ANTONIA DOLORES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 155, 26 March 1919, Page 3

ANTONIA DOLORES

FAREWELL SEASON IN WELLINGTON The farewell visit of Mdile. Anfonia Dolores lo Welliugton is a musical event of considerable inieicst. More years than some people care to remember nave elapsed since this-French singer first charmed New Zealand audiences. Tor thousands of lovers of music in Ihe Dominion the name uf Dolores is associated with the recollection of concerts that came as near as may be lo beinghours of unalloyed pleasure. The Dominion has been visited by singers who hud higher vocal capacity than iidlle. Dolores possessed even in years when her voice had its purity and .strength quite untouched bv the gentle hand of Time, but Dolores hr«s always (possessed in rich measuro what really is ihe greatest gift of all—tho ability to send her music into the hearts of her audiences. Her sympathies have never narrowed. Her art is very beautiful, and it 19 that beauty that has won tor her so much affectionate regard. She has made her [ appeal not merelv to the musically educated, who can be pleased by the formally correct interpretation of classical compositions, but also to the musically uneducated, who must be reached by the simple appeal to their emotions. Her achievement has been to smg for the people, and because she has done that with rare understanding and unfailing charm sho will be remembered as the sweetest singer that many New Zealand folk have known. Mdlle. Dolores gave the first concert of her brief farewell eeason in the Grand Opera House last night. She had a very friendly, though not over large, audience, and her programme, selected from her exceedingly wide and varied store of musical knowledge, was suited to most tastes. Sho sang first six brackoted numbers, o d French songs dating from the I.lth, 13th, and lfith centuries. They were the "Chant des Croiscs" (Jerusalem Mirabilis), composed about the year 1095; "Quand -li Roussignol .Toli" (Chat do Coucy, about 1200); "Robin m'aime (Adam de la Heale, 1255); "Plus ne suit ce que j'.ii e.te" (Clement Marot. 1533)-, "Douce Dame Joli" (Guillaumo de Machault, 1350); and "La Romancsca" (anonymous, about 1G0O); Theso songs. v ranging from the devotional to the gay, were" interesting examples of ancient music, and they were excellently inter- | preted by the. singer. The recitative Guinse Alfin," from "Le Nozze de Figaro," and tho aria "Deh Yieni" (Mozart) were the most serious selections on tho programme. Mdlle. Dolores's interpretation was not without' blemish, but it was full of charm.. As an,, encore number she sane the vigorous "Away to the Mountain Brow" (Alexander Lee). Three K.ubinstein songs, "The Tear," "The Lark," and "A Persian Love Song" came in a bracket. The first, which swells to a rich finish, was particularly pleasing. The encore number was "Home, Sweet Home," without which a Dolores, concert would scarcely be complete. The Waltz Song from "Romeo and Juliette" (Gounod) was followed by an Irish folk song by Foote, and in conclusion the singer delighted tho audience with her own arch and melodious. interpretations of "Comin' Thro' the Rye" and "Love Was Once a Little Boy."

Mdlle. Dolores was supported by Mr. John Prouse, who sang in his usual vigorous and effective style. His pro-' gramme numbers were "0 Ship that Sfiilest" (Coleridge-Taylor). "Mornins Hymn" (Henschei). arid "Vulcan's Song," from .Gounod's "Philemon et Bancia." Tho seafaring ballad, "Tho. Queen of Connemara," was an . attractive encore number. Mr. Harold Smith, who played the accompaniments ably, contributed as a pianofore solo "An Irish Reel" (Stanford). He has a popular style which proved very much to the taste of the audience, and he was called upon for two encore numbers. He responded with light compositions. The second concert will be given tomorrow evening. Included in the items Mdlle. Dolores will sing will be "Le Violetle" (Scarlatti), "Qua! Tarfalletta (Scarlatti, "I Attempt" and "Nymphs and Shepherds" (Purcell). tho air "Divinities du Styx" (Orphee onx Enfees) by Ghtck,' "Soiveig" song and "The Swan" (Grieg). ".Tense d'Eau" (Ravel), "Dnnse Ncgre" (Cyril Scott), the recit, "Guathier Malde." and the aria "Care Nome" (from Verdi's "Rigoletto"), "Phydilc" (Dupare). and "Tes yeux bleu" (l'ierne). The assisting vocalist will again be Mr. John Prouse, while Mr. Harold Smith will also be heard in fresh solos on the piano. Seats can bo booked at the Bristol Piano Company daily, and tho day se'e tickets are on sale at Ned Perry's, tobacconist, Manners Street. The third and last concert will be given on Friday evening, when another new programme will,-be given. Concessions are allowed to students and schools for these two final concerts. ■ . '' '