DENSEM AND HIS LANTERN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 50, 30 September 1892, Page 15

DENSEM AND HIS LANTERN.

4 This entertainment has continued a source of attraction in Dnnedin throughout the weak. Mr Densem's singing it too well known and too well appreciated by the lovers of maaic in this city to need any description from us, so far as they are Jconewned. But, for the benefit of residents in other large towns and in those country districts which it is the intention of the company to visit, we may say that it is baritone singing of a very admirable kind. Mr Densem is possessed of a fine voice, which has received careful culture, and his dramatic talent also enables him to make a most telling use of it. The distinctness of his enunciation, moreover, lets every word be dearly heard and to every phrase the right expression is given. So dealt with, it is evident that such songs as, for example, the " Life Boat," the " Village Blacksmith," and " Ora pro nobis " are strikingly effective. As for the song last named, it is not the singer's fault that a congregation of very questionable charity are represented as engaged in devout prayer. For our own part, we would not give much for the fervour of a devotee who should confine his expression of pity to crossing himself at the sight of misery and calmly pass on to his devotions, leaving any unfortunate creature to perish of cold and hunger. But the exigencies of the poet must account for this ;— the singer must accept the situation as he finds it. As we have already said, the illustration of each particular event dwelt on in the songs by pictures shown by the lime light add much to the effect. The pictures are very life-like and well designed and executed. For those whose taste lies in a comic direction Mr Densem alto provides. His » Silver Wedding," for instance, with its speeches and musical efforts, once heard will not easily be forgotten. The amateur tenors of the particular neighbourhood are likely for some time afterwards to shun the " rendition "of " My Pretty Jane"— with its tremulous cadences and goat-like runs. For those who have now and then wished the rye to be less invitingly blooming, to be strongly bearded in fact and most unattractive to lovers, this will be no disaster.— We alluded last week^to Mr Hawkins' performance on the organ and piano, and a further acquaintance with it has confirmed our opinion of its merits. The music played is particularly charming. Indeed the arrangements from the operas and those of national airs are quite exceptional. Some pretty waltzes composed by Mr Hawkins are also played and we should say are likely to become general favonrites when once they are known. Among the other portions of the entertainment *c may mention, as especially deserving of notice, a series of views of the Albambra. More realistic pictures of ruined anddesolate magnificence and beauty it would be difficult to find. But on the whole the entertainment is not only amusing bat artistic and refined as well. It amply repays a visit,