ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 514, 22 May 1909, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

MISSES M. WEBBE AND G; SPOONEE. Rare indeed aro the ocoasions whan tho ama' tour concert, platform is graced by a cluster ofeach clover girls as - those who ; graocd the pianoforte recital given in the Concert Chamber last evening. Primarily, the reoital was given to display .the undoubted talent possosssd I by Miss Madoleine Webbe and Miss Gertrude Spooner. Both of these youne ladies, who belong to Auckland, display the result of an ! earnest and persistent study of the piano and the highest class of music written for the instrument. Their skill -and . temperamental capacity, as exemplified last evening, entitles them to bb considered amongst tho very best of lady exponents of the pianoforte in tho Dominion,' and none who heard them last evening left the hall having anything but a very high opinion of their playing, The test they set themselves was a big one. -The programme opened i with an excerpt from the Homeric writings of TsehaikowsKy,' his Concerto in B Plat Minor,' a stressful piece that would daunt many an ablopianist. Tho visitors made light of it. Miss Webba played the solo part with superb dash, displaying a prepossessing individuality, brilliant execution, and a Full and delicate appreciation of the tono gradations demanded by the great Russian's passionately conceived music. Miss Spooner filled in the orchestral part at a second piano, and in so doing showed commendable exactitude and force. Tho interpretation o£ this difficult number was marked by a fino broad interpretation, and was played with a vivid strength and spontaneity that betokens a correct understanding. From. Tschaikowsky to Chopin is more than a hop, step, and a jump, yet Miss Webbe proved her versatility by ' giving a .charming demonstration of how Chopin should bo played. The "languorous; brilliancy" of tho master lyrist of the piano was revealed in her delightful rendering of the "Berceuse," the "Ballade in "A Flat," and that ripple of sunlight'under the trees, the "Etude in G Flat." commonly known as " Tho Butterfly." Loudly recalled, Miss Webba still further pleased her audience with the dainty "Am Gonfer Sea," of Bendet. With Miss Spoonsr Miss Wobbo played tho rhythmically melodious "Carneval" (Schyfte). Miss Spooner, who is also a spirited player, and who docs not lack either warmth or finish, played the "Caroaval" of Schumann very, well indeed, managing to infnse distinctive colouring into ber work. Her effort induced an encore, and die responded with that dewdrop of melody, "Why" (Schumann).'.

The artistic invasion from Auckland did not end with the pianists, Mis 3 Peggy Bain, a violinist, with a full, sweet tone, who hows woll and knows well, made a distinctly favourable impression in the familiar "Andante" from Mendelssohn's "Conoerto," whioh sho played, skilfully, carefully, and with not a little sympathy. Public'feeling forced bor to play Willielmy's arrangement of "Tho Ike" (Schubert). Later Miss Bain overcame iho occenlnoitltis ,of Sarasate's "Zigeunerweiseo," and again she waa recalled to delight, all with ah .appreciative interpretation of Saint-Saens' "La Cygne."., . The ■ vocalists of the evening were Miss Blanche Garland and Mr. J. F. Carr. Miss Garland has a strong sympathetic mezzosoprano voico that should be even better by and by. She sang "I Will not Grieve" (Schubert) rather well, but wasnot sohappyin'The Wanderer" (Schubert), - Undoubtedly her best number was "Imitation" (E. Barry), a pretty air set to charming lyrics; Mr. J. P. Cansang "Love's Tears" (Schumann) and "At Even" (Franz), the former much the better. As an encore he sang "Ever so far Away" (Braun). Tho accompaniments were ' shared by Misses Spooner and Webbe. - Amongst the audience 1 were the Prime Minister and Misa Eileen Ward, who were accompanied by Mies Prouse and Mr. W. Prouse. At; tho next recital, to bo giTen .on Tuesday. evening next. Miss Spooner will cire us a tast? of her quality in Tsohaikoweky, being set down for .thosa movements of his B Plat Minor Concerto not played by Miss Webbe last evening. Miss Spooner. will also play items by Lizst anil Chopin. ' Miss Webbe 'will play Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in C Sharp Minor," "From a German Forest" (MaoDonnell), and Lizsfs "Ehapsodio,-No. 6." Miss Bain and Mr. Carr will also' assist materially. > THEATRE ROYAL. 'Patrons ot tho Theatre Royal last night found in tho current .series of moving-pictures much to interest them. Judging by the amount of applause the films depicting hunting in . tho African wilds and frozen Niagara were tho most fascinating. Of tho,'humorous pictures nono was more, amusing than that entitled "A ■Lovcr'a Stratagems." This evening Messrs. Fullers .will present im entire change of programme.. Tho principal film will be President Taft's inauguration, which took place as recently 'as March last Many other now films will also s be presented, embracing drama, sport, industry,- and travd, so that intending patrons can rely on witnessing a first-class pioturo entertainment . ; .

. , HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The how series of Royal ■ Pictures are well up to the high-standard, wlhoh the proprietary at _ His . Majesty's Theatre have ;hitherto mnintaied; List night, ai usuil, the buildin r waa packed -to tho doors,' and patrons- were delighted with the programme. Among the most interesting films wero thoso . entitled "Tho Gamekeeper's Sons," "Nick Carter in Danger," "A Special License," "Industrial India," and "A, Cheap Entertainment." There will be a matinee this' afternoon, in addition to the performance, this evening. /.

ALLAN HAMILTON'S DRAMATIC COM PANT.

; This' new organisation, which has ' rsjently conoluded an eminently successful nine weeks' season at' the Palaco Theatre, Sydney, will shortly.' commence : a New Zealand tour, .opening at the Opera House.on Friday, May. 28. The; initial productionn will be a brilliant reSresentation of George R. Sims's favourite ranu; "In ;• tie Banks," a' stiring 1 military work, which has proved a standard attraction on tho l'lnglish stage for soveral years past. The last timo "In: the KanJcs"...was',presented in New Zealand was by tho veteran actor, George Eignold lind.Company, and it is worthy of note that -Mr. Allan Hamilton secured Mr. Rignold's services for lie. supervision' of the present' revival, , .Tho .Sydnejr press .''speak m the most glowing terms of tho performinc?, tho "Herald"...remarking wholething. was surprisingly . well, done, and those ' who, came to renew acquaintance; with. 'In' ,tho, EmUes/ after ;an interval of several-years,-as. well as .those who saw tho drama for :tlio, first ,timo, had'good reason for their evident satisfaction toth with' play .and perfocnanas." Ifr, Hamilton lias sccureti 'a company'.of acknowledged favourites in the world of drama/ notably 11r. George Cross (late leading-,man. in- Melbourne and. Sydney for Mr. William Anderson), Miss Ada Guildford, Miss Maud Chetwynd, ilisa lioamarv Eees (a nativo of Gisborne, who i,cw makes her first appearance in New Zealand after an extended tour in the Old Cjontrv). Mr. "Wilton. Power, Mr. Wilton Welch, Mr. E. B. Russell, Mr. John Hcsford, Miss May Hiesford, and several others equally well known, tho'.company consisting'of So people. Tho rofiertoire to be submitted during the" Now Ze'aand tour will consist of "In tho Ranks," "Queen of the Night," "King of Crime," "In tho Name of the King,". and "A Message from Mars." Tho plan is announced, to open at Holliday's on Tuesday morning. ' ' . ■ OLTMPIA.. BINK. ; Excellent attendances continue to'patronise all sessions at the Ingestre Street skating rink.' This morning, there; will be a-matinee at which ladies and children are allowed Bkates free of charge. The band will attend both afternoon and evening sessions. On Monday night,. a 20-lap handicap will take place, and a fancy and evening dress~carnival will be Jield oh May 28. .' . '■ ... WELLINGf&N MUSICALUNION. The Musical Union will open its season on Tuesday,' June 1, with. CowenV "Sleeping Beauty," a' work which has not been produced in Wellington for a lomj timo.: This is probably Cowen's most attractive choral work. The romantic tUemo of the old legend appealed strongly to his temperament; and he has woven into it a very skilful and beautiful musical setting. All elements of the work, choral, orchestral, and solo, are 'interesting. With the prospect of a good programme, the Musical Union may look forward to a largo attendance of subscribers and the public.