PETER DAWSON CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2478, 3 June 1915, Page 7

PETER DAWSON CONCERT

ENTHUSIASM AT THE .OPERA HOUSE.

Prince of baritone balladists, Mr. Peter Dawson did not merely achieve an ordinary success at the concert given in the Grand l Opera House last evening, under the auspices of the Commercial Travellers' Association. It was really a triumph. The vim and magnetism ot the man, his genial spirit, backed by his all-encompassing art and his admirable generosity, extended an inlluenco to the hearts and minds of all present and the result was "a feast of melody and a now of soul" that spelt enthusiasm. It was a rare treat to simply sit back and take jov in iihe broad art'of a singer m whom there is no fault. Hi.'ht well did Mr. Dawson merit the cheers given him at the conclusion of the concert. It is not necessary to expatiate o» the man.v graces with whicli ho embellished each of ihe/liiany songs but Mr. Dawson's power of uplift and'ability to mould his tono at will, gave each song a distinct individuality, and its full value. Lucky the composer who succeeds in getting Mr. Dawson as an expositor. He commenced tlis programme with Mendelssohn's rollicking buffo song, "I'm a Boamer," and at once made an impression. His other songs were "Inviotus" (Huhn), "The Blind Plowman" (C. Cla,-ke), "Droop Not, Young Lover" (Handel), a Maori version of the chorus of "Tipperarv " "Waiata Poi" (Hill), "The Two Grenadiers" (Schumann), "Mandalay" (Hitchcock)> Song_ of the Wooden-legged Fiddler," "Little Grey Home in the West," "Simon the Cellarer," "The Veteran's Song," "Up from Somerset," "The Blue Dragoons," "The Floral Dance," and "Where the Mountains of Mourne Sweep Down to the Sea." Mr. Dawson was assisted by Miss Annetta George (soprano), Miss Carlien Jurs (pianist), and Miss Grace Newman (violinist).

Interest was lent to the evening by two auction sales in aid of the Travellers' Quoen Fond. The first of these was a pair of red, white, and blue socks, knitted by Mr. Dawson whilst on tour. So striking wero the colours that Mr. Dawson himself admitted that "they spoke for themselves." Mr. A. Jacobs acted as auctioneer, and the result was the satisfactory amount of £36 155., the final purchaser being Mr. Mitchell, who contributed £7 in all to the total, whilst Mrs. Mitchell had contributed £3 15s. The 6ecoud lot offered was a very beautiful decorated basket of sweet peas grown in the open on tlio hills of Belmont. These wero finally knocked down to Mr. F. W. Manton for £6 10s., though tliey actually cost him £9. Mr. Manton, through Miss Jacobs (sister of the auctioneer), gracefully presented the basket to the Countess of Liverpool, who was present with a party from Government House Tlio total receipts from the concert amounted to £153 13s. 6d.