MME. CLARA BUTT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1881, 15 October 1913, Page 4

MME. CLARA BUTT.

THIRD CONCERT.

One would not imagine that Madame Clara Butt and the concert party with which she is surrounded arc an acquired musical taste, yet spell would appear to ho the case, for as tile season progresses the audiences grow in size. For tlio first time during the present vihit tho accommodation for the public in the choir galler.v had to bo thrown open to patrons, and by 8 o'clock this section of the hall was all but filled. If tho audiences continue to grow in the samo ratio as they have, been doiiig there should bo some who will bo unable to fmd scats to-morrow evening, when the final conccrt will take place. Although the enthusiasm lor the visiting singers was almost as pronounced last evening as on Saturday, the programme all round was hardly so interesting, nor was tlio performance up to tho high standard reached at the previous concert. That is not to be wondered at, perhaps, as concert artists cannot always bo expected to be. exactly at their very best, and tho reasonable do not expect that thoy should be. Of tho artists concerned Madame Butt' shows tho least fluctuation in quality. Her wonderfully, rich, velvety voice always suggests, a reserve of great power, and no number which blib has sung, up till the' presont, has I tested her extensive range. ' For a- contralto her voico is amazingly floxible and buoyant, and every note rings with music, from those vibrant, masculine notes below the Btavo to tho almost soprano-like texture of those above. All seem to respond to tho singer's art as spontaneously as ail Aoliaii harp k> the wind. • Add to this perfection of production an inipo ( i /lable enunciation and pronunciation English, German, or Italian, aiid you'have—Madame Clara , Butt. Her tour do force last evening was the great aria,' "Divinites du Styx' ■ from Gluck's opera, "Alceste,": a com- ; mandingly melodious "number' aflame with inspiration,'.which was sung with; a regal strength and exalted spirit that 1 induced stormy applause. "L'Angelus," ,■ an ,old Breton any charming in its sim-i plicity, was given a charactc-r all ita'. own by the atmosphere of drowsy piety; assumed, by the'singer. Schubort's; "Der Wanderer" was also given in the' vividly expressive manner, that stamps Madame Butt as a very fine exponent; of the best of 1 German .liedcr. Only an artist of Madame Butt's magnificent physique would attempt sucli a bracket 1 without a rest, but there was no rest \ for her. The audience clamoured i noisily for mony and wore given Chaminade's tender little song, "The Silver Ring." In her seoond bracket_ camo further delightful surprises in the way of Irish folk songs. These were "Tlio Lover's Curse," into which Madame Butt poured tho strength :of vehement passion and bold relief. "I Know My Love," tho quaintest little lilt, which was crooned nonchalantly, with an. absolutely comic absence of expression. It tickled_ tho big 'audience ,into laughing enthusiasm, and had to' bo repeated. Then followed "Tho City Child" (C. V. Stanford) and Liddie s "Abide With Me," to which Madame Butt gave fervent expression. Tho number was enhanced by cm organ obbligato, artistically played by Sir. Bernard Page. A still unsatisfied aui' dienco wore rewarded with 'a sweetlysimple rendition of that charming song, 1 "Fairy Pipers" (Brewer). With Mr. Kennerley llumford, Madame Butt, snng "The Day js Done" (Lolir), and the well-worn favourite, ■ "Tlio Key b of Heaven."

Mr. li/umford was hardly so„efTectivo last evening as wo and not all the art he possesses could disguise a lack of rosonanp«.in tone; This was not «o obvious in Grieg - aongu, "Mit Einer Prithiila Veris" &nut" Mit Einfcr "Wasserlillic," which', gracefully, hut in the "Largo Al Factotum" (from Rossini's light opera, "The Barber of Seville"), there was plenty of spirit.without .111 adequato tonal ring.. "When tho Swallows Homeward Fly'' was artistically sung as an encore. In the second part he sang "All Thro' the Night" (an old Welsh air arranged by, Somervell), "Rose of Killarney, '• "WII6II Childlier Play" (Walford Davis), ambKoiTiay's dramatic Hungarian folksong,' "Shepherd, See Thy Horse's Foaming Mane." In tho latter song tho singer's voice was hardly equal to his excellent dramatic intention. Mr. William Murdoch played with splendid artistry am interesting selection of Bralim's waltzes, the "Arietta" of Leonardo Leo, and tho vigorous "Rignudon" of Joachim Raff, and had to respond to encores. With Mr. Mowat Carter 110 plavcd a nrusiciaiily "Allegro Risoluto niovemoiit from a Suite (in D minor) by Schutt, whicli is new to Wellington. Mr.'Carter, who has had a good schooling as a violinist, was automatic and untemperamental ill Ries's fine "Romance,'! 'and Mozart a "Menuelt" was played rather perfunctorily. His .tone in Wioiuawski fi "Vals'o Caprice" was not Lnimpeach-, able. Mr Harold Craxton is an accurate accompanist, but fails to infuse his work with any . marked degree or sympathy.

THURSDAY'S CONCERT. At tho farewell concert on Thursday, Mme. Clara Butt will sing "Land of Hope and Glory; (Elgin) (with grand organ), "A Joyous Easter Hymn (old German), ' 'Tho Fairy JU'ers"-. (Brewer), tile grand aria "0 don l'atalo •, from "Don Carlos" (Verdi), and many other songs. Mr. llumford will smg somo Schumann songs,, 0 Dentil (from the five series songs) (Brahms), "How Deep the Slumber (Loewe), "Como You Mary" (Harold Craxton). "Little Red Fox" {Somerville), and othor songs. The duet will Bo tlio Night Hymn at Sea." ■ His Exco lency.. the Governor will be present with tho Ccuntcss of Liverpool, una suito. iho management have decided to reserve tlio Cs scats at 6s. . Tho day salo tickets will be available at Christeson's. Iliere\ will not bo any return season.. .