JOHN McCORMACK IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1240, 22 January 1914, Page 34

JOHN McCORMACK IN AUCKLAND.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC SCENE

New Zealanders can count themselves lucky in having had the opportunity of hearing three of '■ the world’s greatest singers within the last few months —Nordica. Clara Butt and John McCormack. The celebrated Irish tenor was here just two years ago, so desire was seen in everyone to hear him once aaain. Fresh from his Australian and southern triumphs, Mr. McCormack made his anpearance at the Auckland Town Hall at three concerts last week, his farewell demonstration on Friday being marked with unparalleled enthusiasm.. Over 3000 peonle were present, and at the conclusion thev cheered him to the echo with a lustineMisi and vehemence to which the Town Hah is not accustomed. But John McCormack sang straight to their hearts, and thev were not above showing it.

The wonderful quality of his lovely voice, his forceful delineation ot vocal pictures, his brilliant treatment of operatic excerpts, not forgetting

his delicious brogue in simple Irish ballads, kept his huge audience entranced, and he met with ovation after ovation. Mr. McCormack’s numbars included “ Cujus Animam ” with organ accompaniment, Tosti’s “Ideale,” Cadman’s “ The Moon Drops Low,” and “The Lord is My Light,” his Irish

numbers being “ She Passed Thro igh the Night,” “ At the Mid Hour of Night ” and “ Kathleen Mavourneen,” the singing of the latter rousing his hearers to a wild scene of enthusiasm, which was further incited when the great tenor responded with an inspiriting singing of “ The Minstrel Boy.” Eiven then they clung to their seats till he gave them the ever-welcome “La Donna e Mobile.”

The pathos and humour of ould Ireland were also re-created by the singer in “Molly Brannigan,” “Mother Macree,” and other Irish ditties which he so generously offered. In fact, Mr. McCormack, who has all the charm of his nationality, confesses that the beautiful songs of his native country are as great a source of delight to himself as to his audiences. Miss May Huxlev, as on the two previous occasions, delighted everyone with the brilliance, finish and

true quality of her voice, and every item was greeted with vofiferous applause, culminating in recalls. The gifted young Melbourne violinist, Mr. Donald Mcßeath, played with an easy grace and charm .that gave genuine pleasure to all, and the usual tribute was claimed from him. Mr. Vincent O’Brien —who, bfy the way, “discovered” Mr. McCormack, and is himself a composer of note and a pianist in the

foremost rank in Ireland —completed the combination, and as accompanist played with admirable taste and perception.