MISS BUCKMAN'S CONCERT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1475, 25 June 1912, Page 9

MISS BUCKMAN'S CONCERT.

A FAREWELL TRIBUTE. j A largo and ciitiiusiastic audience attended thp. complimentary concert tend-1 ei'ed to Miss Kosina Buekman on the eve of her departure for England'at (lie Town Hall last evening. It was a fine concert of the popular order, and there was merit in every item on the long and comprehensive programme. Miss Buckiv.au, who was m magnificent voice, fully justified all the nice things which havo bsen said about her. .She has a brilliant soprano voice of unusual range, break- j less and musical throughout, with a topi register of thrilling power and .sweetness. At the back of it all is a warm temperament and a high degree of intelligence which illuminates her work in every department. Her opening number was the charming and melodious aria, "One Finn Day," from the second act of Puccini's opera, "Madame Butterfly," a graceful and flowing melody embodying tlio pretty love theino which pervades the opera. Miss Buckman sang tlio number most artistically and with a great deal of feeling. As an encore, she ' siuig "Tho Cuckoo" delightfully. It was, howsvei, in "Lo Charmant Oiseau," from David's opera, "The Pearl of 8ra7.i1," that tin. singer's vocal powers were tested most severely. The number, fast sung in \YcllingtOn by Madam© Calve, is one of tho finest arias' in tho entire range of grand opera, and _it teems with difficulties, cadenzas, pizzicato passages, and trills which _ echo tho llitte (which provides charming obbligatc), and never once was the singer at fault. Her flawless .voic6 rose to tho demand, pure, strong, and confident at all times, culminating on a sustained E natural (in alt.). Miss Buckman was accorded a positive ovation, and had to sing tho last part again. Anothei number which caught the fancy of tho big audience at once was Alfred Hill's new song, "AVaiata Maori," a dramatic vocal incursion into Maori lore, in which tho fiery warlike passions of the old Maori aro cleverly woven with his tenderness and romance. The song, which carries with it an invisible quartet, "was sung with admirable spirit, and tho softer passages were graced by rare sympathy. 111 response to an encore the entire number was repeated. Miss Buckman also sang a pretty song by Miss Medley, "Buy My English Posies," Parker's "Tl'ie Moorish Maid," and finally gave a very beautiful interpretation of Tosti's well-worn ballad "Good-bye." It should bo mentioned that Signor Truda played the obbligato to "Le Charmant Oiseau" excellently. Mrs. Nellio Fieldhouse, the possessor of a cultured contralto voice of good quality, was slightly over-weighted in "Divinities du Styx," but was finite charming in tlio ballad she sang as an oncore, and later endorsed tho good opinion formed of her in Sanderson's song "Dear Soul." , Tlio "Wellington Liejlortafol, who turned out in good strength, sang with pleasing offcct "Tho Imago of tho Rose" (Reichardl), with the tenor solo by Mr. Jas. Searle, "The Buglo Song" (Buclc), and tho familiar old English song, "Drink to Me Only With Tliine Eyes" with an effective humming accompaniment. Mr. Robert Parker conducted efficiently. Mr. J. M. Clark appealed strongly to "the audienco in tlio famous St. Crispin spcech from "Henry V" and .struck the right note in the quaint American, verse "Jest Plain Dog." Mr. D. V. Lillicrap sang Pinsuti's "Last Watch," and Mr. Borneo Oavdiner whistled with sweet, facility "U Bacio," and •"The Mocking Bird," finding great favour with .the audience. Miss Muriel Bennett sang Mallinson's charming song "Snowflakes." and "The Magic Month of May" (Newton) in' a manner which promises well for her future. As an organ solo Mr. Horace Hunt played the Prelude to Act 111 of "Lohengrin" with character and precision, and Mr. E. .J. Hill sang "My Queen." Mr. D. J. Kenny contributed valuably as accompanist. Mrs. C'achniflille accompanied Mrs. Fieldhouse.

It is satisfactory to know that as the result of the concert there will be a substantial amount to hand over to Miss Buckman.