A RARE CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 41, 12 November 1920, Page 3

A RARE CONCERT

AMY EVANS AND FIIASER GANGE. "The good men do lives after them." It is much the tan with,the best of concert artists. The public declines to talto them on trust, nnd expect, rather impossibly sometimes, for visiting rineers to create a now and special reputation on the spot for their delectation. Miss Amy Evans and Mr. Frnser Gauge, acknowledged artist In the Old Country, came to Wellineton and-sane superbly to gnosis- of audiences. They returned last evcnlne to sing before a linn audience, whom they enlhuned with the majesty i of their ail.. Thcr.c singer's, aro of tho elect,.and to hear-.'hem Is a gracious uplifting. Jfiss Amy Evans's bell-like Bonrano. with Its strong, vibrant, steady notes, made up of inanv Harmonic tones In one -perfect blend, was heard In the splendid declamation. 'Hear, Ye Ibracl", and "lie Not Afraid " from "Elijah." nnd simply thrilled her audience by rea. son of her neiic'tratlng power and authori. tative command. There was something grandly defiant in taiTt.vle and delivery wnich. -roused overyone, and an ovation was recoMed. with floral.lrlmmmss. Softer flute-lihe tones were used in the pure enntahile style'in the encore. "Aurols Ever Bright and Fair," very beautifully phrased and divoutly presented. Dvorak'-, good ballad. ".So.'ige • Jr<\ Mother Taught Me" was another offerinc. illss Evans was also ciiarming in the arm. "Vibsl D'Arte." sum: by Fiona to her Marco in the cathedral scene of Act 1 of Puccini's "La 'J mm"— n nne exhibition ol nure, steady-toned sihg'n<» and nerlect phrasing. Miss Evans. aB an exponent ol breatn com ' trol, nlatlorm ©deportment, and concert unould. be an Invaluable example to local stragglers. The Puccini numaer yrorght a-tram or (ncorcs—"Down m the Forest" (llonald). 'One Morniris:, Very Early" (Sanderson i among them. Then came, that sweet Arcadian :llt. "Damon," with' Dorothy Foster's "I Wonder if Love is a Dream." and Leoni's "Birth or Morn." The sustaining power of Jliss Evans's mezzo notes above the cler is umazliie. The last not* of the Dorothy Foster- Amur seemed as if all-the slnginc birds of the forest were carolling In her throat. *

,- Sir. i'raser Uatizc Is an acior as well .as a singer. He iB alive to all that is dramatic, pathetic, or comic in the linen, he sines. He lent a new world of meaning to "Vlttoria Vittoria" by his BliiHul colouring. His chaff and his braggadocio wero alike excellent. "Sea Fever" (John Ireland) wan also well expressed. The second hrade'ot Included "In a lieautenu> Garden" (Glecson)' and "The Toy BnnU." This nervy acona. written round a sccno in the retreat from Mons had the cffce» of a trumpet-call on the audience. Again could be csen the tired regiment-, dropping with sheer ratiguc. helped on by a. toy drum and a aeniiy whistle. The lile of that incident in song and story has already begun. Jlr. Fraser Gauge tells it most vividly. "Let Us Forget" (Maud V. white) was the encore--n tone with a midVictorian smack. Later Mr. Gauge put on the motley and sang with rare point "when 1 Was a Bachelor,'! and once more, to the great Joy of the audience, produced his classic in humour, "Green Grow the Bushes, 0." "Because -I Was Shy" at-d "When I Think on the Hannv Days" were the third and fourth recalls. Finally. Miss livans and Mr. Gange-sang with line dramatic address the solo between.'rue wicow and the prouhet from "Klijah." and again proved' their native worth in this .class ol music. Encores, flowers, applause, even cheers, closed tne, Programme, and afterwards between SCO and 3CO people waited to see'tho artlstß at closer uuarters.- Wellington is seldom 'so sentimental. Miss Uartcc Wood played the accompunlments, and a number of »olos. including DcJ™w» Keflects dans L'eau" (otherwise reflections. In the water), suite nicely.

.At to-morrow's rocitnl Mjbs Emus will sin ? , among others, "Th-j Lass with tho iJelicate Air," "Jrurmurini? llreezcs." mid Hie. auet from Verdi'n "Jfigoletto," with Air. Itr.. Ounce's numbers will liieludo Verdi's '0 tu Palermo." "To the Forest, an<l "Out of the Niglit." JHsu Uliinen Unod is the itssistine artist. The box plan enn lie 'Inspected at the liristol where dhj- sales nre obtainable. The doors will open, at 2.15.: . ..