CALEDONIAN CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 46, 18 November 1920, Page 6

CALEDONIAN CONCERT

AT THE TOWN HALL. A capital downstairs audience attended the Caledonian Society concert at the Town Hall last evening, when a substantial contribution towards tho uniform l'undof the Pipe Band was realised. Besides Scoiitisli dancers arid tho stimulating Pipe Band, there was the novelty of a Russian singing Verdi arias in Italian atr a "wee Scots nicht." This was M. Ivan TarbayefT, whose all too light voice and reticent style wero hardly suited to the big hull. He sang lllie ballata "Questa Quella" from "Rigoletto," and as an encore sang tho aria, "Par Mi Vcdere." In the second half, M. Tnrbnyeff essayed the difficult "Celeste from VerdiV "AidaA' with, indifferent success, the singer not having the robust tones to give tihis superb number its proper value. A sweot singer, from the South is Mrs. John I'raser (nee Miss Winnie Nixon), who delighted all with her strong, freely-produced musical mezzo voice. It rang true in "Douglas Gordon," and was evon moro beautifully dis : played in "A Spirit Flower." Later, she sang 'Turn Ye 'I'd Me," and "John Anderson, My Jo," the lattcrwhlh nice interpretive finish and feeling. .Another fine singer was Sir. Fred. Bourke, the Auckland baritone, whose voice improved as the programme advanced. Mr. Bourke sang "Scots AVha Hao" and "'Mary Morrison in the first half, and on his second appearanco "The Devout Lover" (M. V. White), and, best of all, Homer's "Requiem" (written to Robert Louis Stevenson's own epitaph on his gravo at Vailima). Miss Ivo Sinies, a pleasing contralto sang "Angus M'Donnld," "A Woman s Way," and "Border Ballad." Several violin solos showed Mr. Fred Seber, who is only a youth, to bo a player of promise. Tho Harmonic Quartet 'Messrs. Bennett!, Howe, Fielding, and Svondson) Bang in good tnsto ".Mary," "John Peel,". "In Al>sonce," and "Fishing." , Mr. R. Iladdow showed fine dexterity in a sword danco and (ling, and Miss Daisy M'Lellan, bespangled wi'lli medals, danced the sheantruibluis JdMghtfully. Tho spirit of tho Scot in the audionco was roused bv tbo spirited piping of tho society's band, and a good little orchestra, under Mr. J. M'Clue. played "Light Cavalry (Suppe), "Stars and S'./ripes" March (Sousii), the overture to "The Ca.liph of Bagdad" (Boieldiou),-and "Gipsy Blood (fflennor). Mr. Harold Whittle played the aocompaniment6.