A MUSICAL TREAT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 58, 21 March 1944, Page 8

A MUSICAL TREAT

CONCERT IN WHAKATANE AUSTRALIAN GREATER ARTISTS SOCFETY Tile first professionally produced co 11 cert to be staged in Whakatane for many years, toolc place in the Grand Theatre on Thursday eveniing. Unfortunately, the rain, as Avell as several counter attractions, prevented a good house, but those Avho were present were treated to a musical event seldom heard outside the professional opera. The artists were under the direction and management of Mr Natan Sclieinwald. who is well known in connection with some of the greater vocalists of our time such as Paul Robeson, John Charles Thomas, Oscar Natzske and Peter Dawson, to mention but a few of them. The programme opened with three songs, rendered by Robert. Wilson, the celebrated tenor —"Dedication," "Where'er You Walk," and ''Who' is Sylvia.'' The instant and general appeal he. made to the public ay as very evident, and lie received a great ovation. Henri Penn'.s rendering of the Warsaw Concerto, was eagerly awaited and much appreciated l)y the. crowd., many of Avhom had come expressly to hear it. The Miserere scene from ''f 1 Ti'ovatore" which was sung as a duet by Wanda llo's. soprano and Robert 'Wilson Ava.s also an exceptionally good item, despite the fact thai the rain did its best to drown it.

LSei'ore the selection from the opera "Gianni Schrieehi" rendered by Wanda Ro.s, Henri I'eiin gave, the audience a description of the story and the circumstances under which the song, "O Mio Babbino" was sung putting ably into "words the scenes and . dialogue of this very humorous opera. Continuing with his selections, Mr Pitnn next played two pieces entitled "Little Music ISo.v' and "Wild Man's Dance," both of which were very enjoyable. At the request ol' one. ol' the audience, he played Kaehmani nolT's "Prelude" which was a masterpiece ol' pianoforte work. The concert closed Avith a number of items I) 3' Itobert Wilson, from 3lis repertoire of songs which includes over forty numbers, those lie sung being "Lord iiandal, "Meanuie with the Light Brown Hair," '"The World is Waiting for the Sunrise," "For England/ 5 "The. Lord's Prayer," and "The Four I .oaf Clover" followed by the National Anthem which was led by the parly accompanied by Henri Penn.