MR. HARRY DEARTH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 25, 24 October 1919, Page 7

MR. HARRY DEARTH

ENTHUSES A LARGE AUDIENCE,

Wellington i« waking up to the knowledge that in Mr. Harry Dearth is a peerless singer of. ballads. Last evening tile Concert Chamber was tilled by an , audience which readily succumbed to the spell ol the art of the London baritone, and it was not until ho had sung three times as many songs, as he was Diagrammed for that there iyas evinced any kind of satisfaction. Mr. Dearth is one of those rare singers who is capablo of investing each song with an atmosphere and individuality of its own, and whether the mood be tragic, dramatic, romantic,-comic, or pathetic, it is. painted in the truest colours, slammed "home by the magnetism and searching temperament of (lie man behind it. His first number was the arin, "Woo Thou tho Snowflakc," from Sullivan's solitary grand opera, "Ivanhoe" (tho only excerpt we know in New Zealand is tho drinking song, "Ho, Jolly .Tonkin"). Still no opera ever written by the Into Sir Arthur Sullivan lacked wonder melodies; and the aria is a fine moodful dramatic number that calls for sound interpretative capacity, which Mr. Dearth has in splendid abundance. Recalled thunderously, he rollicked through "Old Barty" with a comic unction that gave rise to gurgling > laughter all over th.e house. By request ho sang as a second encore, "Tho Lowland Sea," a fine old solig with a touch of melodrama in Its composition which Mr. Dearth handled with appealing discretion. In tho second part, tho English baritono introduced the audience to two very fine Somrs by Easfhnpe Clarke. "Tho Wayfarer's Night Song" is a cool, refreshing nocturne of the stars, the grass of the meadows, the silver moon, and the breeze in the trees, all very beautifully expressed. In sharo contrast was "Tho Crown of the Year," an irresistibly liltish song, glorifying' harvest time, sung with such a swing and verve that it carried the audience completely away. If Mr. Dearth denies a rendition of those songs ho will lose friends. Tho recall numbers were "A Dindcr Courtship" (which smacks of the West Country), and that favourite, "Tho Blind Ploughman." With a humour and vitality there was no denying, ho sang "The Serjeant of the Line" (Squire), "Tommy Lad," and "Jenny's Mare" (the latter a tender little ditty embodying the Miss of p"rfec.t' understanding between man and his mate), each a perfect vignette ; in vooulism. ] Midamc Mario Power, who was in excellent voifo. the fnmiliar aria, "Ptrdn 'a Vampn." from "Tl Trnvatore." ; snirilcdlv, and with commendable clarilv of tone. Her encores w»re "Siiil of Mine" nnd "T Pnwd by Your WiuI dow." In the second part she sang I "TTnrbonr Lights,"'"My Task," and "The Liitlo Silver Ring." all in the best nt rood taste. Mr. Harold Beck ilayed P.-ckor'c "Jfimietto," an "Andante" by Popper, the "Hungarian Bhapsodie." ami "Pnnillnn," by the same composer. Mv. B-ck is a promising lad. with many virtues in his favour ( 0 which hard workwill rive vnlue. Miss Carlien .Turs nlayed Liszt's "RieoVtte Fnntnsie" quite well, and was recalled. Her accompaniments were also sound. Mr. Dearth and the ,T. and N. Tait ; Company will give another concert in tho Concert Chamber this evening and 'to-morrow evening tho baritone will ]>e heard at the Grand Opera House, when , the programme will include the prologue : from "I Pngliacei." i rr:r '