Music & Drama.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 85, 10 March 1892, Page 1

Music & Drama.

Spectatum admzssi risum teneatis amici ?

According to promise I give my extended, notice' of Madame Goldenstedt’s concert. Rarely has Mr. T. M. Jackson reached so high a pitch of excellence as in his rendering of Moir’s fine song, “ Only once more.” The singer was in perfect voice, and both in conception and execution proved completely satisfactory. Mr. Towsey at the piano ably assisted him. Mr. Jackson bowed his acknowledgments in response to loud and appreciative applause. Miss Rimmer, in good tune and with characteristic sensibility, sang Glover’s “ Blind Girl to her Harp,” the theme of which smacks strongly of one of Bellini’s airs in “ La Sonambula.” Barring a tendency to drag, in spite of Mr. Towsey’s marked efforts at the piano, the singer scored a success, and in response to an encore gave “ Scenes that are brightest ” very nicely. A trio by Gad 6— Noveletten op. 85 for piano, violin and ’cello—was fairly rendered by Messrs. Towsey, Hemus and Edger. The work is remarkable for a wealth of quaint melody and many taking imitation passages equally distributed. Madame Goldenstedt next sang “ Nella Fatal,” from Donizetti’s Lucrezia, and I was astonished and pleased to notice how remarkably she has improved and matured in her art since I last heard her in A uckland. She possesses a really fine mezzo, with good mellow notes, especially in the lower register. Her compass is much extended, and in dramatic fervour, attack, modulation and light and shade, she has developed into a genuine artist. That she had not quite recovered from her recent indisposition was evidenced by a slight huskiness, but so well did she please the audience that an enthusiastic encore brought Madame Goldenstedt back with another song. ‘ ‘ Annie Laurie ” was rendered with chaste and artistic simplicity and a bit of originality introduced into the phrasing of the words “ I’d lay me doun and dee ” Mr. W. H. George sang Watson’s “Thy Sentinel am I” with spirit, but the song does not entirely suit him. Miss Rimmer followed with Pinsuti’s popular “ White Wings,” very tastefully rendered in spite of the tempo being again somewhat drawn out. As an encore she gave “ The Soldier’s Tear ” with true pathos. Verdi’s duet, “Home to our Mountains,” received a pleasing interpretation from Madame Goldenstedt and Mr. T. M. Jackson, but the effect was somewhat marred by the efforts of an infant to make a trio of the celebrated Trovatore duet. Apart from this interpolation, the ensemble was perfect, Mr. W. H. George closed the first part with a nautical song, which was well received. After the interval Mr. Towsey announced that the Gad 6 trio set down on the programme could not be given as one of the performers had suddenly been called away. The prison scene from Maritana was then given in character by Mesdames Goldenstedt and Carrie Knight and Messrs. T. M. Jackson and Geo. Reid. Mr. Towsey at the piano behind the scenes played the introduction and Lazarillo’s

song, “ Alas, those chimes I ” narrowly escaping an encore, which would have been awkward, as Don Cesar had awakened from his slumber, and would have been compelled to compose himself to sleep once more had the bis been insisted upon. The parts in the scena were admirably dressed and sustained by the performers, Mr. G. Reid singing “In happy moments” especially well. Mr. Tom Jackson’s Don Cesar was a capital bit of work both musically and dramatically. Lazarillo (Madame Goldenstedt) looked especially charming, and convinced the audience that the reputation won in opera by “ our Cecilia ” is thoroughly deserved, Maritana (Miss Carrie Knight) was quite satisfactory, and I am pleased to announce that another concert will shortly be given, when similar attractive selections will be performed. The Hugo Minstrels had another good house on Saturday night, and introduced several successful changes in their excellent programme.

A eeast after a famine ! In addition to the coming entertainments announced last week, Aucklanders may expect in due course the Montagu-Turner Opera Company, Mr. Snazelle, a performer of the German Reed type, The Silbons’ Acrobatic and Variety Combination, Musgrove’s Empire Variety, etc., etc,

Encouraged by the success of her first venture, Miss Freda Marsden gave two moonlight concerts on Monday and Wednesday evenings this week, which were in every way very successful.

The Payne Family are again with us, and as popular as ever. Orpheus.