TWO FINE SINGERS

Marlborough Express, Volume LX, Issue 231, 30 September 1926, Page 4

TWO FINE SINGERS

MORRISON-COOK RECITAL. GREAT MUSICAL TREAT. Musically, the recital given in His Maj/esty's Theatre Jast evening by iiVliss F:ran oe,s Morrison and Mr Harison Cook, was a noteworthy event, the memory of whioh will aiYays be a, pleasure to those who had tlie good fortune to hear two sirigers oi such outstanding ability. Although of fairly satisfactory proportions, tlie audienee was by no. means large, but what it lacked in magnitude it supplied in genuine appreciation and cordial enthusiasm. That there was reason for the spontaneous appreeiation evinced was clear, for rarely has ari occasion presented better cause for the app] ication of that iso-often misused phrase "a feast of music." Both artists were in wonderful voioe, but Aliss Morrison, in particular, seemed to exoel herse[f. If one wero inclined i to question the value of the opinion expressed after hearing her sing at the welcome home concert recently, her performanoe last niglit offered ample opportunitv _ for a fresli assessment. But no revision of the previous iudgment wa.s necessary, for her singing was a- revelation and a foroeful co.nfirmation of the previous high ©stimate of her ability. That her work and studies in the States have promoted a remarkable development in Miss Morrison's voioe, both in range and tonal quality, seemed distinctly apparent. Aiways an attractive singer, Miss Morrison is now also an accomplished, polished artiste, with a teohnique and liistrionic skill that enhance the value of her voice, The pure contralto is smooth and rounded in timbre and most flexible, Possibly "The Enchantress" provided the clearest example of the singer's artiistry and control, the transition from the wild, brilliant opening piassage tio the soft, seductive ensuing movement being admiralily done. Salter's "Cry of Rachael" should be recorded also as one of the singer 's^ outstanding achievements. Although it was her opening number, she gave a fine interpretation, revealing the^ agony of the mother bereft of her chi'ld, im,porting just the right amount of drama and pathos. "Habanera, " from "Carm.en," with its familiar air, was tle/liglitfulily sung ; whilst the trilling effect in "L'esperto Nocchiero," from "Astarto," the other number in tlie opening bracket, was very good. By request, Miss Morrison isang tlie Negro melodv "Uncle Rome" as the eneore. Two of Alfred Hill's M-aori songs f'ormed tlie second contribution by Miss Mori'ison. "Waiata Poi" was very popular, whilst the more a.mbitious "Tangi" was splendidly treated. A Georgia sleep song was the rricall offering, Luzzi's "Ave Maria," "Che faro senzo Euridioe" and "Tlie Enchantress," the latter magnificently sung, were tlie final bracket. Responding to a hearty eneore, Miss Morrison gave "What shall I sing " and tlier© was almost ,a per.sonal message in the concluding words: "Thinlc sometimeis of my songs, ,a,nd so of me." Mr Harison Cook, the English basso, who was associated with Miss Morrison in the recital, appearpd with a notable reputation to maintain. That he has a right to be numbered amongst tlie front rankeris he early demonstrated, and each and every oue of his items was a deliglit. He eo.mplete.ly captnred the admiration of tlie audienee, who could not get enough of him. Possessed of a magnificent voice that is capable of great things, skilled in technique, oouplcd with considerable ability and an attactive stage personality, Mr Cook took the audienee by storm. He open witli tlie Prologue to. "Pagliacci," whieh immediately revealed the singer's calibre, and ' followed this with the rollicking "I ,am a roamer" (with its racing measnre.) " Vulcan 's soiiv," was the eneore nnd was

splendidly sung. Jn the character of Mepliistopheles, Mr Cook sang the famed serenade from "Faust." It was an outstanding piece of work, for whieh the singer received an ovation. "Two Grenadiers" was another song in which acting as well as sinonnc woile boi+.h rrn,nrl • wl-n'lcf

"Young Dietrich," an eneore number, was fine, "What the redhnired Bosum said," and an old Irish song entitled "When in death," were two items which led up to a number which placed the seal on Mr Cook's iperformance ats far as the audienee was coneerned. This Avas the humorous song "When the Sergt.-Majbr's on parade." Vocifei'ously encored, Mr Cook sang "The arguing wife," and again recalled, he gave "In eellar cool," which was a nevealation of his lower register. In these lighter solos, the singer was most popular and they demonstrated his remarkable versatihtv. The recital was opened and brought to a close with delightful duets bv Miss Morrisop and Mr Cook. The first was "O lovely night" ; whilst in the duet from "Samson and Delilah" the voices blended beautifully. Responding to au eneore, the duet "The singing lesson" was given. Partieularly beautiful was the pianoforte solo work of Mrs AV. R. A,llen,' whq played brilliantly and won the complete admiration of the audienee, Liszt's "Rhapsodie Hongroise, No. 15" was a, deliglit, ^ whilst the other programme number. the ever-popular "Polonaise in A flat" was played with impressive ability. Mrs Allen was warmly encored on both occasioiis, and played "In a gondola," (Mendelssohn) and "The Butterfiy Study," by Chopin. Mrs Allen, who acted as accompaniste Ithroughout the evening, was responsible for n notable performance. The recital was under the direction of Mr A. M. Thomison and Mr H. Llanfear, who deserve hearty oommendation upon having arranged for the appearance of the singers in Blenheim and upon the general excellence of tlie entertainment. Tlie recital will be repeated in the Albert Hall, Picton, to-night where it deserves to be aeeorded strong support.