THE URSO CONCERT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1946, 20 May 1880, Page 3

THE URSO CONCERT.

Madame Camilla Urso made her first ap pearance before a Ghristchurch audience at the Oddfellows' .Hall last night, and creatid a perfeot furore of admiration from all by her inimitable playing of the violin. The sensa tion of pleasure aroused among all those who were present will long be remembered- as onn of the greatest possible musical treats. To compare Madame Urso's playing with that of other artistes would be a difficult task. There is no peculiarity. She possesses in a superla tive degree the various specialties of all who have preceded her, but nothing appears to be displayed to her audience as a gymnastic feat, so to speak, but unostentatiously employed to give effeot to the morceau under treatment. Yet there is one peculiarity about her playing, whioh surprises all who hear her, and that is her perfeot repose. To that in a great measure must be attributed the raro feeling of intoxication she imparts, which differs greatly from the admiration created by most other soloist*. The perfect ease and evident enjoyment she experiences herself in rendering gems of artistic composition, though abounding in what must be impossibilities to all but a gifted few, inspires a feeling of rapturous delight, untrammelled by considerations of the effort or labor on the part of the executant. Her first performance was Paganini's cele brated " Witoheß* Danoe," a composition full of graceful melody, yet requiring a perfect mastery of almost all the difficulties to be mot with by the violinist. To say that these were successfully surmounted by Madame Urso would not suffice to convey the idea how they were employed to heighten the effect of this number. More perfect octave playing has never been heard here; and it is impossible to imagine a chromatic run in ootaves fairly startling those familiar with its difficulty. Staccato bowing, alternating with pizzicatos with the left hand, was another novelty, or at any rate the perfeot manner was in which it was executed. On tho completion of this numbor, Madame Urso retired amidst enthusiastic applause, which she graciously acknowledged by playing a mazourka by Wieniawski. The other solo given by her was also by this celebrated composer, an arrangement of Russian Airs. This fairly captivated the audience, the melody, whioh is a very catching one, delighting all, whether possessed of cultivated musical taste or otherwise. One great charm of this item was the remarkablo skill with which the intricate variations were utilised as embellishments, never for a moment disguising the melody pure and simple, even when played in the most deliciously mellow harmonies and acoompanied with extended and rapid arpeggios. A tumultous redemand was complied with by Madame Urso playing "The Last Rose o'f Summer" unaccompanied, and in this number scorning tho use of embellishment, she again entranced every one by a display of the most perfect tone she has it at all times in her power to produce throughout the entire range of the instrument. A second recall elicited a Polish song by Wieniawski, and were it not for fears of encroaching upon good nature, this would have reoeived the same recognition as the previous numbers. Were Madame Uurso here lainglehanded her rare talent would doubtless make htr visit a success, but she has wisely surrounded herself with artists of superior excellence in every department, so that the entertainment throughout should leave nothing to detract from one's enjoyment, Signora Palma possesses a rich contralto voice of rare power and compaeß, and she uses it as only a thorough artist can. Her contributions were, " Oh, Mio Fernando" and "Alas those Chimes," the latter encored, an honor more deserved by the former number. In response she gave "II S greto " with great vigor and appropriate expression. Miss Jenny Sargeant was at home with her acdience at once, her faultless rendering of Bishop's " Lo, hear the gentle lark," stamping her immediately as a popular favorite. As an encore she gave " Robin Adair," and later in the evening she rendered " Aime Moi," a vocal transcription of a mazourka by Chopin, with brilliancy of execution, her shakes and turns being much admired. Her voice is a pleasing soprano, of good range, and perfectly under control. There is |no doubt that both these ladies achieved au unqualified success last night. Of Mr Auguste Siuret as a solo pianist one can only speav in the highest terms. He is an executant of rare ability and power, and it was a matter of regret that the selections given last night almost confined him to a display of brilliant execution. A pianist of his skill requires to be heard in several numbers in ordar that his excellence in all branches may bo apparent. Mr Scherek proved himself a model accompanyist,correct, careful, and never obtrusive, though his work was not of the simplest character always. He assisted M. Sauret in tho opening number, entitled "Dance Macabre," by Saint Saens, an extraordinary composition of a very weird character, and requiring very dexterous manipulation and light and shade for its effective rendering. Altogether a more enjoyable musical treat has never been given in Christchurch, and there is no doubt now it is known who we have amongßt us that crowded and delighted audiences will be attracted every evening during the stay of this great artist. For to-morrow a change of programme is announced, including several very attractive gems.