MADAME GODDARD'S CONCERT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 262, 4 November 1874, Page 2

MADAME GODDARD'S CONCERT.

Those who formed part of the dense crowd tha^asß(»inbled {ft the Provincial Hal! last nigrjt eDjoyevf, and tbqW who did not missed, such a treat has never before been placed wfthln reach of tbe people of Nelson. A more spirited concert we do not .remember ever having been present at before; a more successful one, from beginning 'id end, it is scarcely possible to imagine. Between performers and audience. there . was an excellent understanding. That tbe latter were more than satisfied with the former, was evidenced by the deafening applause that followed the different pieces, especially, of course, those in which Madame Goddard was the performer ; that the former were pleased with the latter, was shown by their ready willingness to respond to / the frequent demands for-, repetition. The first item in the programme was a duet by Mrs Smythe, who possesses a very powerful soprano voice, some of the, upper notes being especially • sweet, and Mr, Skioner who has a sweet but not very powerful tenor voice. In tbe matter of ' sound' he was scarcely equal to the lady, whose voice occasionally drowned his completely. It is evident that he caonot come up to Mrs Smythe in this • respect, so it might' be advisable for her to modulate her voice so as to come down to him. When Mahomet and the mountain bad to be brought together, as tbe mountain could not come to Mahomet there was only one course open to him by which tbe object in view could be achieved. Mrs Smythe and Mr Skinner appeared several times during the evening in duets and solos, and both were well received, especially the lady, who was twice encored. Herr Doehler, the violinist, comes with a Crystal Pa'ace reputation which he fully sustained last night. There is great breadth of tone and fine expression in the sounds be produces irom that most difficult of all instruments, tbe violin, and some of his delicate passages were really remarkable for their beauty. The accompaniments throughout the evening were brilliantly played by Mr HarcoarfLee, And now we come to the great pianist herself, and we naturally feel considerable hesitation in referring to the performances of one in whose favor an unanimous verdict has been pronounced by all the great musical critics in the known world. Tha piece with which' she' elected to open her campaign in New Zealand was Mozart's " Sonata in A major." Prior to her appearance there was a buzz of expectation throughout the crowded Hall and as she entered she was greeted 1 with such a round of opplause as must have been highly gratifying to her, accustomed though she be to hearty receptions from far larger audiences. The sonata was played with all possible grace and infinite delicacy, and in a manner that in all probability 'will never again be heard in Nelson after she takes her departure." The andante was rendered with perfect feeling, with all the necessary fire, sweetness, and energy, and wiih all the .refinement that could possibly be conceived or desired." Tee Turkish dance, which brings to a close this lovely sonata, is ofittbe true Mootjah type, and has a very marked rhythm which requires great accent, while. tbe theme itself is mos6 aparkhtig' and lively. The audience listened through^ out with rapt attention; 'and, 'as the last sote died away on their ears, their enthusiasm burst forth in such, applause as was never heard within those : wails before, and the great artiste re> turned, amidst a shower of bouquets, and played r fch& " Harmonious Blacksmith " as an encore, which she rendered with a grace that' was perfectly matchless. The beautifnl old melody tinder Madame Gddilald's poetical touch fell upon the ear with a mostnsoothingieffect. All the gradations of tone were inimitable, and the last variation wag a marvel of musicab beauty;: It is needless to say that it was followed by a tremendous burst ot applause. The nest piece Madame^ Godifard perforated was '^The Last Rose of Summer." Thai berg has, inhis arrangement of it, interwoven tbe air with l 'such interminable difficulties that it requires a Madame Goddard to render it to perfection."' That ; she did so it is not necessary to assert. The audieuce wero in ecctaeies, and hailed tbe performer, with euch a loud demand for an encore, that ehe once more returned to the piano, and played the old and charming air, "Home sweet Home," also by Tfaalberg, in tbe same unapproachable 'style. Her last ftffbrt was a Scotch fantasia, a most effective piece, in which the airs are admirably arranged. This was followed by Kuother | encore piece, introducing the fumiiiar airs "Auld Robin Gray'" and " Bonnie Dundee," which fairly, took the audience by storm, and the' stage was literally coyered with the., numberless bouquets iba6 were lowered" upou this most wonderful of pianists, The instrument upon which Madame Gocidard plays is by Bioadwood, and took tbe prize at tbe Vienna Exhibition, We are informed that 300 gnineas wa% the price paid for it in Lop,dqn. Tfcjis ..wUI.-giye joooae idea of ' the amoarit of care 1 and "workmanship bestowed upon its construction,*. Another concert will be given on Thursday i< ight for which the seats are already being rapidly applied'" for so, that Madame Goddard may Joqk for another crowded audience, and be perfectly " certain of a most enthusiastic reception.