ALFRED O’SHEA SEASON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 393, 29 June 1928, Page 12

ALFRED O’SHEA SEASON

ANOTHER FINE CONCERT Another successful concert fell to the lot of Mr. Alfred O’Shea, the Irish tenor, at the Town Hall last evening when the large building was again well filled. The tenor’s programme was again of a diversified nature,, containing operatic selections, Irish ballads and folksongs, Scottish airs, and numbers bymodern English and American composers. From the operatic field Mr. O’Shea selected “The Flower Song” from ‘ Carmen,” and “Recondita Armenia*’ (Strange Harmony) from Puccini’s “Tosca.” In the encore numbers he also included “Questa o Quella,” from “Rigoletto” (Verdi), and “Celeste Aida,” from Verdi’s “Aida.” Despite the popular appeal of the Irish airs?, it was in the latter number that the vocalist’s fine technique was best displayed. Mr. O’Shea possesses a rich tenor voice of a particularly limpid quality. In its sweet Irish softness it closely resembles the Italian voice, but fortunately it is devoid of any suggestion of forcing, so noticeable with even the best of Continentals. It is a voice well cared for and used with artistic restraint. These features were strongly emphasised in the “Aida” number, which was given with disarming ease, thanks to perfect breathing equipment. For second choice one could not overlook a charming little Nocturne from a song cycle by Michael Head, entitled “Over the Rim of the Moon,” a number which Mr. O’Shea sang, or shall we say crooned, with particularly pleasing effect. Although the Bach-Gounod arrangement is probably not the best. “Ave Maria” available, having been slightly overworked on the concert platforih, Mr. O’Shea managed to invest it with more appeal than usual. He sang as only an Irishman could, and if only to hear the Latin correctly — given, it proved a welcome addition to the programme. The violin obbligato of Miss Claire Hartge was also given with proper appreciation of the devotional requirements of the number. The easy restrained style was also well suited to the Tosca number, that pleasing aria “Recondita Armonia,” where the artist Mario compares the portrait of his beloved Tosca with a painting of the Madonna. Most of Mr. O’Shea’s Irish numbers were reserved for extra items, and they were readily demanded. Chief among them were “Macushla,” “Beli-jv

Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms*’ (Moore). “Has Sorrow Your Young Days Shaded*’ (Aloore). and “Molly Brannigan.” They were given with good sense of discrimination and with pleasing effect. A number of other extra items were demanded and were generously given, so much so that the entertainment well exceeded the usual hour. A violinist of marked ability and very pleasing personality is Miss Claire Hartge. Her opening number, "Rondo from the Ninth Concerto.” De Beriot. brought her into instant favour, and she was compelled to respond to an insistent demand for two additional numbers. Later in the evening Miss Hartgo played a bracket of two numbers bv Kreisler and Mozart. “Midnight Bells” and “Minuet” respec lively. Both were given with pleasing verve, an extra number being again insisted upon. As accompanist Miss Kathleen Fitzgerald capably executed a varied programme. As solo pianiste she also contributed to the variety of the concert With a pleasing interpretation of the popular Chopin “Fantasia Impromptu” and a York Bowen bracket. Nocturne” and “A Romp.” In noth instances extra numbers had toe be provided. The third concert of the series will be given in the Town Hall to-morrow evening.