JOSEPH HISLOP.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19164, 22 November 1927, Page 15

JOSEPH HISLOP.

TO-NIGHT'S OPENING CONCERT

For his gala performance a: -.he Theatre Royal to-night, Mr Joseph Hislop, the famous tenor, has selected a particularly interesting programme. The booking is heavy, and a record atUndancc is assured for the opening of his Christchurch season. The principal item will be the aria, "Ah I Fuyez" from Masecnev's farnoun opera, "Manon." This number will be accompanied by organ, piano, and chimes, ar.d has created a furore at the concerts already given in New Zealand, the item having to bo repeated or followed by four or five encores. Mr Arthur Lilley (organist) has 'o(-en engaged tor this number. In the scene in Massenet's opera in which the big aria is sung, Chevalier des Gricux has been deserted by .Manon and is about to enter a monastery and take the vows. It is a song of renunciation. TII3 sweet visions ot tho past for which he will henceforth seek consolation in prayer are beautitullv depicted in this tong of very tender memories —a number in which Mr Hislop excells 1o the greatest advantage. "Lord Handa!," by Cyril Scott, is another number which has met with intense enthusiasm from the Australian and New Zealand papers. In this number Mr Hislop reveals himself as an artist of rare distinction, and invests it with wonderful atmosphere, the feeling of hopele« languor being intensified at eacli repetition of the son's expressed wisOi to lie down, and a climax of extraordinary power is reached in the. outburst of rags. Mr Hislop has the gift of accumulation and tho shutting off of tone at the least possible notice. He covers, spreads, and warms his voice with remarkable skill and graco. Sudden alterations irora the lyric to thh dramatic style prove hiß technical" virtuosity. A selection of the latest ballads is also included in a brilliaat and varied programme.

Mr Alberto Sciarretti, a eolo pianist ol extreme brilliancy with a fine reputation in America and Europe, will play a number of piano polos new to this part of the world. His principal numbers will be "Prelude and Fuge" by Sgambati, and some items by Italian composers also quite new. In response to a. great number of requests his encoreE to-night will include the popular Liebov traunie by Liszt, also one of the Chopin waltzes.

Kxtra rows of reserved seats will be opened up this morning at The Bristol at all prices, and for the convenience of patrons, the five shilling seats are being booked, and early application should be inade for choice of position. Tho threo shilling tickets are on sale to-day at The Bristol and Atkinson's Sweet Shop. A number of seals will be held for sale at the theatre to-night at unreserved prices. The doors will open sharp at 7 p.m. and the concert will commence at 3 o'clock. Patrons are particularly requested to he sealed by S o'clock, as the doors will be closed and no one admitted during the performance of an item. This rule will he enforced during thp entire season for the general convenience of musiclovers. Sinco his arrival in New Zealand, Mr Joseph Hislop hao been feted and acclaimed, and Christchurch is ready to extend him a wonderful welcome as Britain's ambassador of song, who has won such sensational euccesa in every opera house and concert hall of note in the world. The faot that he was the first British artist of international fame to sing in the Opera Comique, Paris, speaks for itself. On the death of the great Caruso this man was proclaimed the successor, and it is particularly gratifying to know that New Zoalanders have risen to the occasion to do him honour —even to the extent of breaking J. and N\ Tait concert records for attendances. '