CARRENO.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 859, 4 July 1910, Page 5

CARRENO.

SCENE OP GREAT ENTHUSIASM. The largest audience of the season was present at Carreno's final concort, given in the Opera Houso on Saturday evening. Could she afford to stay a few days longer in Wellington the public might rise to a proper comprehension of the pre-emin-ence of this artist, who plays herself into the hearts and niiurls of her audienco by her transcendent talent which fascinates, charms, ;>nd commands tho ready homage of all who love the purest in music interpreted by a master hand. Tho programme on Saturday evening included Beethoven's great sonata (No. 3, op. 31), a work of very great technical difficulty, and of much symphonic charm. Tho conclusion of the last movement—a stirring presto con fuoco, played with amazing orispness and force—was the signal for a storm of applause intermingled with "Bravos" from the crowded gallery, occupied, it was gratifying to note, mostly with young people, Madame had to bow her acknowledgments three or four times, but still the applause reverberated through the building, so, with delightful sang-froid, sho played the next number on the programme, the brilliant "Etudes Symphoniques" of Schumann, gently intimating that although usually so bountiful with encores, it was rather much to ask for ono a thirty-minutes sonata. Grieg's Concerto in A minor (opus. 16), for two pianos, has not been heard here for some time, if ut nil. It is a very beautiful work, instinct with tho mysterious gripping spirit of the recently-deceased Norwegian composer in motif and tlioso weird bits of melody and quaintly tuneful runs which make Grieg's music so distinctive—nationally distinctive from tho German and French classical writers for tin) pianoforte. The performance of C'arrcno and Herr iienno Scterek was an awakening one. It roused the audienco to an enthusiasm that amounted to an ovation.' Madame responded with her own delightful waltz "Tcresita," dainty, yet voluptuous in its melodic charm. Another encore was insited upon, and the exquisite, gossamer-liko "Butterfly" Etude of Chopin was given. Carreno's perfect playing of this Chopin pearl produced a very marked effect on an already workodup audience. They would not hear of her going on with the. programme, cheers and rocking feet assisted tho hands of the delighted, and once more Madame had to return and play tho Elude. Tho final numbers were a Tschaikowsky— peaceful, languorous music wrapt in the subdued velvety colours of n summer's night—tho Etudo "Am Soegesfade" of Smitana, and Paganini's transcription of Liszt's "La Companella," a tuneful composition with some amazing trilling passages at tho top of tho keyboard. It is a test piece for right-hand trilling and speed, and Madame rippled avrav as if ft were the simplest wcercise. Again the audience rose in their enthusiasmflowers and floods of applause were directed at the artist, who responded most gracefully with the Tausig-Schubert "Marchp Militaire," made familiar here by Mark Hambourg. Those privileged to be present at Carreno's concert on Saturday evening will not readily fo.-pet the occasion. Wellington audiences have n reputation for coldness—Carreno caressed them with her art until they thawed completely.