THE CARANDINIS.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2107, 5 February 1870, Page 2

THE CARANDINIS.

Although there was a fair attendance at St George’s Hall last evening it was not so well filled as might have been expected, considering the character of the entertainment. So seldom is it that the inhabitants of Dunedin have an opportunity of hearing ballads and operatic music so exquisitely sung as they are by Madame Carandini and her' daughters the surprise is that there should bo a vacant seat in the hou-c. Although on their first visit to Dunedin these ladies became popular favorites, they have achieved a much higher position as artists than they had then a right to claim. Madame CarandinTs voice has gained in sweetness and power of expression. Miss Rosina retains that exquisite taste that fascinates the hearer in her rendering of ballads ; and Miss Fannie’s voice—at that time not fully developed—is now a rich contralto of great compass, and of remarkable evenness throughout the different registers. Music is now much more generally studied in Dunedin than it used to he, and we should recommend all classes to attend these concerts, not as mere amusements, but as a school of art. ' They will be able then fully to appreciate the advantages of careful training of the voice. There are many singers more florid in their style than these ladies, but there are few wdio are so capable of commanding the sympathies of their hearers. Miss Fannie’s singing of “The Green Tree whispered,” was remarkable for the correct intonation of every passage. No matter whether forte or a p-piano, in the crescendo or in the diminuendo, there is no alteration in the roundness of the note nor in its pitch. The softest breathing is still sweet music. She was encored, and sang “The Murmur of the Shell” equally beautifully. Madame Carandini is not so strictly severe in style as her daughters, and, as in “Ever of Thee,” sometimes depends for effect upon the introduction of some passage, which, however finely given, does not always fit the sentiment of the song. She sang it so well, however, that we were surprised no further demand was made upon her. “On the Banks of Allan Water” was sung without accompaniment, arranged as a quartet. It may be an error of judgment on our part, but we do not think it gains by being harmonised. The air never was intended to be the theme for a quartet, and its beauty, which depends on the expression given to it, is lost in the strictness necessary in concerted music. Miss Rosina sang “Bid me discourse” with great taste and expression, and the duett “ Over the Sun-!it Sea,” by the two ladies, concluded the first first part. The general remarks we have made as to their stylo of singing the pieces allotted to them, apply to all sung hy the two young ladies. Each has received careful study on their parts, and every sentiment is appropriately expressed. The old favorites “Wouldn’t you like to know?” and “Beware ! trust her not,” never seem to weary. Miss Rosina and Miss Fannie were encored every time they appeared. Perhaps the gem of the evening was the trio “ Ti prezo,” and the equally well-rendered trio that was given in answer to a recall. On Monday Miss Hosina takes a benefit, and we trust there will be a full room to welcome her.