MISS MACDONALD'S RECITAL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18362, 21 April 1925, Page 13

MISS MACDONALD'S RECITAL.

So raanv singers labour under the uelusiou that to be successful on the stage, they must develop big "voices, and, unfortunately, a large section the public rejoices in plenty and encourages escess. As the first law in singing should be recognised beauty of tone, in every position and on every vowel. Miss Lilian Macdonald, who appeared at the Choral Hall last night, proved in several songs that she could restrain her voice and sing with feeling ano grace, and refined inflections, like in the "Lilac Tree," in '-Butterfly Wings and "At Dawning," and even up to a certain degree of power the voice sounds well. Beyond it, the touo harden?, and that is specially the case where the vowels ce and ay occur. The operatic numbers from "Sonambula" suffered most from the mistaken aim and effort. Miss Macdonald has temperament, her enunciation is excellent, and coulu succeed very well indeed with suitably chosen songs outside of opera. Miss Macdonald found a very accomplished and tasteful accompanist in Miss Eileen Twomey.

Miss Vera Mitchell delighted us with a series of admirably played 'cello solos, in which her mellow tone and advanced technique took large The movements by the Italian master Yalentini. Herbert's charming "Serenade" and the tricky "Hungarian Dance" bv Fischer, all boie testimony to hei>_ accomplishments. Miss Eileen Bownyes plavcd the accompaniments well, bub ill" pedal was too much in evidence. The siood effect of Mr David X. Bishop's singing increased as lie. proceeded with his contributions : "Dawn" was superior to the 'Harlequin," and "Arise, O Sun," surpassed it. Moreover, "On the Banks of Allan Water" disclosed warm emotional expression very praiseworthy.