ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 17, 14 July 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

< >ss I rn n\ Now I'lvnimiih was favored a«ain last ■lighL with ii concert by that line bariLonc singer, M. Ktigcne Osipofl', and to its credit- let it he said that ite people attended in large numbers to get another taste of the beauties of his song. M. Ossipolf is not satisfied with living merely a taste. He treats his audiences most liberally in the matter of programme numbers and of encores, and items of rare merit follow one another the night through in rapid succession. The same singer, truly, but a programme of infinite variety. M. Os-. sipoff tells (lie stories in his songs unmistakably. Whatever the language in which the song is cruched, the gradations of his voice, the excellent phrasing and coloring of sentiment, make his language plain to the musically-minded. It is the language of music and poetry, the language of song. <M. Ossipoff has lost none of his freshness, none of his verve, none of his artistic temperament, and none of his popularity since his previous' visits to {few Plymouth, He must' nave been well pleased with the 'warmth of his reception. Hearty applause followed each item, and "so well was the musical palate of the people suited that they seemed almost insatiable in their demand for encores—a demand that was. met most liberally by the singer." His arioso, "From Love's Victory," was one of the gems of the evening, but the dramatic ''Toreador's Song" from "Car : men," and "Blow, thou Winter Wind" (Sargent) were also loudly re-<lemanded, the interpretation giving the audience the keenest enjoyment. Other numbers were "Sultana Cavatina" (Artimopki), "Spanish Serenade" (ReckkoonofT), and two delightful folk songs. Miss Renee Lees, who accompanied M. Ossipoff in all his numbers, also-sang with him in a duet, "II Peseatori," which was most artistically treated, and heartily en cored. Miss Lees is just about perfec tion in the art-of accompaniment, ani had memorised her scores for the whol< programme. Miss Warren, of New Plymouth earned a most insistent encore for a de lightful rendering of the pianoforte solo I "Lorely" (Seeling), her technique bein) j splendid, and her manipulation also per

haps the finest achieved by any New Plymouth pianiatc on the local stage for years past. Miss Warren was equally suecessfiU with Liszt's "12th Rhapsodie." Sh» was associated in two duets with Miss Constance Leatham, and the audi- < nee was highly phased with the magterly skill displayed and the manner in which the thoughts and ideals of SchuI herb rind Moskowski were interpreted, , the selections being the "Finale C Minor , Symphony," by the one great composer, and n "Spanish Danse" bv the other. The nndience was glad to have this op- '. port'mity of appreciating the skill and . ability of two very correct pianoforte, ; players. , M. Qssipoff sings again to-night, and , his programme is advertised elsewhere , in thin, issue. Beethoven's in r Flat" is to be played by the Misses WarI reri arid Leatham as a duo on two Bechstein pianos.

1 A TALE OP TWO CITIES. At the Theatre Royal on Saturday, at the matinee of the Ro.wl Pictures, Dickens' great, work, "A. Talc of Two' Cities," will be presented. This splendid story of the French Revolution of 1770 should prove a grea^drawing card for the management. Most boolc-lovers are acquainted with the story as written by Dickens, but many are not. and to recall the characters here' will refresh the memory of those that-have read.it and give others that have not some idea of the great possibilities of this great work as a cinematograph picture full of thrilling incidents and dramatic power. The cast of characters arc all well acted, and are as follows:—Sydney Carton, a London barrister, an able hut idle man, and jackal to Mr. Stryver; Roger Cly, an Old Bailey spy; Jerry Cluncher, son of the preceding; Monsieur Ernest Dafarge, keeper of a wine shop in Paris, and ring-leader of the Revolutionists in the suburb of St. Antoine; Monsieur Theophile Gabelle, a postmaster; Gaspnrd, an assassin; Jacques Four, a name assumed by Dafarge; Jacques Five, an associate of Dafrage, a* mender ofVoads, afterwards a wood-sawyer; Joe, a coachman; Mr. Jarvis Lorry, a confidential clerk at Telluson's Bank, and a.friend of the Manettes; Dr. Alexander Mancttej a physician of Paris confined for many years in the Bastille; Solomon Pross, alais John Barsard, a spy an secret informer, afterwards a turnkey in the

[ Conciergerie in Paris; Marquis'St. Ever- : monde, (1) a proud and oppressive no- [ bleman, twin brother of the following, j joint inheritor and successor of the elder Marquis, and Uncle of Charles* St. Evermonde; Marquis St. Evermonde (2), twin brother of the preceding, and father of Charles St. Evermonde; Charles St. Evermonde. a French emigre, called Charles Darnay, son of the preceding; Mr. Stryver, a London barrister; Tom. coachman of the Dover mail; Mrs. ClUrt' cher, wife of Jerry Clneher; Madame Therese Defarge, wife of Monsieur Defarge, and leader of the St. Antoine rabble of women; Lucie Manette, daughter of Dr. Manette; Miss Pross, maid to Lucie Manette; Marquise St. Evremondc, wife of the Marquis St. Evremonde (2); Lucie :■ St. Evremonde, daughter of Charles St. Evremonde; and The Vengeance, a leading Revolutionist among the St. Antoine women. The scenes in the picture are all faithfully produced, and include the Dover Mail, the shoemaker's shop, the gre.it court scene, the stoppage at tho fountain, Tellson's Bank, the wine-shop, the prison tribunal, Dr. Manette in the Bastillp. street rating, etc. This picture is 1)000 feet in length, and takes one hour to project, and is said to be the Vitagraph Company's greatest achievement. This attraction 'Will be supported by a complete change of programme, and by special request Pathe's Australian Gazette will be repeated. This picture embraces scenes of Melbourne on Coronation Day, and the illuminations. Those desiring to see tins star programme would do well to book their seats at Hoffmann's, as this selection will only be presented on Saturday (afternoon and evening) ond Monday evening.

SAUNDERS' PICTURES. Last, night's splendid set of films drew |t good nndience to Whitclcy Hall. I he beautiful drama, '■Franccsca Di Rimniiiii," arranged as it is in a'most gorgeous setting, found special favor. Another instructive and highly interesting ■■"■' Meet is that depicting -Snakes and their Habits." Altogether the programme is one that will be remembered with much favor. To-night will >« the last opportunity of witnessing the present set. Something extra special is being arranged tor Saturday, and the matinee in the afternoon and the evening performance will provide a surprise packet for all who attend •