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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1560, 18 March 1920, Page 37

A very enjoyable recital was given at the' Town Hall Concert Chamber on Tuesday evening, March 9, by Edwin Dennis, tenor. This was his initial recital, and from the wellchosen programme he had ample opportunity to display his abilities as an interpreter of different styles of song, also to demonstrate easy vocal production, combined with artistry. Freeness of throat, by the way, is one of his aims. The opening numbers, the recit. “Comfort Ye” and aria “Ev’ry Valley,” from “The Messiah,” were well sung, the recitalist showing marked ability as an oratorio performer. The florid passages in the latter aria were correctly sung, the quality of the voice remaining through to the highest note. “O Mistress Mine” (Quilter), from Shakesperian Cycle, received a very neat interpretation, as did the “Mallinson” pair, “Gloriana” and “Baby.” Knowledge of opera was displayed in the rendition of “Vesti la Guibba,” from “I Pagliacci.” In the two “Tone pictures” of Cadman’s “From the Land of the Sky-blue Water” and “The Moon Drops Low,” Mr. Dennis showed intelligence in local colour. “Under the Lanterns” (Sanderson) was another interesting item. Tastefully interpreted were “Boat Song” (Ware) and “Phyllis has Such Charming Graces” (Lane-Wilson), the minor effect throughout making a nice change. “Inter-nos” (McFadyen) was the concluding number, a dramatic song handled with a good sense of discrimination. As encores- “Crow’s Egg” (Wells) and “May I Print a Kiss” (Bond) were given, both delightful little songs, with a humorous vein running through. Miss Winifred Mitchell, as usual, played with skill, and her rendering of “Romance” (Wieniouski) was well applauded. Mr. Thomas Harris, elocutionist, also assisted in the evening’s entertainment. Mr. Cyril Towsey accompanied with his customary brilliance.

The amount of the amusement tax for the Dominion shows a steady increase. For the year 1918-19 it amounted to £40,290, while in the nine months’ period of 1919-20 it has reached £43,700.