Alice Hollander Concert Company.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 346, 21 February 1902, Page 3

Alice Hollander Concert Company.

It would have been thought that the name of the gifted young contralto,

Miss Alice Hollander, would have been sufficient to attract a crowded house on her appearance in Gisborne, but last night people were evidently nearly all away holiday-making, or else they were not aware of the treat mat was in at the Theatre Royal, where Miss Alice Hollander Concert Company gave the first of two concerts set down for Gisborne. The poor attendance must have been very disheartening to the famous singer and those who accompany her, and it would go hard if the taste of the Gisborne people were to he judged hy the poor house which greeted Miss Hollander. The truth, we prefer to think, is that, while a great many people were out of town, others did not know of the quality of the concert. But rarely was there a more enthusiastic audience assembled in any concert hall than that which was at the theatre last night. Each item given elicited warm applause, and although Miss Hollander has sung to thousands in the great, halls the appreciation could not have been greater

than among the audience last night Everything was enthusiastically entmed, and .so persistent were the recalls that it seemed hardly fair to expect so much. The concert opened with the Tannhauscr March, on tne pianoforte, by Mr Farrell, a pianist of great brilliancy in his proiession. He was very warmly applauded and an encore bad to be responded to. Later ci. be played “ Study in U,” ana m the second part ns played •* Caprice,” which resulted in another very hearty encore. The appearance of Miss Alice Hollander was tne signal for a warm outburst of applause, but the reception was as nothing compared to the enthusiasm of tne people wnen they had heard Miss Hollander s rich contralto voiHer his: s,-.v was

“ Margarita,” followed by “ Damon." With Miss Hollander it is not merely the using of her rich contralto voice that charms ; there is a depth of feel-

ing and sympathy in her singing aim grace 'in her manner, and wnue she is' gifted with a contralto voice of two and a half octaves, she has also tne other essentials tnat go to maae tne famous singer. Miss Hollander was recalled time after - time, and bowed, but there was no denying the demands for an encore. “ Sunshine and Rain " was the next song taken by Miss Hollander, and again there was a very hearty recall, with a gracious response and another song. In the second part “ Beloved, it is morn ” was sung by Miss Hollander, and enabled the audience to furthbr judge as to her wonderful voice and the sweet expressiveness of her singing. The organ accompaniment was given by Mr Bethune. Needless to say there was another enthusiastic encore. But perhaps the two most popular numbers given by' Miss Hollander were tne last ones, the plaintive ballad, “ Douglas Gordon,” and the ever popular “ Home, Sweet Home.” It was something to to be long remembered to hear those songs as Miss Hollander can and did sing them, and so deep was the impression caused that, though Gisborne audiences are usually in a hurry to leave when a programme has been completed, they retained their seats last night until Miss Hollander had twice re-appeared to how her acknowledgments, and when there was much cheering. Tne company includes a violoncello player of great repute, Herr Gerard Voiimer, who was warmly encored on each occasion he played. He played “ Fantasia,” “ Nocturne,” and “ Gavotte," as well as encore items. iiis performance was g splendid feature of an excellent programme. Those who desire to hear a company tnat gives tne best and only the best should take the opportunity to be present to-night. We can strongly recommend the company.. _____