CONCERT AND DANCE RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 205, 18 May 1918, Page 9

CONCERT AND DANCE RECITAL

A DELECTABLE ENTERTAINMENT

If tho Baby Competition were doing nothing else in Wellington, it is the means of supplying somo very enjoyablo entertainments. Tho Press iiaby Comnuttce, which has been very active in this regard, added to their achievements as showmen by arranging what proved to bo a delightful composite entertainment consisting of a concert equal to anything of tho kind given in Wellington for years and a clever exposition of graceful dancing by the gifted pupils of Miss Gladys Campboll. It is gratifying to know that every porformor concerned gave his or her services patriotically, which moans that the Rod Cross and Red Jersey funds will benefit substantially. As a proludo to the concert a compact orchestra under tho direction of Mr. 11. Jloschini played a lively overture. Mr. Herbert L. Wood, who has a sweetly sympathetic tenor and ingratiating platform manner, sang tho "Drinking Song" from "Tho Roso of Persia" (Sullivan) withj verve and understanding, and was promptly encored, when ho sang a now and melodious song, "Tho Red Dawn, ' Lator ho gavo spirited expression to that popular number from "The Gondoliors," "Take a Pafr of Sparkling Eyes," and, insistently iccallcd, sang "1 Like You in Velvet" (from "Tho Three Littlo Maids"). Mr; Wood and Miss Teresa Jl'Enroo 6ang with raro fooling tho "Miserero" duet from "11 Trocalore," th'oir highly artistic readiug of tlio woll-knowji number creating something akin to a furoro of approval, and an encoro had to bo conecdcd. Jliss JlinA Cnldow is probably tho most cultured and purposeful singer before tho public of New Zealand. Last evening sho infused tho finest feeling and intensity into her singing of tho aria, "Softly Awakes My Heart" (from Saint Saons's "Samson and Delilah"). It was an appeal to tho intellect as well as tho ear, and tho response was ono of 6Lncoro enthusiasm. ltccalled, Miss Caldow saug "Happy Song," and a still unsatisfied midienco asked for more. So "Inter .\os" was sung with a dramatic fervour and lino conviction which induced further acclamation. It is always a p.leasnro to hear Miss Torosa M'Enroe. llcr voico is always musical, always strictly true to pitch, and her methods aro sure. Last evening sho sang with exquisite tenderness and simplicity tho melodious "Cradle Song" of Fritz Kreislor (an adaptation of tho composer's "Caprice Vionnoise" for tho violin). Tho audience liked tho song and tho way it was sung, so Jliss Jl'Enroo had to sing "Will 0' tho Wisp" (Spross), a song that was introduced to Wellington by Nordica. Jlr. Len Barnes's vigorous stylo and robust baritone found ideal expression in "Jlephistopheles's Seronado" from Berlioz's "Damnation of Faust," and "To Authea," sung as cncoro, was finely declamed. He alsio snng, with raro abandon, "Don Juan's Soronade," a splondid song by Tschaikowsky, and followed tho onsuiug applause with "Roquiem," tho song composed on the splendid lines which Robert Louis Stephenson wroto to be graven 011 his own tombstone at Vailima. 11l a lighter vein Miss Nola Haybittlo mado a distinct hit in tho soldier lilt, "Good-Byee," and doubly oncored, sang a clover topical verse on the song, and also gave demur© poult to "Man, Man, Jlan." Jlr. B. O'Connor, a recruit to tho local concert platform, showed promiso in "Invictus" (Bruno Hulin), and Mr. Jlartin Duff's singularly puro and well-tutored tenor was heard to advantage in "A Vision" and "I Hoar You Calling Mo." A welcome break in tho vocal numbers was provided by Jlr. Frank Johnstone, who played with rare feeling tho "Meditation" from Massenet's "Thais." On being reoallcd lie played a vigorous "Minuetto," bv Befik«r, Mr. Haro'/i Whittle's artistic accompaniments were an outstandjng fcaturo of tho concert. In tho dancing divertissement, Miss Campbell's pupils wero delightful. A dozen charming little girls, danced tho Huntsmen's and Spinners' Dance front "Tho Magic Carpet." The same work was also drawn upon for tho pretty Water Nymphs' Ballet, and "Lo Printcmps," in which a quintet of stately girls posed very beautifully between iiio dance movements. Littlo Nancy Cook fluttered round in big wings as "Lo Papillon," but tho prettiest natural datiper was labelled N. Phipson. Her "Danco Gaiete" was quito one of tho goms of tho recital. Tiny Hazel llardwick executed a rather weird Russian dance, and Miss J. Couzens figured in tho solo, "Danso des Flours." "Les Jfyosotis," in which four tiny tots danced prettily with Japanese umbrellas, was a popular item, and Jliss Francis Jlutor danced as "Pierrette" This section of the programme was a complete success, for which credit is due to Miss Campbell. Tho music fur tho dancing was played by Jfr. and Mrs. Frank Johnstono and Jlr. A. P. Truda.