MADAME MUELLER'S CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1627, 19 December 1912, Page 6

MADAME MUELLER'S CONCERT

The'steady grind of the conscientious teacher of vocal production throughout the year counts for a good deal more than most px>ple think. It stands, to reason that all who:try to sing may not succeed, as a, certain natural gift is required as a basis, as in any. other art; and if. that is absent'all the teaching .in the: world is of'little or no avail, and teachers would do well in accepting pupils not to encourage tlose' devoid of voice altogether to attempt to learn singing.- The conscientious would do this, but there'are some, not only'in Wellington,/ who -make a practice of giving singing lessons to anyone who comes along. , - -Thie'charge cannot be , laid to .the-'door of. Madame. Mueller,..whose pupils gave a. concert at tho Concert Chamber last, evening. The .opening chorus, "From Oberoh' in lairyland (Stevens), introduced about forty fresh young voices, who sang nicely in-time and very correctly. The female voices predominated on account of 'the few tenors and basses, but apart from tonal balance, the chorus was well. sung. Cowen's chorus, "Come to Me, Gentle Sleep,'' placed appropriately at the end' of a lengthy programme, was also acceptably treated. Madame Mueller wielding -the baton. Mr. C. B. Culverhill's pleasant light bass voice was rather over-weighted, in "Prince Ivan's Song"• (Allitzen), which is a difficult song for an experienced singer. "II Bacio" (Arditi), which never dies, was nicely Sung by Mis 3 D. Jones, and Mrs. W. R. Willis displayed a tuneful contralto in a rather wearisome eopg entitled "Give Back my Heart." Miss Violet MuielJer sang with good taste Rossini's "Una ■Voce," and later gave an interesting interpretation of Alfred Hill's fine dramatic song,- "Waiata Maori" (with chorus), a number which calls for more declamatory power than, the singer had at her disposal. Miss .A. 1 , . -Jennings was perhaps the most promising of the sopranos. Though quite young, this little lady exhibited a very pure, well-produced voice, which she used artistically and with no little, temperament in Gounod's difficult song, "Sappho's FaTeweH." ; It..w ; as\T:eally,;Surprisihg 1 ; the meaning , and/feeling-, she. gave- to both! music and words.. The .best of the.male. singers wasi-lfr. CCrump, who has ail excellent light baritone .voice of vibrant quality and some sympathy.'. Mr. Crump's trouble is enunciation. Not a word he Bang could be heaTd at tho back 'of the hall, although his voice Is strong enough. to fill tliß largest hall. His production is quite good, but tho great essential noted lad not been mastered. Mr. C. Martin,, a. promising basso, selected too low a setting of Handel's "Born Amid the Rugged Wild W00d,'. , ,' and' the lowest notes wdre missing. Ho -Tather , humorously declined to attempt the final note at all. Miss Coralie Stanley, who has a good deal of vivacious charm sang Aylward's "Sweet Bird of Summer archly, but was inclined to deviate.from/true., pitch. Madame Mueller sang a florid solo entitled "My Mighty Po.yer" (V A T ov«llo) with fair success. Miss G. Watkins was colourless in Gluck's great song, "Ye Powers that Dwell Below." Mr. 11. Bishop has a serviceable baritone, and his T-eading of "Rage, Thou Mighty Storm" (Benedict), was not at all bad. He and Miss Watkins sang the duet, "Oh, that wo two Might Wander," with fair success. Mr. F. Marshall sang- "The Watchman" (Squire). "0 Lovely Peace" was sung by Miss Jennings, Messrs. Crump and Cuiverwell, and the quartet, "Profundo Basso" was contributed by Miss V. Mueller, Mrs. Willis, Messrs..., Mason - and Bishop, and Mrs. Margery Jones sang "The Month of June" acceptably. Miss E. BartJey and Mr. A. Castles were the accompanists.