THE COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 311, 25 September 1920, Page 9

THE COMPETITIONS

OPERATIC SOLOS DISAPPOINTING

ONE-ACT COMEDIETTA STAGED

Uniformly large audiences attended ®acu session of the Wellington Competitions at the Grand Opera House Yesterday the evening session being Particularly wen patronised. Generally, the standard maintained by performers in every class was 'high. The feature of the evening session was -without a doubt Miss Florence Churchill's rendering of Ella Wheeler Wilcox's _ poem "I Don't Care." Miss Churchill infused understanding ■?? . dopth feeling into the recitation that would seldom bo equalled on the professional stage. It was unfortunate that the singers in the men's operatic contest did not attempt easier selections. The aria "Arioso" (Paglißcci), -attempted by one performer, is recognised ns one of the most difficult of operatic solos, as also is "Abenstoin" from the Wagnerian operas, sung by another competitor. This fact was commented on by the judge (Mr. Harold Gregson), who awarded only a second prize in the contest. Long-drawn-out and tedious, excepting a vein of humour which flagged as the finish drew near, was tho comedietta, "A Domestio Episode," and the competitors would would hare been well advised to leave sut some of the -unnecessary interludes. Otherwise, the acting was fair, Miss Alexa Elton (the leading . flady), Mies Burt (tho low comedicnne), and Mr. Lionel Inch giving commendable portrayals of roles that were, to say the least, exacting. The little tale told was of a wealthy young couple who possessed the laudable idea of entertaining their servants to the theatre. The results, however, of this kind act proved quite contrary to expectations. Results. The results ot the day were:— . Piano Solo, reading at eight, selected test—Final: Miss Thelma Gallaglior (Auckland), 125 points, 1; Miss Berta Zollar (Wellington), 121 points, 2; Miss Audrey Butter (Wellington), 119 points, 3. English Song, ladies (own selection)— Recalls: Miss Phyllis Massey (Wellington), "Arrow and Song"; Miss Marjorie Clarke (Wellington), "She Wandered Down"; Mts. W. J. Coventry (Wellington), "Sands of Dee."

Final.—Miss Clarke, 142 points, 1; Mrs. Coventry, 140 points, 2; Miss Massey, 135 points, 3.

Highland Fling-, in costume, boy or girl, under 12—Section A, under 10: Recalls—Miss Qladys Needham (Wellington), Miss Alva M'lntosh (Hokitika). '• Final—Gladys Needham, 58 points, 1; Alva M'lntosh, 57 points, 2. Special mention—lrene Morso (Newtown), Agnes Menzies (Wellington), Zelma Carroll (Wellington), and the four-years-old Billie Murphy (Wellington).' Section B, under 12-Recalls: Misb Edna Vear (Wellington), Master Bonald Broun (Wellington), Miss Jean M'Lachlan (Wellington). Final—Jean M"Laotian, C 7 points, 1; Ronald Brown, 60 points, 2; Edna Tear, 65 points, 3. Special mention—Lorna MTuy (Ngaio), Nancy Bisset (Wellington), and M. Cummins (Wellington). _ Operatic Solo, gentlemen, open classRecalls: Mr. Percival Martin (Newtown), '"Arioso" (Pagliacci); Mr. Albert L. Pio kett, Brooklyn "Star of Eve" (TannhauBer). Final—Second prize: Mr. Pickett, ,128 points. No first prize was awarded. Humorous Recitation, .boy or girl, under 12—Section A, under 10: Recalls— Lawrence Searle (Wellington), "The Railway Porter"; Miss Gwcn Dalton (Napier), "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Special mention—Geo. tower (Wellington) and Stella Chapman (Christchurch). Final—Not yet awarded. Section B—Recalls: Miss Sinclair Bi'een (Wellington), "An Unfortunate Child"; Miss Fay Smith (Wellington), "Sister Caroline's Elocution." Final—Not yet awarded. Action, Recitation, boy or girl,. 12 and under 16—Final: Kathleen O'Brien (Newtown), "Patchwork Philosophy," 188 points. 1: Ngairo Phipson (Wellington), "An Old-Fashioned Way," 181 points, 2; Juanita Manhitj ■(Chrifetchnrch), "Ophelia," 180 points, 8. Special prize (Mr. Warwick), Mary Cooley (Wellington)., "Little Quaker Sinner." Piano Solo—Lerelei (Seeling, Op. 2)— Filial: R, Sneddon, 150 points, !; M. Picchi (Wellington), 116 points, 2; G. M. Wing (Island Bay), 143 points, 3. Recitation, boys, 12-16, "Union Jack"— Final: Knox, 1; D. Edwards, 2; Hudson. 8. ■- , Comedietta, "A Domestic Episode"— Misses Elton, Alpted, G. Burt, Nicholas, Sheldon, and M. Burt, Messrs. B. Ginger, and L. Inch. Final: Not yet awarded. Recitation (ladies), "I Don't Care"— Final: Miss Florence Churchill, 1; Miss Madge Shearer, 2; Miss Alexa Elton, 3. Humorous Recitation (ladies), open class, own selection—Miss E. Aitcneson, 1; Mrs. Brown, 2; Miss Madge Lyon, 8. The competitions will be continued today and this evening, when good items are promised.