ALFRED O’SHEA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 395, 2 July 1928, Page 15

ALFRED O’SHEA

SUCCESSFUL THIRD CONCERT The third concert of the season given by Mr. Alfred O’Shea, the rish tenor, at the Town Hall on Saturday evening, attracted the largest “house” of the season. The body of the hall was well filled, and the stage seats were nearly all occupied. Mr. O’Shea’s programme was of an unusually generous nature. In addition to the numerous Irish, Scottish and English songs given as extras, the tenor sang “Salut Demeure,” from Gounod’s “Faust,” Handels “Ombria mai.fu” (“Largo”), Massenet’s “E3?egie,” with violin obbligato; “E Lucevan le Stelle,” from Puccini’s opera “Tosca,” and Bizet’s “Agnus Dei.” In addition to these big numbers, there were also included on the programme, “A Song Remembered,” by Eric Coates, and Cadman’s “I Hear a Thrush at Eve.” Both the “Largo” number and the “Agnus Dei” of Bizet’s were sung to a splendid organ accompaniment provided by Mr. Maughan Barnett. Of the two, the Handel number was probably the most enjoyable, not only from the point of view of musical taste, but also vocally. In this number the tenor displayed a beautiful round tone, smoothly and evenly sustained. The “Agnus Dei,” repeated by popular request, had an organ, piano and violin accompaniment, a pleasing and very effective performance being provided. Another excellent number was a charming little thing by Eric Coates entitled “A Song Remembered.’’ It received splendid treatment. There were numerous encores. Miss Claire Hartge proved decidedly popular, on one occasion two extras being insisted on. In the first half of the programme the violinist played with grace and expression Kreisler’s “Liebesfreud,” and later in the evening Monti’s “Czardas.” Both well merited the very unanimous recalls. In addition to capably carrying out the arduous duties of accompanist, Miss Kathleen Fitzgerald also contributed two enjoyable solos, Chopin’s “Scherzo” and Liszt’s “Liebestraume.” Both were warmly received and extra numbers had to be played. The farewell concert will be given at the Town Hall this evening.