MISS GERTRUDE JOHNSON

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 259, 27 July 1920, Page 6

MISS GERTRUDE JOHNSON

■ c CHARMING SINGER MAKES A GOOD 'IMPRESSION, Mlbb Gertrude Johnson, tho Australian soprano, who made so favourable an lmgression here with the Williamson Grand pera. Company a few months a to, reappeared in concert at tho Town Hall last evening, and was given a full-handed reception by a large audience. Tho new Binder is blessed -with a supple, easilyproduced, and very musical hric sr-irano, elastic over an citSnilvo range, cud even In tono throughout the registers. Added to these qualities are -ulmirable breath control and an intellectual batkwround. Her style is perhaps a trifle theatrical, and at times one 1b conscious of a tendency to /exaggerate exprcßslin, more in manner than in voice, but in this tho sum of, her short,comings is told. Miss Johnson exhibited her vocal finish to a fine point in the mad scene from "Lucia ■dl Lammermoor," considered a test piece for lyrlo sopranos in opera, and came through with Hying colours. Her trills in the concluding periods were In perfect harmony with the flute, and there was no note.that did not receive its tuil vi.lue. Tho singer received an -vation, and, in responso, returned to sin? with euual verve and sweetness that florid number, "Lo, Hear the Gentle Ijark," in which voice and flute were again happily asen. ciated. Another number of extreme beauty, with some dramatic purpose, was "Tho Lorelv" of Liszt, which tells of the luro of the siren who sings unhappymortals to their death. Miss Johnson gave full play to her vivid temperament in this number, and scored a di&tlnet triumph. Her encores were ."Down in the Forest" (Landon Ronald), which she treated with rare delicacy, and Liza Lehmann's liltisli "Swine Song," which so prettily suggests the -undulations of the swine. Other contributions were Dvorak's "Songs My Mother Taught Me,' Grieg's "Solveig'B Song" (the yodelling passage In which was intoned with gossamer lightness and polish), and Arno's "The Lass With the Delicate Air,' also charmingly interpreted. Associated with Misi Johnson was Mr. Horace Hunt, formerly of Wellington, and late of Ruhleben,' who received a very warm welcome from the big- audienco. Mr. Hunt Bhowcd a deepened art and pianietic facility in tho Adagio from "Tho Wanderer" fantasy of Schubert, made familiar bv tho sonn- of tho same name. This number, iihich tells a story drear and wild, wai hugely appreciated. A very beautiful "Nocturne" by Lißit wsb also finely Intoned, and tho encore produced Chopin's "£ti dy in F.' .An "Improvisation" by MacDowall was a mere triflo, but tho same composer's "Polonaise" was quite another matter. This ii a fine florid work, rich In surprises, and vividly-coloured thioughout. Mr. Hunt plavcd it '"ell. The encore waß a remarkable study for the left hand by Seriablno. bo written that when . played well, one would, without' tho manifestation of one's eyes, pronounce both hands to be in action. In . the icccnd part Mr. Hunt played Chopin's showy "Scherzo in B Flat Minor," and for an encore'the "Minstrels" of Debussy, a passing impression of a negro minstrel ebow, quaintly grotesque, vet embodying an oral thought. _ Another delightful performer was Miss Ava Symons, whoso violin bolob were extremely welcome. With her intuitive Bympathy she imcßted Mischa Elmau's "Canto Amorosa" with much simple charm, and showod her technical command nicely in Wieniawski's "Obertaßß." .In the second half of the programme Miss Symons played very sweetly a melody entitled "A Londonderry Air" (O'Connor-Morris), and as an encore ttio "Oanzonetta" of Ambroßlo. Mr. Oharles Russell, an able flautist, played the "Scherzo Caprlecio" of Subatil, Ed. German's "Gypsy Hevels," add wub : facile and true to pitch in his obbllgatOß to Miss Johnson's final bracket of songs. Mr. Erie Waters played tho accompaniments Bkilfully, but at times was inclined to underrate the power of the Steinway grend, • This evening Miss Johnson will simr that beautiful aria; "Charmant Oiecau" (David) from "The Pearl of Brazil," "Gara Nona'e" from Vordi's ."Elgolctito," <i>.iid Had-rn'B "With Verdure Clad," Mr. Huntwill play Chopin's "Ballade in Q Minor" and hiß "Prelude in F Sharp Minor," and a Grelg "Nocturne," and Miss Ava Symons Is to play Krelsler's "Liebsfreud" and Wieniawski's "Legende." A third concert will be given to-morrow evening.