OPERATIC AND BALLAD CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 77, 24 December 1917, Page 6

OPERATIC AND BALLAD CONCERT

A DISTINCT SUCCESS. Considering the execrable r-ate cf the weather on Saturday evening, tho audience at the operatic and ballad cciiccrt, given in the Concert Chamber, was excellent. Those who did have the temerity to venture out ia the drenching rain were rewarded with a concert ol a quality quite-unusual in these times. The participants were Madame Elsie Davies (of Aiellxmrce); jVfiss ilina Caidow, and Mr. Ernest Diake, three of tlie soloists in the recent perloruiuuoo of "The Messiah." 1 Oratorio is not for all. That was noticed in the ease of Madame Davies, who on Saturday gave the audience ft taste of her hue quality as a dramatio sopiano in grand opora. Madame'a first number was the suicido aria from l'oi.'chiclii'B opera "La Giaoonda,' an ouere hardly known in New Zealand, though performed quite recently 'ia Australia by the Gouzalos (!ompany« Tiio aria is a very beautiful one, 'fialU in:{ for intense dramatic expression, and a voice of exceptional range* Madame Davies, laccing perhaps the necessary abandon, gave a :>ound reading of the number ,_ and giving vitality, to the composer's intention by expressive gesture. It was, however, in tha lighter and more amusing song "Una Voce Poco Fa," from Rossini's "Barber of Seville," with airy laughing raillery; that Madame iJavies scored a nrore decided success, displaying a vocal charm aud piquance that ivjts delight! uL As an encore she sang/with entertaining aichness "Love Has liyes." .''he oilier d'eourve of tho evening was tho vonr admirable singing of 'the "Miserere"duet from "II Travatore" by Madama Davies and Mr. Ernest Drake. Both artists were in fine form, and the result was one of the best interpretations of the popular duet heard here for a lo'ig timu. The voicos blended admirably, both had enough drama tio tang" to give true meaning to the fateful soeno the duet represents. .So hearty was the applause that the number had to be repeated. Miss Mina Caldow, who was in good voioo, sang with fervent sincerity and tasteful finish "0 Ma Lyre Immortelle" _ (Gouno'.l), and, when recalled by insistent applause, sanf "Tho Blind Ploughman" with uplifting expression. Her choice of songs in the second part was delectabb They included Homer's "Requiem'' (a fine song by the popular American song writer). "0 Thank Mo Not'' (Mallinson), and that Uiautifui aria "Softly Awakes My Heart,'' whioh Delilah sings in the subduing of Samson. in Saint-Saens'f "Samson and Delilah," a number whioh Miss Caldow's splendid contralto was Veard to fino advantage in. That Mr. Ernest Drake's vibrant tenor has more dramatic fibre in it than was at first recognised was proved by the exceptionally forceful dolineation of 'Vosti la Gulbba," the emotional tenor aria from Leoncavalla's opera "I Paglixicci ( " and the passion and grief with which he coloured bis rendition was a >urpn£9 even to his wannest admirers. As an enoore he declaimed "Tho Minstrel Soy" in ringing fashion. _He was also heard to advantage in "Com» In ia the Garden, Maud." 'A Farewell'' (Liddle), and in the oft-repeated "Barcarolle' from Offenbaoh's Tales of Hoffman." Madame Davies's contributions to the second part were "Irmelin Rose," n charming Swedißh song by Petersen-Berger, "» ill o tho Wisp" (Spross), and "Vieni" (Den«a). Mrs. Audrey Johnston was a helpful aoocmpanist. i