MADAME CROSSLEY’S CONCERT

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9375, 18 February 1909, Page 4

MADAME CROSSLEY’S CONCERT

A GREAT TRIUMPH. The attempt to analyse the pleasure caused by hearing a great singer leads ns at once to realise the many factors concerned. The basic cause is probably the satisfaction which arises from witnessing work well done. This feeling is common enough and affects all spheres of life. EVeryone rejoices to see a good piece of ploughing, a neat and well strained fence or a well kept garden and the same effect ia produced by hearing a perfect and carefully trained voice which is capable of easily responding to all the demands made upon it. But this explanation takes us only a little way, as we have farther to take into account the personality of the singer---in the case of Madame Ordesley a very charming one—the mental pictures caused by the words or the songs, the interpretation of the accompanist, and not least the contagious enthusiasm of a crowded house. All these elements combined to account for the splendid reception given to the famous Australian contralto at Marton Opera House last evening. In the first part of the concert Madame Orossley sang Handel’s ‘‘Ombra Mai Fu,” with piano and violin obligato, and it was at once evident that she was' in splendid voice. She was recalled and sang ‘‘Caller Herrin” which gave full opportunity .of showing the pathos and richness of her lower tones. It was, however, in the second part of the programme that she was really irresistible and thoroughly gripped the audience. Her sm g was “Through Love to Light,” which perfectly suited her voice, and was beautifully rendered. Repeated recalls led to Madame giving four more songs, Nevis’s ;/‘Oh That We Two Were Maying,” followed by “Love the Pedlar,” and a charmingly quaint song “Little Orphan Annie,” and finally “The Banks of Allan Water.” These varied songs served to reveal the range of Madame Orossley’s talent and were received with/great enthusiasm. Of the other members of the Company, the violinist, Mr [Leon Sametini wa; perhaps the most snccessfnl. He plays with remarkable selfrestraint and develops a beautifully rich and sweet tone. He gave a nocturne of Chopin and a minnet by Mozart in the first part, and Wieniawski’s Polonaise in the second. For these he received wellearned recalls. The tenor, Mr John Harrison, has a beautiful voipe and in a new song “ Love’s Mystery” had a splendid opportunity, of which lie availed himself to the full. His methods are hardly as good as bis voice, though the standard set by Madame Orossley tends to make criticism pehaps too easy. On being recalled after his last song Mr Harrison sang “My Pretty Jane,” a song which as rendered by Mr Sima Reeves, was familiar to the grandparents of the present generation. It seemed to bring back early Victorian days and reminiscences of drawing rooms, with bowls of faded rose leaves and ladies wearing crinolines.

The pianist, Mr Percy Grainger, is well known and displayed his powers of execution to great advantage in the items he selected. The baritone, Mr Jay Ryan, gave a good rendering of a number of Irish songs, including “Father O’Flynn,” and “Off to Philadelphia.” Herr Benno Soherek, as accompanist, played in his usual capable and finished style, whioh left nothing to be desired. Altogether the concert was most successful, and it is satisfactory to learn that the financial receipts were such as to make it likely that Marton will bo included in the tours of other distinguished vocalists in the future. Madame Orossley appears in Feilding to-morrow evening.