MADAME MELBA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 51, 28 February 1903, Page 3

MADAME MELBA.

The appearance of the town on Friday evening betokened the occurrence of some event of unusual interest The fame of Madame Melba had attracted a large crowd, and there was an unwonted excitement in the town. Iu the vicini'y of the Criterion H"tel and of the Theatre Royal large concourses were posted to catch a glimpse of the fortunate possessor of a voice that has charmed the world). Outside the Theatre, and especially at the stage entrance, waited a large crowd who would have enly too gladly entered the building had the pries of admission been within their meant, but the desire to hear even a few notes of the Queen of song kept these people near the building, and though it is unlikely their wish was gratified the homage which their desire exhibited should be more or less gratifying to Madame Melba. Within the Theatre was assembled one of the most representative audiences that the weilth and culture of the district could produce. It may safely be assumed a fair 'proportion of those present had never heard a singer of Madame Melba's position, and to them her perfect voice must hive been a revelation. To those who have listened to the prima donnas of the last quirter of a century it was no less a treat to hear once more such sublime effects as were produced by our unrivalled visitor. Never have such thunders of applause resounded in the Theatre Rayal, and when the composite parts of the audience is considered the enthusiasm shown is all the more exceptional. Tbe reception accorded to Madame Melba on her first appearance was worthy of the audience and of the great songstress in whose honour the demonstration was made. Her opening number* was the aria from Lucia " Ardon gl'incenei." No better selection could hive been mads to exhibit her marvellous perfection of technique, consummate skill in voice production, and all the essentials that combine to stamp the sißger as a finished artiste. By such specimens of music alone can the powers of a singer be guaged. There are some, and their name is legion, who prefer to have their ear tickled by what they call a pleasing melody. That is sentiment, not art, for while thousands can, and do acquit themselves creditably in rendering every day ballads, there are but fev who would dare to attempt the aria from Luoia, and none who could_ excel Madame Melba in its execution. It was a triumph of art. enchanced by tbe rivalry between the notes of flute, so skilfully manipulated by Mr F. Griffith, in which the grand voice of the sioger outvied the silvery netes of the instrument. To describe the effect of this marvellous song is absolutely impossible. It riveted the attention of the audience as if by magnetism, the

parity of tone in the most difficult passages being ever apparent, not a note slurred or clipped, tbe whole song being rendered with an ease, grace, and perfection of finish that could not fail to evoke the loud and eontinued | applause which barst forth at its close. ' Again and agun Madame bowed her acknowledgements, and eventually gave "Three Red Bonnets" by way of an encore. This quaint and pretty ballad was given with sweet intonation, and charming grace, evoking another burst of hearty applause. The great treat of the evening was "Ophelia's Mad ( Scene" from Hamlet. To be able to do justice to such a'theme as this, an artiste not only requires to be equipped with an exceptionally well trained voice of great raage, but must also be endowed with dramatic power of a high order. Madame Melba proved beyond all question that Bhe possessed these gifts, and as a consequence the item was- one that alone was worth to the full the price of admission. The artistic way in which the various phases through which Ophelia passes were demonstrated was ! at once entrancing and graphic. The French words were so distinctly and accurately pronounced that none were lost. At tim«s there was a malti'g sweetness which visibly moved the audience, while at others tbe despairing wails were declaimed with a marvel lous depth of fueling, sublime pathos aad power. No audience could fail to be aroused to the highest pitch of enthusiasm by such a magnificent exhibition of vosalisa'ion, and never has suoh an outburst of well-deserved applause been heard as thit which arose at the close of this aria. Five times did the gifte 1 singer return to bow her acknowledgement, but the audience would not be denied an encore and this time Madams Melba delighted them with " doming through the Bye," to which she gave an edded charm by the quiet coy way in which this old favourite ballad was euog. Her last item was Arditi's " Se Siren Rose " a pretty lively and tuneful number whicb greatly p'eased the audience. Again Midline was persuaded to give an encore, and this time another treat was experienced in listening to Tolstoi's u Good-Bye," the exquisite rendering of which came as a final crown to the night's performance. These who were not present cannot realise the lingering tenderness of that "Gwd-Byr," but those who heard it wilt remember its lofty beauty and thrilling pathos as long as they baar in mind the gifted singer who hss give a them one of the greatest treat s cf their lives. Madame Melba was much pleased with the cordiality of her reception and wi h the hewty appreciation shown by her New Plymouth pvtrons. In addition to the items given by Madame Melba, the programme contained a very happy selection by other members of the compaty. As pianistee, Llewela D ivies and Natalie Dawson exhibited considerable skill, their playing having much technical and executive merit, especially as accompanists. Mr Walter Kirby's pure sweet tenor was heard to great ad van tagc, and secured for him very he<rty apphuse. He sang " Angels Guard Thee " and " Songs of Araby," responding to an encore for th-i latter. Mr Frederic Griffith gave a very finished flute bolo, and played an obligato to Mad me Me'ba's sria from Lucia. In both he acquitted himself as a finished artist, and earned hearty applause. Signorina Sassoli's harp playing was a very pleasant feature of 'he entertainment. It is in these davs so rarely thit we h°ar this much neglected instrument manipulated by an expert that such a performance as that on Friday nigkt is all the mo-e welcome. Tbe Signoriaa is quite a young girl in Abort frock', end there is listld dou'a\ but thit she is a true genuis. Hedelicacy, ya- firmness of to>ich, her nibl-ncss of manipulating, accuracy of striking cho-ds, especially chromitic-, are simply astonishing in one of such tender y ars. She thoroughly captivated th; audi-ajce by her marvelious power*", and they showed their appreciation in a mcit hearty manner, The

Signorina declined to accede to a denmdfjr an encore to her first i'era, but after her sesond piec 3 , in which she seemed to breathe life and soul into strings, she could not resist the persistence of the audience, and gave a very pret y i em by way of encore. Mis ; Blva Rogers, a contralto, sang " Bounie Ranks o' Loch Lomon," and, like the other members of the company, scored a c?implite success. Her voice is pure, deep, and rich, and its sweet [tones frXictly suited the song. There J was, however, an absence of " soul " in l the lady's singing, which, although most artistic, had a tendency to be mechanica l . In spits of this the effecjwas pleasing, and Miss Rogers well des?r?ed the tribute of applau e bestowed on her effort, har eccore item baing also greatly appreciated. Altogether the conci-rfc was one that j will long be remembered with pleasure |by all who were present. It was a veritable rtd-letter evening for musical people, and the fact, that Madame i Melba and her brilliant company gave [such a concert at New Plymouth should ;ba taken as an evid*nca of the reputa | tion the town has made, and act as an incentive to go forward on the road of progress. We may add that one of the factors which assisted the su cess of thi evening was the beautiful tone of the pianos which were supplied by Mr McKinnon Bain of the 0 Gonial Piano Company. Not only did these in-i'ruments please the audience but they me*: with the entire approval of the artistes who performed on then. Madame Mtlba and her Company left for Auckland by the Ngspuhi at 11 p.m. on Friday night, th i departure of the vessel having bean specially delayed to suit their convenience.