. Observe in Madame Patey that it is not a case of soprano notes in the upper register, contralto notes in the lower, and a hiatus valde deflendus in the middle register, but one equal voice in all. This happy result is attained by the good old system of cultivating the middle eight notes of the voice first, and gradually expanding the compass both ways. Mr. Patey s unfortunate accident en voyage will I trust not seriously impair his voice. Anyhow, he has bravely determined to sing, and not disappoint his audiences. I regret that the Sporting Review going to press on Wednesday precludes my criticising the concerts this 1 week, but I have heard both these great singers many times, and could almost write a true criticism in anticipation.

In my notes of the concert at the Choral Hall I inadvertently forgot to mention that the blank in the programme caused by Mr. T. M. Jackson’s indisposition was ably filled by Mr. Leon Driver, a pianist of exceptional ability. He played a fantasia by Listz on “ Trovatore ’ with power, vigour, and a clear, distinct touch, which was unanimously encored. In response he gave an “ Andalusian March,” composed by himself, and produced an equally good impression—the piece containing less fireworks, but considerable merit of the more solid order.

Miss Jennie Lee is adding to her triumphs as Jack in the Box, a farcical melodrama, not altogether faultless in construction, but full of strong situations, good business and capital lines. Mr. Carey’s Toroni and Mr. Lester’s Professor O'Sullivan are splendid impersonations. Songs and dances are interspersed, and the piece goes well and is very amusing. The . scene in Toroni’s with song and chorus, “ Funiculi, Funiculse,” is very effective. “ Run Wild ” now occupies the boards, but too late to notice this week. It is well criticised in the Southern newspapers, and should succeed here.

Orpheus.