MR. HARRY DEARTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1919, Page 8

MR. HARRY DEARTH.

SUCCESSFUL INITIAL CONCERT. While the audience that Mr. Harry Dearth faced for his opening concert in New Plymouth at the Empire Theatre last night was not as large as might have been expected, those who were present showed their appreciation of his singing in no unmistakeable manner. Mr. Dearth's programme last night was entirely of ballad selection, a class of music to which he is undoubtedly suited and which appealed to the audience. His voice is one of considerable compass and flexibility. His songs were all sung with studied appreciation of the sentiment of each. He showed a fine comprehension of the light and more robust effects possible in the various selections, and whether it was in a mood of rollicking hilarity or in a tender and touching strain, each varying tone was well exemplified in Mr. Dearth's treatment of his numbers. He .has an entirely unconventional deportment on the platform, and an IrreaMti>.le smile that places him on the best of terms with his hearers from his first appearance. Last night his programme included Cowen's "Onaway Awake," a bracket including "The Blind Ploughman" (Con-mgsby-Clarke), and "Mandalay" (Hedgecock), and Sanderson's "The Company Sergt.-Major." Mr. Dearth created instant enthusiasm with his first number, and each time he appeared he was recalled twice, his encore numbers including, among others "Old Barty" (Grant), "Fortune Hunters" (Willeby), "The Banjo Song," and "Tommy Lad" (Margetson). He had to decline further demands for more songs. Mr. Dearth is ably supported by Madame Marie Power (contralto) whose best number last night was Del difficult "Sink Red Sun," for which "she was recalled twice, and sang "I Passed By Your Window" (Brake), and "The Little Silver Ring" (Charninade). Mr. Harold Beck ('cellist), who rs not a stranger to New Plymouth, was given a very good reception, which was well deserved, his playing being of a most sympathetic character. His items included "Traumeri" (Schumann), and a schcrzzo by Van Goens, and a selection from Popper's "Spanish Dances." He was encored on each occasion, and on the latter he played the familiar "Pappitom," by Popper. In company with Miss Carlien Jurs (pianiste), he also [played the duet "Arlequin," by Popper, | and in response to an encore they oave an arrangement of the well-known I Bach air for the G. string. In addition .to playing "the accompaniments m a very pleasing manner, Miss Jurs also .contributed the "Air de Ballet" | (Cbamma'de), as a solo, and for an enI core a "Bersucci" by Greigg. ; The company .appears again to-night [ lor the last time on their present visit to New Plymouth.