LIBERTY CONCERT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 121, 25 May 1942, Page 6

LIBERTY CONCERT

PETER ATTRACTS ENTHUSIASM AT TOWN HALL Both as an extremely enjoyable entertainment and as a means of raising money for patriotic funds, Saturday night's Liberty Concert, held in the Town Hall, was a great success. Mr. 1 Peter Dawson, the very popular Australian Baritone, was in fine form. The augmented N.B.S. orchestra, under Mr. Tndersen Tyrer, pleased listeners in several tastefully-chosen and well-played selections, and there was a packed house. At his first appearance the singer gave a virile presentation of Stanford's stirring "Songs of the Sea." with the Royal Auckland Choir, conducted by Mr. Harry Woolley, singing the chorus. When he reappeared in the "'second half of the programme, Mr. Dawson delighted the extremely appreciative audience with a number of songs ; and ballads, ranging from "The Floral v Dance" to "Waltzing Matilda," many of them being special request numbers, all sung with a wealth of expression and a. superlative sense of rhythm. Tastefully directed by Mr. Andersen Tyrer, and ably led by Vincent Aspey. an orchestra of about 50 instrumentalists played with a nice regard for nuance and, for the most part, good tone. Outstanding among the selections presented were, perhaps, Thomas' "Mignon" overture, and an impressive orchestral arrangement by Mr. Tvrer of Bach's "Fantasia and Fugue in G 'Minor." A most pleasing feaure was the- artistic work of that very talented harpist, Miss Winifred Carter. The singing of Elgar's "Land of Hope and Glory" by Mr. Dawson, the choir and audience joining in the chorus, brought a memorable evening to a close. Mr. Henri Penn was Mr. Dawson's admirable accompanist. Introduced by Mr. Frank Sutherland, representing the committee, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, made an appeal during a break in the programme for subscriptions to the Liberty Loan, and also thanked Mr. Dawson and Mr. Tyrer for their valuable services. Mr. Parry also announced that as a result of the concert the patriotic funds would benefit to the extent of £600.