EDNA THOMAS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1925, Page 3

EDNA THOMAS.

( OSTTME RECITAL. AYEDXESDAY Air E. -I. Carroll, the' Australian Entrepreneur, under whose direction Kreislot, the world’s greatest violinist, and Harr.v hander, the world’s greatest entertainer and Pauline Krederick, the world’s greatest dramatic actress, are making their Australasian tours, presents an artist who, by Air Carroll’s own confession, carried him completely a.wav - Edna Thomas, the charming “hady from Louisiana.” lain - oils singer of negro .spirituals. Creole melodies, and plantation songs. No voice heard in ret cut years, it is claimed, is quite like that warm, lovely mezzo of hers, in its fulness of power, its wealth of tone-colouring, and its virile qualify. Edna Thomas's beautiful voice is supplemented hv that first essential of the great singer - -interpretative ability--and by a great knowledge of her work for she has made the weirdly lovely spirituals a lile study. Her intensity of expression, her conviction that she i«. when singing hack at the sunny New Orleans ol her childhood, listening to the haunting songs sung hy the negroes at work upon the plantations, gives to her performances an atmosphere ol realism that compels instant attention. Edna Thomas is no ordinary artist. As a costume recitalist, she is said to he unequalled to-day. At lien, Iresh from her American triumphs, she made her London premiere, her admirers wondered if she would cause the same stir in London, the city that hears more great artists m a day that other cities in a year. Would all London talk of Eilna Thomas. London did! Edna Thomas, for 10 weeks, afternoon ami evening, held vast nudienecs spellhound, and -speedily licciimo the ‘rage. In New Zealand we have heard the so-called negro spirituals snug over and over again, hut wo have seldom heard the real Creole melodies and negro spirituals of slavery days. Jinny of these songs are miniature plavs, and the delightful verbal annotations given to them add much to the enjoyment. Aliss 'I homas will sing them at her Hokitika recital on "Wednesday next, Alay ’2oth. She will he assisted hy Lueile Lawrence, a brilliant young American harpist. and Constance riper, a well-known pianist from New York.