MME. LILLIAN NORDICA.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1867, 29 September 1913, Page 9

MME. LILLIAN NORDICA.

6ECOND CONCERT. Estremely favourable as was,the impression created on Thursday evening by Madame Lillian Nordica and her brilliant concert party that impression was, if anything, enhanced on Saturday evening. Her great .effort on Saturday evening was tho aria from Gounod's "Queen of Sheba," one heard but rarely in these days, as tho opera is not popular. The aria is an extremely beautiful example of Gounod's classio' stylo, devoid, of any coloratura passages, but dignified and elevating ill its musical purity .'and simplicity. 'Madame was, tonally, at her best in this number (which was sung in French), singing tho musio grandly, and comporting herself with as much passion and dignity as though the gem-hung robes of the Queen of Sheba had descended upon her, Madamo, it may be noted, has not yot schooled herself to the severe

restrictions of the concert platform. In each number the diva gives some sign of her histrionic training. It, may be by ah arm suddenly iiting out in a commanding gesture, as blio throws her head back with majestio dignity; a half-turn to the audience to obtain an effect en proiilo; a swaying of the body, or the intimate bend forward, as though' to whisper some confidence, grave or gay, to the audience. These are the histrionio embellishments derived from her grand opera experiences,' which she uses with the utmost re- ' straint," and always with good tast'e. As an encore, Madame Nordica.sang "At Parting," a new setting, to familiar lyrics, very sweetly. Among the. ballads were: "Ariette" (Vidaj), "But Lately in Dance" (Arensky), and a beautiful "Serenade" by Richard Strauss. Enthusiasm ran high at the conclusion of the bracket, and Madame had to . yield to the storm of applause by singing "Years of the Spring" (Peach), and that eerie delight "Will o' th' Wisp" (Spross). One of the most attractive songa introduced by Madame was Jensen's song "By Manzanares" (sung in German), which was sung with mobile expression and. grace, in the same bracket with Schumann's "Waldesges-. prach.". Once more the applause came like a and brought with ■ it a tender song ."The Zephyr and the Rose" (Blcichmann). • With the audience Mr. Paul Dufault, a prince of concert tenors, was the coequal, star with Madame Nordica. Such a Voice embodied, in an artistoorf r the calibro ,of Mr. Dufault is not heard more than once ,in a decado. Apart from his golden .voice he lias the rare attributes of repose and'-, strength, and leach song is given exactly and perfectly at'its highest valuation. There is never any cheap straining .for an effect with •Mr. Dufault, and the calm assurance he has of the security of his artistic equipment is at once. conveyed imme- ' diately ie takes tho platform. He sang tho beautiful aria (in- French) from Ambroise Thomas's "Mignon," to which his. clear, resonant voice,lent- vibrant sympathy and profound meaning. -. The encore number was "When-Song is Sweet" (San Souci), a charming songlet, poetically interpreted. The tenor .was also" delightfully heard in Barbirolli's song "Si je pouvais Mourir," and drove tho. audience into ecstasies of enthusiasm in Robyn's very .fine love song"Answer." ' Recalled, he sang D'Hardolot's dainty little French song "Mignon." . His final bracket, included three master songs, "At The Mid-hour of Night" (Cowen), "Le''Sais; Benet), and Scott's "Tho Secrot," .all superbly treated. His encore song was "Inter Nos" (Macfayden). After four songs on end, tho audience were still unsatisfied,and, Mr, Dufaultuhadjf. to. como forward.'twice : and: bow>;his tao-' knqwJedgments 4 before the tumult ceased. -The duet- "Now ..- ; -,Thou Art Mine''. (HiddachJiisuhgby Madame JNorr dicaand-Mr. Dufault, was' hardly worthy 0f..-a-, place on the programme, and Tyad not particularly well sung. * Mr. Franklyn Holding, the gifted violinist of the company, was in excellent form, . and played : with distinction Kreisler's "Caprice Viennois," and his "Valse Liebesfreud"; as an encore he onclantcd- with the "long-drawn sweetness" of Saint Saehs's "Le Cygne." A number that commanded notice "Was the Willielmj transcription of tho Prize Song from Wagner's ■ "Meistorsingers," an impressive melody embodying the spirit of eternal song. Vociferously encored Mr. _ Holding played Drdla's "Souvenir", with delicious vivacity. The' accompaniments of Mr. Romayne Simmons were a distinct feature of the con- • cert. No better accompanist has been heard in the, Town Hall.

To-morrow night's concert is positively Mme. Nordica's last-appearance in Wellington, as on the following day the famous • singer leaves for Christohurch, where she opens her season next Saturday. 'To-morrow, ' Wellington musiclovers will have the pleasure of hearing Nordica sirig 'Wagner, as tho "Liebestod," the wonderful Death Song from "Tristan and Isolde," is inoluded in the diva's numbers. Tlio Sydney "Sun" describes Mme. Nordica's rendering of this great number by saying, "The 'Liebestod' revealed 'Mfflo. Nordica as a mighty interpreter of Wagner roles. There on the concert platform, with pianoforte accompaniment only, the artist sang' 'Isolde's Liebestod' with tear-c'ompelling effect." Another featuroof the programme will be Tosti's "Good-byo," of which tho famous singer is said to give an entiroly novel interpretation. The beautiful, aria "Celeste Aida" will be Mr. Paul Dufault'3 big item. The Canadian tenor Will also sing numerous English and French ballads. Mr.'Franklin Holding's numbers will include a medley of gipsy airs by Sarasate. ■ The plans are-at the Dresden.

A now. double platform, 500 ft long and 18ft wide, is to bo erected at the Auckland railWay station to meet the growing demands of the. increasing traffic, and to cope with-the expected rush during.the Exhibition. At the present time there aro threo platforms at the station, with, five platform fronts thus enabling five trans to bo dealt with at once. When the new platform is completed tho Department will heenabled to deal with seven trains at one timo. / The ingenuity of the small boy. in securing covoted "jo.y ridos" upon Napier's new trams is beginning to show itself (says-the "Hawke's Bay Tribune"). Tho other day a hoy and his mate decided that they would havo two_ pennyworth of enjoyment, but all available capital consisted of Id. and a rat. That does not sound like a satisfactory financial basis' for a holiday, but rats are legal tender in 1 Napier. It was, therefore, decided that tne owner of tlio penny should ride with the rat to tho destructor, while tho unfinancial member of tho party ran along behind. After selling tho rat for 3d. thoy were to "cut out" tho money-on the trams. The old axiom of help being given, to those that help themselves, was proved in. the case of tho "joy-riders." They not-only sold the rat, but in the overorowded tram they missed the conductor's oyo nnd had their ride for nothing. Probably the rat-cratching business may help to swell the tramway profits if properly fostered. MACKIE AND CO., DISTILLERS, LTD., ISLAY and GLASGOW, shippers of tho "WHITE HORSE" WHISKY-estab-lished 1742—in order to protect tho publio and let them have the old famous Whisky as they ship it, will bo obliged for. information direct or to thoir Agents of anyone suspected of tampering with the quality of tho "WHITE HORSE,»Advt., Use short words; they aro the best nnd proper kind to use." "I know," said the henpecked husband; "nnd thin words—tho kind you can. get in edgewise!" j