JOSEPH HISLOP.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19165, 23 November 1927, Page 10

JOSEPH HISLOP.

A GREAT RECEPTION.

HIGH REPUTATION SUSTAINED.

A great tenor is and has been since David and Solomon's time as rare as the bluebird. Once hi 9 leap to fame is made, he is the irresistible magnet round whom flutter adoring crowds, pre-eminently feminine. For no other voice so captures their imagination, so surely touches their hearts. He personifies the ideal lover. And the rare bird knows it.

And thus it happened again last night when at the first appearance of Mr Joseph Hislop hardly a seat at the Theatre Royal was left empty, and "he was recalled endlessly and cheered to the echo. Mr Hislop has come to uphold a great reputation, which he soon proved was not merely poster made. Tall, slender, and full of spirit, his appearance is decidedly prepossessing. Without applying the measuring-stick to define his status in the tenor world, all present were carried away by the very first demonstration of his powers in Beethoven's "Adelaide." His organ, of the lighter lyric type, emits and preserves beauty of tone throughout its range, is ready to lead up from tender accents to very substantial power at its emotional height, and his Scottish tongue favours clarity of diction, in sundry languages. There is no affectation; what he expresses rings true; his artistic sense guides him safely. At rare intervals in passionate operatic style one could wish him not to employ extreme force for the sake of the preservation of the voice. Otherwise nothing but fulsome praise is his due. The programme was fairly divided between operatic extracts and concert songs. He had chosen the greatest of tenor love-songs ever conceived for his first production, Beethoven's "Adelaide," a severe test of a singer's art and endowment, from which he emerged triumphantly, adding most effectively another very fine love scene, the Poet's Song from "La Boheme." Next in order followed a group of songs, in which a charming "Aubade" by Lalo was delightfully given. But perhaps the most striking number was Cyril Scott's "Lord Randal," on account of its vivid characterisation by the singer. Nothing less than an Aria from "La Tosca," powerfully conveyed, served as an encore. Another group included a racy "Song of the Hebrides," and Frank Bridge's most clever fGo Not, Happy Day," as Ihe most noteworthy and enjoyable numbers, admirably sung. In the final lovely Aria from Massenet's "Manon" co-operated, beside the piano, the organ under Mr Arthur Lilly's able hands and a peal of bells, resulting in a very realistic scene, the singer acting with fine effect. Some Scottish songs also appeared as in duty bound, nor is it doubtful that justice was to these airs of his homeland.

In all, Mr Hislop had made a, great and lasting impression. The brilliant success of the season is assured. With Mr Hislop is associated a very skilful pianist, Signor Alberto Sciarretti, who excels in glittering passage work at his solos, and is a sympathetic accompanist, excepting in Beethoven's "Adelaide," which seems to leave him cold. A very interesting "Praiude and Fugue" by Sgambati disclosed from his first entry his pronounced abilities. Subsequently the G minor "Ballade" of Chopin's and Liszt's "Liebestraum" ranked highest among his contributions. He also was most enthusiastically approved of and encouraged by recalls. SECOND CONCERT THURSDAY. The second concert of the season will be given in the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening, when a brilliant programme will be presented, including "O Lord Most Holy" (Cesar Franck), -which will bo accompanied by organ, violin, and piano. Mr Arthur Lilly, A.R.C.O. (organist), and Miss Irene Morris (violinist) have been specially engaged for this number. Mr Joseph Eislop's other items. will include: —"A Dream" (Grieg), "The Swan" (Grieg), "The Sea" (Rachmaninoff), "Undi,""tfrom "Andrea Chenier" (Giordano), "Island Sheiling Song" (Fraser); "Villanelle" (Scott) "Toll Gate Hoaße" (Rowley); "Mary of Argyle" (Nelson); "I Heard You Singing" (Coates), and the same composer's "Bird Songs at Eventide." Encores will be selected from the favourite operas "La. Boheme," "La Tosca," "Carmen," etc. Mr Alberto Sciarretti, the distinguished solo pianist, will play several groups of interesting pianoforte numbers, one attractive novelty being "Momento Mori" (fox-trot tragico) by Tedesco, also the "Polonaise in A Flat" (Chopin) will be included. Extra rows of reserved seats will be opened for booking at The Bristol this morning, also day sale tickets at The Bristol and Theatre Royal sweet shop will be sold from 9 a.m. J. and N. Tait announce that, in consequence of the enormous interest in the season, and in order to meet popular demand, they have made arrangements with Mr Hislop to give. one extra concert, which will take place in the Theatre Royal next Saturday night. The box plan for this concert opens this morning.