Miss Ada Crossley.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 262, 4 December 1903, Page 2

Miss Ada Crossley.

Out of the Deep a Voice sang. At It's tone The charmed waves of plastic space, that still Jn dreamless sleep tad steept her, at the will Of—Whom none nainetih save in heart alone— The moved waves up-leapt, the Vast was sown With infinite radiances. Thrill on thrill Swayed, sundered, joined the palpitant Waters, till To most magnificent Order All was ■grown. Put of tlie Deep a Voice singe— Thilne—this day, Ami the charmed waves of plastic human minds Leap to the mustering magic of Thy lay, Kith wiUi Earth's runes, wistful as wandering winds, And soft us st ai-shine—leap, and surge, and sway, Till each, soul-stilled, the Heart of Beauty finds.—W. M. Burn, in Diuimdin Evening Star.

New Plymouth undoubtedly owes a great deal to the enterprise of .Mr : J. ('. Williamson, as it is only by. this means that we have been eimli- , led to hear and enjoy the singing of one of the world's greatest vocalists, Miss Ada Oossley, Australia's contralto. Arriving by the 5.27 p.m. train yestei-day, she was met by his Worship the Mayor, Mr It. Cock, and the Lady Mayoress', Mrs Cock, who extended to Miss Crossley a hearty welcome on behalf of the iieople of New Plymouth. Mrs Cock also presented the distinguished visitor with a basket of crimson ramblers, which Miss Crossley carried on her first appearance 'in the e\enmg. There was quite a large assemblage at the station, all eager to do honour to our neighbouring colony s pride, and those who were present add their testimony'to that ()1 other towns in speaking of Miss (.rossleys charming and womanly munner. ]„ the evening Devon street, opposite the Criterion Hotel was thronged by some hundreds 0 f people, who were waiting to catch a glimpse of the gifted contralto, a g-l-imp.su of the gifted contralto as she entered the cab which was to convey her to the theatif, THE CONCEKT. A COMPLETG TIUUMPH, After the series of hearty receptions and successes in the various' towns iii the colony it was not at aH surprising to find a large audi-ence-in the Theatre Koyal last evening!. Th© untoward weather had the effect of keeping many away, yet the theatre was filled downstairs, and some of the audience had to Ixj accommodated on the stage' In tlie dress circle there \ve.r<j a. ~few vacant seats. Miss Crp.ss'ley was warmly greeted upo,n her first entry, a hearty round of applause being taken up in all parts of -the house, the audience taking this means of testifying their pleasure at tiro visit of one who hits risen from amongst us colonels to the front rank of her pro.lossicm. Miss Crossley gained the favour of the audience from the start. Her gracious, presence, and . the very womanly friendliness evi-, uenced in her manner of acknowledging, the giveting of "the house" •won found a way for her into the , hearts of all present, and VWs must have aided her in tli« various numbers given, ■' Ca.ro, ,„ iu was tin.) first number, being sung in the original key of I) flat. This song liou'g'ht out to tlie full the possibilities of legwto and full-strength singing, wihilst the rendering— as with athw numbers—was also noticea;ble for the absence of any show notes or other artifices so common among artists of minor itnportiance. The beautiful singer seemed to throw her whp.le soul into the rendering, and 'the result was distinct success o'li the. part of the singer, and hearty applause from a most appreciative audience. Again and again Miss Crossley bowed her acknowledgments, and at last responded with " Out' on the Kocks," a favourite num'ber with all the leading' contraltos, and one that suited this singer's voice to perfection. Loud and prolonged upplause followed. In the second, part Miss Crossley was set down for live short songs, but even this did not satisfy Hit' audience, who seemed almost conscienceless in their demand for encores. " Von ewiger Liebe" was a treat in softness of expression, and the beautiful simplicity of " The Silver King'" won all hearts. Instead of •• Philis et * Croydon," a minuet, the cooii song " Mighty Like a Hose'' was given in. perfect style. With each number the audience became more enthusiastic, and "Mighty Like a Hose" was twice rodemanded. "Oh that We Two were Maying" was delivered in the lower register, and evoked a further demand for more. The last vers? was repe-at'cd. There was an "Oliver Twist" sentiment in the audience, lor when " The Four-leaf Clover" Had been sung, and Miss Crossley further gave " Bide a Wee" with great depth of feeling, and followed that with a perfectly intoned rendering of the coon song " Ma CurlyHead'cd Daiby," the demands for repetition were stronger than ever, amd after reiKsati'ng a portion of the 1-awt-iramed item the singer had to u'g-ai'ii' appear to bow acknowledgments a iid receive lovely floral tributes. " Love the Pedlar" was to have been her last item, but after recalls the audience still seemed expoctant, and kept their seats. .Loud applause greeted the opening' notes of the accompaniment of " Home, Sweet Home," and the audience listened almost wiielMxirod to the strains of that well known and ever-favourite melody—sung as it htvd never been heard in New Plymouth before. It is useless to attempt to descrilte the beautiful singing of Miss Crossley—she is just a ■beautiful, womanly woman, and a perfect singier—that's all. All the HUralities necessary to a great singer are there, and developed to the full. Tlie other members of the company are all artists of groat repute. Mr Percy Grainger played several pianoforte solos during the evening, including "In 011 a Dale" (Greig), " Honda Capriccioso" (Beethoven), and " Military March" (Schubert Tansigi), and also figured in a duet, piano and violin, " Sonata in (J" (RuWinstein) with Mr Jacques Jacofbs. Mr Grainger was recalled on two occasions, once just before the first upiwarance of Miss Crossley, the great attraction. I lis technique was splendid, and he is unid'Oiilh'tedly a finished executant. Mr Jacobs was soon recognised as a tainted violinist. He played several very fine pieces, and gaiined hearty applause and a recall on every appearance. His playing generally was chHiacterlsoil by iierfect finish' his execution in trills 'ami rapid crescendo* and 'diminwiiidos being reniarkaWy clean. Mr Peterkin, the Uasso. was in good vo j CCi am , j great demand. His f, rst number, Ami. arm ye brave." from Judas Muccalmeus (Handel) ea(ned for him ti loud encore, amd ho responded I!'"' f ""'thing in a lighter vein, Off to Philadelphia," which suited the tastes of those who were unucwith the glories of the Htandelian composition. In the second part of the programme Mr IV terkm M ' iU -e ■• The Sailor's Grave " with fine elToct, and in answer to the unanimous demand he- contributed Long Ago" ~nd "Aleak" from A essager s ojiera Mirette, and this 'had to be repeated before tlie audience would allow him to retire The "accompaniments wore played' by Tim I '^ ohe ? k i hl * manner.