Musical

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 26, 23 September 1893, Page 12

Musical

4 ‘THE KING OF VIOLINISTS.”

M. Adalbert Francik, wbo gives a concert in the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening, 26th September, is evidently a violinist of great skill. He has not, it is true, come hem with a great flourish of trumpets, but he is, as otir. Scotch friends would put it, “main.the waur o’ that ” —indeed it is rather a refreshing change. ■■ That our visitor’s performances will be none the less worthy of patronage on that account may he gathered from the reputation which he has made for himself elsewhere. M. Francik, who is an Associate of the Prague and Leipzig Conservatc i; es, and who was formerly violinist to the Queen of Eoumania (“ Carmen Sylva”), has won high honours wherever he has played—as one paper has it, “ When lie puts in ah appearance with his violin he creates enthusiasm.” In the course of his tours on the Continent, at Home, and in the colonies his skill has received prompt recognition, the following being a few of the notices published regarding him: —■ The marvellous playing of Herr Erancik of.Sarasate’s Hungarian Melodies has already been referred to, and in this number the audience was positively electrified, and called and recalled the performer to the platform, when he ultimately played a brief setting of “Home, Sweet Home,” the technical difficulties of which could be best appreciated by violinists, as it abounded in intricate double-stop-ping. A perfect gem in its way was Wieniawski’s “ Mazurka,” a dainty little piece, also fraught with much difficulty, the quaint air with its double stopping and harmonies being played with all the neatness and accuaracy of a simple unharmonised melody. Needless almost to say this was also imperatively encored. Another critic states ; —“ In all his playing, the execution was wonderful and the intonation accurate. In the mazurka, the pizzacato was very effectively used, while in the polonaise he produced a great effect by his powerful chords. The influence upon the audience of these masterpieces of composition as played by Herr Francik was surprising. They listened intently, and at the close showed their great delight by most enthusiastic applause. In his encores he played, “ Old folks at home,” “Blue bells of Scotland,” and “ The last Rose of Summer” with double stopping all through. The manner in which these favourite airs were performed was perfect. The performance of the great violinist was beyond criticism.” The programme of Tuesday night’s concert will include Sarasate’s celebrated “Gypsies’ Melodies” and a rhapsody introducing “ The Blue Bells of Scotland” and “John Anderson, my jo, John.” Popular prices will be charged, and as this will in all probability be the only occasion on which M. Francik will give a public performaims in Invercargill, all lovers of the divine art should not miss the opportunity. Seats can be reserved at Lillicrap’s Southland Music Depot, Dee street, and tickets obtained at Messrs Wesney Bros.’ Leviathan Gift Depot, and at the shops of Messrs A. Ferguson and T. J. Lumsden.