CHORAL HALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 854, 19 July 1906, Page 13

CHORAL HALL.

MISS AMY MURPHY. Monday night was a particularly wet and boisterous one, and it required a very special attratction to draw people away from their firesides. It spoke volumes for Miss Amy Murphy’s reputation to find the Choral Hall fairly well filled with what speedily became a very appreciative audience. The Wellington vocalist has a most charming stage presence, while her voice, if not actually a great one, is nevertheless a well-cultivated organ, combining freshness with purity of tone, and has also a very considerable compass. Moreover, the singer pays due attention to the meaning of each particular song, instead of sacrificing the words for the sake of the music. The opening piece was Verdi’s “Ernoni,” which, although well rendered, is too much of the “fireworks” order to really appteal Much more appreciated was the daintly given Swing Song (Liza Lehmann). The next item was D’Ardelot’s “I Hid My Love,” and Lehmann’s “The Cuckoo,” the arch rendition of the latter especially pleasing the audience,, and in response to the empathic recall the ever-popular “Good-bye” was given in a most sympathetic manner. Two or three pretty lyrics met with appreciation, but better liked was the encore number, “The Banks of Allan Water,” which brought; forth emphatic demonstrations of approval. The final item was “The Coquette,” which at least served to show under what fine control Miss Murphy has her voice, although the audience would doubtless have preferred a more sympathetic ballad. Miss Murphy was presented with three beautiful bouquets during the evening. The support accorded might well have been stronger. Miss Millicent Haywood gave a number of pianforte items, of which the best was perhaps Keton’s “Chasse au Papillon.” Mr. Stuart Maclean’s ’cello solos were

perhaps hardly in his best form, moreover he appeared somewhat handicapped by his instrument. Mr. J. M. Clark told the story of Jean Goello very clearly, although perhaps hardly in the manner of an ancient mariner. In response to an empathic recall, he gave the much liked “How Did You Die,” which the late Mel. B. Spurr made so popular here. Mrs. Macandrew and Mr. H. Winklemann acted as accompanists. The second concert takes place this evening, when an entirely new programme will be submitted.