MISS BUCKMAN'S CONCERT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 207, 29 February 1912, Page 4

MISS BUCKMAN'S CONCERT.

A TRIMPHANT SUCCESS. When Miss B'uckman sung her last number in the Theatre Royal last evening there was a tumult of applause for her magnificent rendering 6f Toati'e "Good-bye," but no one showed any inclination to, leave the theatre. Miss Buckman had "captured New Plymouth. With exquisite art therefore, she sung to the souls of the people in "Home Sweet Home," the old, yet ever new gem, noble in its simplicity and touching in its appeal. To anyone who has watched the unfolding of Miss Buckman's art, 'and who knew that she would ajShieve triumphs, it was delightful to watch the audience abandon themselves to wholesouled enjoyment. Throughout the long programme time was an intensity of attention and an unrestrained recognition of its many beauties.

Miss Buckman opened with the famous "Jewel Song" from "Faust," and nothing better could have been chosen to exhibit, not only the technical quality of. hei; singing, but the beauty of the voice and the 5 temperament of the singer. At once i then it was evident: that time had greatly enriched the singer's art, and this everyone present instantly recognised. The audience was taken by storm, and the singer was recalled again and again. Miss Buckman adds a very special charm to everything she sings- by the perfection of her enunciation and the grace of her method. She is sweet, natural and winsome, and the magnetism, of the woman is a wonderful aid. It way'evident that the people waited eagerly for Alfred Hill's very beautiful "Waiata Maori." There was a tender aptniess in the" way the singer gave this sjonjr that moved the audience visibly. Miss Buckman Is able to illustrate with delightful sufiveness the intention of the composer and' the writer of the words, interpreting them with great feeling; It is- already rrecognised that the "Poi Song," by the same composer, is a work of genius. It has an enchantment, an abandon, an appeal that can only her illustrated by a finger temperamentally capable of feeling it. Miss Buckman sung this number delightfully, liquid Maori words flowing naturally, little gems of sound eagerly picked up by an audience that was enraptured. Miss Buckman for her art was penalised, and had to extend her programme greatly. Many magnificent floral tributes were handed to i her, and the audiencp showed almost an affectionate admiration ■of the New Plymouth girl who had won a place in the firmament of «rt, because she so thoroughly deserves it. Mr. Herbert Bloy, the violinist with the company, was a complete surprise. He reached for the audience witty his first number (the "Lewende" of Wiepiawski), and made them his slaves. There is an intimacy between the player and his instrument that explains the player's masterc. At the triumphant conclusion: of tl® first number the audience clamored magnificently, Here was a man who, without the least suspicion 'of "fireworks," without any mannerism, without any apparent conceit, had profoundly stirred a people who are unjustly accused of being: "cold." It is only a question of dragging the people out. Whien they are out they know gold from pinchbeck. This remarkable recognition 1 last night was quite as pleasing a feature as the art that inspired it. Mr. Bloy has the rare quality of tenderness. His technique is masterly, but he knows exactly what to do to make his heart sing through the strings of his fiddle. He expresses the emotions truly, and the pe'ople understand. In the "Ave Maria" of Gounod the violinist displayed an alluring power of interpretation, and in contrast he played with delightful sprightliness a "Gavotte" (Gossee), There , was ho doubt about what thie people thought of Mr. Bloy. They expressed unanimous delight. One must not .forget that in . the "Waiata Maori," Miss Buckman was splendily aided by ladies? voices "off," and very sweet ivoicies they were. Miss Buckman sang with Mr. Hamilton Hodges the favorably < known baritone, Pielisser's duet "Awake." Mr. Hodges semed to lack absolute familiarity with the number, which, however, wasf capably sung. He sang lexcelleflty Foote's "Requiem,"'and was joyfully applauded for his "Mavouraeen." Mr. Hodges is heard at his best in heroic songs and those small love i genjs that are nowadays so fashionable,, for his voice has the good , quality of emotion. "Son of Mine" (Wallace) was altogether excellent for its ex-' pression and dramatic force, and "The ' Rebel" (also by Wallace) was given with. an abandon quite heartstirring. Mr. Arthur Carbines was at the piano. Asa,n accompanyist he is sympathetic and understanding, his obvious and artistic idea being that he is there to lenrich the effect of the singer's voice. He played the dashing Marche Hongroise" with a vigor and accomplishment well worthy of the fine music, and tho very beautiful "Scherzo" of Wallenhaup was given with musieianly care.