PAUL DUFAULT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2794, 12 June 1916, Page 3

PAUL DUFAULT

— 4- : ' A DELIGHTFUL CONCERT

It is on very rare occasions inrt(id ill Wellington that a concert artist is able t. thicw an audience into Hicli transports of sheer delight and admiration as was witnessed at tho Grand Opera House on Saturday evening, when Mr., Paul Dufault, the French-Cauadiaii tenor, made his reappearance after an absence of two years. Wo have frankly made our obeisance to the superb art of Mr. Dufault on previous occasions, and have hailed him as the finest interprotivo tenor heard here for a quarter of a century. Indeed, it is doubtful if tho country has ever been- visited by so complete aji artist, given in that there may have been finer voices. Mr. Dufault's strong, grave personality, allied to his deep intellectuality and fine technical equipment, enables him to convey a sense of exaltation to any song he sings. He approaches each number vested in the spirit of its mood, no matter what that mood may be, and with an impeccable diction and nicety of shading and phrasing ho at once disarms criticism and leaves only wide-eyed admiration and hungry ears. On Saturday evening, Mr. Dufault elected to make 'that sweet old Handelian song "Where'er You Walk" his opening number, sung with admirable suavity and reverence. Bracketed with this song was the aria "HowMany Hired Servants of My Father, from Sir Arthur Siillivau's almost forgotten oratorio "The Prodigal Son" (originally sung at the Worcester Festival in 1869), an' aria written on broad, simple lines, and well disposed for tonal display. The number was interpreted w ; ith all tiie devotional appeal of which Mr. Dufault is. so completely a master, and created a storm of applause that left no doubt as to the deep impression made. The tenor responded with a delightful little songlet entitled "Audacity (Enilie). More enthusiasm was only appeased by another song, this time "Obstination'"' (Fortenaiiles), a gem of French song made popular on Afr. Dul'aulfs last tour. On his next appearance Mr. Dufault sang "Sometimes in Summer" (Beni nett), a tender- love lyric, and followed it with the splendid narrative song "Au I'ays" (Holmes), a vocal scena which displays Mr. Dufaulfs fine sense of dramatic values. It describes tho return of a French soldier at the head of his regiment to his native village, after being away at tho war, only to find that his fiancee, hearing that he had been killed, has married another. The joy of tho soldier at reaohing his liome and sweetheart, the staggering blow he receives, and finally his cry of "Battle!" "Battle!" as he orders the. regiments to right-about and inarch back to the front once more, is tellingly worked out in march time in the form of the advance and retreat of a patrol. The picture Mr. Dufault drew was absolutely convincing, and induced a.furore of applause, lu tho he included "If You Would I.ove Me" (M'Dermid), and as encores the lively French lilt "Vivandiere," and the quaint Scotch song "Carrie," each sung with equal charm of manner. The last bracket included tho old English song "Have You Seen, ii Whyte Lillie Grow-?" an exquisitelyturned compliment to ."My Ladya Faire," sung with rare grace, "Bluets d'Amour" (Posard), . a gay little songlet bursting with the joy of spring-time, ■ and tho tragio "How's My Boy?" (Homer), the outcry of a mother whose boy has been lost at sea, a number in which Mr. Default plumbed tbe. deptb of dramatic emotionalism in song in a remarkable manner. ' The effort roused tho audience to cheers, and in return for the ovationit was nothing less—the tenor fired the oudienco wiMi bis dramatic singing .of "The Marseillaise," the blood of the French that is in him blazing in tho wonderful old battle song. Mr. Dufault was also associated with Miss Pauline Bindley in the charming duets, "The Passage Bird's Farewell" (Hildach) and the gay "Trip, Trip, Trip" (Marziales). The artist is soundly supported. Miss Bindley, who was 'here with Mr. Dufault two years ago, has broadened in hor work, and her bright-toned soprano has become freer, with that touch of abandon she, has acquired in her interpretive work. She sang the "Ernaui" (Verdi) aria very well'indeed, but it is in ballads that the Bendigo singer excels. Her song of "Red Roses" was beautifully handled, and her second nosegay of song, consisting of "Down in the Forest" (Ronald), "Yesterday and To-day" (Spross), and that delightful tinkle "Fairy Pipers" (Brewer) were charmingly sung. As an encore she sang "If. No One Ever Marries Me" with equal vivacity and sweetness. Miss Florence Scapini, of Christchurch, the violinist of tho company, shows remarkable promise. Her mediumpowered tone has an appealing sweetness, whilst her technical agility and certitude were clearly and cleaiily demonstrated in her sound double-stopping, the clarity of her harmonics, and her dexterous fingering.. She played the popu r lar "Tambourin Chinois" • correctly, and with spirit, the "Souvenir" of Drdla, "Joys of Love," by Kreisler, and as an enoore "Schorn Ros Marin,"-also by tho Austrian virtuoso. In the second part she played the melodious finale from Lalo's "Spanish 'Symphony" beautifully, and in response showed, her skill in. livelier music in the "Obertass" of Wieniawski.

llr. Harold Whittle accompanied faultlessly, and was a valuable factor in tho success of the concert.

1 So great was the enthusiasm at the conclusion, of the concert that many of the audience waited behind-to see Mr. Dufault leave the theatre, and when he did so, Rave him three cheers, as a goodnight salutation. .

THE SECOND CONCERT. The second concert will lake place tonight. Mr. Dufault will introduce three new songs, which , have already met with great success. They are "Bird of Love Divine," '"Lorraine," and "0 Little Mother of Mine," by Nevin, the composer of "The Rosary." He • will also sing the Prayer from the opera of 'TLe Cid." A feature of to-night's programme will bo a new song of a strongly dramatic order, entitled "Keveille," a call to battle. Miss. Bindley, and Mr. Dufault will sing the beautiful duet, "I Pardon Thee," from'"Borneo and Juliet." Owing to the heavy advance booking, an extra concert will be given. .011 Thursday night, tho plan'for which will open this morning at the Bristol. Tho day. sales are at the Grand Opera Sweet Shop.