MADAME RITA AND MR JOHN RADCLIFF.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1521, 23 April 1885, Page 2

MADAME RITA AND MR JOHN RADCLIFF.

From “ Pan to Pinafore ” was the title of a musical treat of very rare excellence given at the Oddfellows’ Hall last night by Madame Pauline Rita (a prirna donna who has deseivadly won the brightest renown as a most charming and accomplished vocalist) and Mr John Radcliff (the most illustrious and accomplished flautist the world has ever known). At no previous time has an Ashburton audience been treated to a bet!*.- or more interesting and instructive musical entertainment than that given by ivladamo Rita and Mr Radcliff, and it is no wonder that the appearance of these great artistes should have been looked forward to wiih the utmost pleasure, and the anticipation of enjoying a musical treat of the rarest excellence Owing to extremely unpropitious climatic influences, and two stropg counter attractions, tho audience was not large, but to merely state that it waa a highly appreciative and enthusiastic one would very imperfectly convey an idea of the unanimous and thoroughly genuine applause that greeted the artistes at the conclusion of ea"-h of the principal numbers appearing on a p ogramme of an unusually excellent character. The principal portion of the concert in which Mr Radcliff takes so large a. share has by some writers been termed a “ musical lecture,” and this may be true to a certain extent in so far as the earlier portion of the entertainment is concerned, but when he comes to the part where he introduces the flutes of the p:e sent day, and treats his audience to an exhibition of his marvellous skill in the pjanagement of the lips, longuing, power of expression, his wonderful rapidity of fingering, and the exquisitely sweet tones that he produces from the flute o’amodr, ( the oyl nder flute, and the new bass flute, the f.-eling is that of iho most intense j pleasure and indescribable rapture, and < when Madame Rita coiqes on the stage, t and avngs one of her favorite songs, wUb £

flute obligato by Mr Radoliff, it may with truth be said “ that flute and voice was never before heard to blond so beautifully,” and the most enthusiastic applause or warmest eulogy very poorly expressai the ecatadc feelings which such truly rare and artistic performances excite in the breasts of all who have the good fortune to be present. Mr Radoliff opens the entertainment by introducing the pipes of the earliest ages, and in a few concise, interesting and amusing remarks trices the development of the flute from the primitive pipe or simple cylinder down to the beautiful instrument of our own day. He conveys in a chatty, humorous strain much curious and interesting information, and as ho handles each instrument gives both oral and practical illustrations of what some of the ancient and uncivilised nations were pleased to consider music, these illustratrations being given with a view of showing both the development of the instrument and the marked difference between music of the earlier times and that which delight and entrance the people of our own time, air Radoliff introduces and plays upon the three-hole pipe the “ Kay,” the “ Arghool,” the flutes used by the Chinese, the Egyptian boatmen, the Zulus, the two note Malay flute, the snake charmers’ flute, the whistle, 6fe, one keyed flute and a large number of others, and the sounds he produced from those of the most primitive description were as fearsome and marvellous as the instruments were peculiar and rude in construction. The Mesette, the forerunner of the Scottish bagpipe, was also brought out and played upon. Probably the most ludicrous of all the instruments exhib ted was the Upper Armenian bagpipe, which consists simply of the skin of a big, with a chanter. This Mr Radoliff inflates by means of a pair of bellows and produces sounds similar to those that have become so dear to the hearts of the Highlanders, and which possess the peculiar faculty of rousing them in battle to a state of irresistible enthusiasm. On one of the small pipes of the early times, Mr Radoliff played an ancient • Hebrew melody, traditionally suppose 1 to be that to which the “ Song of Miriam” was originally sung. Mr Glutsam played an accompaniment on the American organ, and at the close Mr Raduliff remarked that th»i beautiful melody would put to blush mtitty of the hymn tunes we are sometimes now obliged to listen to. The melody was certainly very fine, and one which on so simply constructed a reed instrument could only be produced by an accomplished musician such as Mr Radoliff. Madame Rita then appeared on the stage and sang, “ The Bird that came in Spring" (composed expressly for herself by Sir Julius Benedict), with flute obligato by Mr Radoliff, Mr 0 utsam playing the piano accompaniment. The piece is a most difficult and beautiful composition, and Madame Pauline Rita, who possesses a moat astonishing flute-like voice, with such skill and culture ’as are rarely combined, held the audience spell-bound while she exec ited in the highest artistic manner the brilliant passages in this truly beautiful song. She seems to sing with no apparent effort, but her stylo and vocalisation is of the highest and most finished order, and the perfect accord of voice and flute was enthralling and delightful in the highest possible degree. Both the vocalist and fliutist seemed to be rivalling each other in the eff >rts to pour out the most delightful and melodious tones we have ever had the felicity of listening to. The song received the heartiest of hearty and genuine applause, and Madame Rita acknowledged the richly deserved compliment by singing a berceuse by Gounod- Mr Radoliff then played with marvellous expressiveness and indescribable skill a fantasia on Scotch airs. The piece was brilliantly executed, and won for him the warmest applause and an unmistakeable encore. In response “ Rule Britannia ” was given in the most masterly style we have ever heard. Indeed, without writing one word of mere flattery we can safely assert that until Mr Radcliff came amongst us we had not the least idea that the flute was such a wonderfully beautiful instrument, capable in the hands of so thorough a master of giving forth tones of so exquisitely sweet and melodious a nature, Gunod’s “ Ave Maria” sp cially arranged for voice, tenor flute, piano and organ, concluded the fir.it part of the programme Anything more delightful than this grand peice of music could not possibly be imagined, and the audience were delighted beyond expression both by the singing of Madame Rita and the flute playing of Mr Radoliff. We should like to convey some idea of the pleasure felt in listening to this wonderful piece of music so brilliantly executed as it was last evening, but if we were to attempt it we should utterly fail, for no words could do it justice. It was without the slightest shadow of doubt the greatest musical treat that has ever heen given to an Ashburton audience. “L>, here the gentle lark,” with flute obligato, was also a rare treat and was loudly applauded and re-demanded. During the evening Mr Radoliff played selections on the bass flute, a new and beiutifully deep, rich full-toned inatru merit. He also played on the cylinder flute. His principal items in the second part of the programme were selections from Irish airs, “Blue Bells of Scotland,” “ Home, Sweet Home,” and “ Auld Robin Gray,” the playing of which showed how deep a study he had made of flute playing, and what a highly accomplished fliutist he has become. Mr Glutsam, a very talented pianist, p’ayed several solos in a most brilliant and masterly manner and won very hearty applause. This ! gentleman is certainly a pianist of rare promise and is sure to make a great name for himself. A medley of airs from the well known opera “ Patience,” played by Mr Radoliff and Madame Rita, brought to a close the most rare musical treat wo have ever heard in Ashburton. It is seldom the Ashburton puolic have amongst them such talented artistes, and all those who love to hear good music we would advise to pay a visit to the Oddfellows’ Hall this evening It is an opportunity that should not be missed. Previous to and after the performance Madame Rita and Mr Radoliff were seranaded by the Excelsior Band. Mr Iladcliff complimented the band upon their music, and kindly volunteered a number of suggestions, which were evideut'y much valued by the members.