A GREAT TENOR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1336, 13 January 1912, Page 6

A GREAT TENOR.

THE M'CORMACK CONCERT, Those who lmd the good fortune to all. tend -Mr. John M.'Cormack's concert at tho Town Hall last evening hoard tho finest lyric tenor singer who has yet visit> ed New Zealand. Mr. M'Coruiack is at tho height of his fame in London, ho ia young—only 30—and had it not been for the iortunate circumstance that ho hap-, peiied to visit Australia with the Melba Grand Opera Company, ami found him-' self with a lew days to spare when that company's brilliant season concluded, it is curtain that tho Wellington public would havo had to defer for several years tho privilege enjoyed by those who .were able to get into tho Town Hall last evening. It was quite evident that tho singer's reputation had preceded him, for hundreds of disappointed people were turned away. Mr. M'Cormacka singing is altogether delightful to listen, to. Ha is not a showy singer. His voice is of. a peculiarly' dclicato quality, in "piano" singing reminding ono of tho exquisite velvety"tonn of a classic violin—an Amato, for choice—clear and ringing in forte passages, and wonderfully expressive; a voica of surpassing quality for ballad singing, and justly celebrated in that. respect. Temperamentally, Mr. M'Cormack is possibly just short of being a great opcratio tenor, which is not to say that ho is not a vory fine exponent of that art, but simply to 6ii[jgest that tho dramatic enorgy within linn burns rather with a languorous ilamo than with a fierco blazo. His predilection for. simple ballads indicates that ho hai recognised where lies his strength. . His first programme number Last evening was the lender aria, "Che Gelida Manina" ('.'Thy Tiny Hands aro irozen ), from Puccini's 1 "La Bohcme," a selection—sung •in Italian —from grand opera which was exactly suited to his temperament, and afforded a oomprchcnsivo display of the quality of his voice, lie was instantly successful, and added, as an enpore number, Clutsam's delighti ~, ra " Then ho 6ang M;irshall s well-known ballad "I near You. Calling lie," and to the rapturous delight of his audience, the Irish ballad "Molly Bawii" (an encore item). H« was recalled again and again, and finally added Verdi's "La Donna U Mobile." His next item was a bracket—"A Lagan Lov« Song," an ancient Irish ballad written COO years ago, a plaintive air, sung to an accompaniment arran(fed by Mr. Spencer Clay, tho pianist of the company ; and "Tho ■ Snowy-breasted Pearl" (Robinson). An encore was inevitable, so Gichl's "For You Alone," an attractive sons:, was added. Mr. M'Cornnack was assisted by Miss Rosina Buckmann (soprano), Mr. Alfred Knufmaim (basso), and Miss Grace Kennedy (violinist). Tho reception aoeorded Miss Buckmann was a very flattering demonstration of tho audience's appreciation of tho young New Zealander's progress in her art durihg her sojourn in Australia. As a. member of tho Melba Grand Opera Company, Miss Buckmann was a great sue--, ocss. She has immensely improved sinca her appearance as Marguerite' in "Faust," whoa Gounod's opera was sung by ' tha Wellington Musical Union somo years ago, and there was also , a distinct improvement to bo noted by comparison with her work when she appeared in "Madamo Butterfly" when Williamson'* Grand Opera Company was hero not so very long ago. Miss Buckmann is to be complimented, on ' her progress. Last evening she sang tho oelobrated "Jewel Song," from "Faust," two songs of Alfred Hill s—"Fairyland," and "Waiata Poi"— adding as encore numbers Cowen's charming "Birthday Song," and'.tho "Cuckoo" (ono of Liza Lehmann's quaint "Bird Songs"). ' ' ■ . Miss Grace Kennedy, well known -in 1 Wellington as an accomplished violinist, appeared to be a little unnerved, and ia tho Vieuxtemps. "Reverie" with which, sho opened tho programme, she did not altogether do herself justice. In D'Arnbrosio's "Romance," and Drdlas "Serenade," she was quito enjoyable. In Mr. Alfred Kaufmaiin the audienoa was introduced to a basso of considerable parts. . Good bassos these days arc get. ting to be as rare as silver-toned tenors —but that, by tho way. Mr. Kaufmann has what one might term a "big" voice, requiring tho discipline of a thorough artist —as is its owner —to control it. It is of rich quality in tone, and very expressive. Mr. Kaufmann was immediately a favourite with his audience, and was especially applauded for his encore item,' "Tho Yeoman's Wedding Song," which' followed a most artistic interpretation of Verdi's "0 tu Palermo," a "romanza" from the "Sicilian Vespers." He also sang Carroll's "Rip Van Winkle," a very fine song, which shauld certainly receive tho attention of our local amateurs, and added .that favourito of all bassos of . the _ "profundus" species, "Drinking, Drinking, Drinking." Tho programme was further enriched by a duet by Messrs. M'Cormack and Kaufmann, who sang Verdi's "La Forza del Destino" (which had to Ix 3 repeated), and by the singing of tho great trio from, "Faust," by Miss B'lekmann, Mr. M'Cormack, and Mr, Kaufmann, an item'which created a remarkable outburst of en-' thusiasm in the audience. It was ono of tho gems of tho whole collection. The accompaniments were tastefully played by Mr. Spencer Clay. General regret has been expressed that Mr. M'Cormack's talented company will bo unabla to give a second concert in Wellington. Their time-table of dates, however, niakca it impossible lor this to bo arranged. - Among those present at tho conoert wcro his Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington), and' Sir Joseph and Lady Ward.