POPULAR SINGER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 449, 3 September 1928, Page 14

POPULAR SINGER

HEUGHAN’S RETURN VISIT Having completed a marvellously successful tour of the Southern cities. Mr. William Heughan, the Scots actorsinger, has returned to Auckland to give two farewell recitals. The first was given in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, and the large audience that greeted the singer was eloquent proof of his popularity. Mr. Heughan, with his excellently controlled bass-baritone voice; his emotional gamut, and powerful personality has an artistic equipment that any platform singer might envy. Yet it is his range of interests that explains his popularity with the public. Grand opera arias and martial Border ballads are as one to him, yet he is completely satisfying in each. His versatility is amazing, and he is an artist splendidly endowed. The recital was opened by the aria "II Lacerate Spirito,” from Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra.” This, with “Quand la Flamme de l’Amour” showed his ability for interpreting mood. The second aria, a vigorous number with disillusionment as its theme gave the singer splendid opportunities. Good as Heughan is in the operatic work, it is his singing of Scottish songs that has made his reputation. He seems to have got far under the skin of these beautiful old songs, the grave and Jolly alike. "Kirk Connel.Lea a fane dramatic story, was unfolded uith brilliant effect. Then, there were humorous reliefs m such as The Laira o’ Cockpen” and "Oh, No, John. Jme martial ardour which he can communicate so well was present m numbers like the “Wi’ a Hundred Pipeis, “The Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee and “Sound the Pibroch.” For deliberate treatment, it would be difficult to encounter anything finer than Schubert s "Death and the Maiden.” the audience, of course, demanded more, and the singer, with customary graciousness, rrove of his golden store. s Miss Maud! Bell a ’cellist with perfect technique and refined tone, con th^S m ?n a p S ® Goens) H and°“And a cht” Cl ( Popper) were among her best numbers. Miss Gladys Sayer, at the piano not only played sympathetic accompaniments P but also did some excellent solo wo?k Among her numbers were "Etude in A Flat” (Chopin) and Over th Thf final recited"will be given tomorrow evening when Heughan will sing many "request numbers.