ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143473, 21 April 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

M. EUGENE OSSIPOFF. Owing no doubt to tho very unfavourable climatic conditions which prevailed last night tho attendance at tho Theatre Royal, where tho great Russian baritone M. Eugcno Ossipoff appeared, was not so largo as anticipated. When Ossipoff sang before New Plymouth audiences some months ago ho created quite a furore by his remarkable power and last night ho again forced tho admiring attention of his listeners, and after each song tho building echoed with enthusiastic outbursts of applause, such as few artists could command. Eugene Ossipoff loves to sing: ho loses himself in his art; no wonder ho is in the forefront of grand opera singers. One need not ho musical to appreciate Ossipoff’s singing; he appeals to all sections of his audience. One.could listen to Ossipoff all day and all night, he is so brilliant, he electrifies. After each of his programme numbers ho had to respond to double and triple encores, and even then his hearers were not satisfied, they longed for moro, and it was with evident reluctance they adjourned from , the Theatre after his final song. His first number wjis an aria from the opera “Ruslan,” and ns encoro numbers ho gave “My Lady Fair” and “Philosophy.” In each the great singer was seen in different moods, and in each ho was equally successful. Later he sang an aria from the opera “Demon,” and resjiondod with a “Russian Folk Song,” and “The Toreador:” Most people have heard this fine song rendered by different vocalists, many of whom arc in tho front rank, but none treat it as does Ossipoff; he gives it a new meaning. Other numbers were “I’d Speak no More,” two Siberian songs, “Because,” and “Will o’ tho Wisp,” given by special request. Brilliant bs all his renditions were, ho was perhaps more captivating in tho latter and “Tho Toreador” song than any. Miss Lilian Edmunds, who made her debut before a New Plymouth audience, created a most favourable impression, particularly in her latter numbers, and sho, too, had to respond to encore numbers on each appearance. “The Rosary” was finely rendered, and sho displayed exceptional ability in “Ave Maria,” and “0 Flower of all tho World,” exhibiting all the resources of her artistic vocation, and of her excellent enunciation. Miss Renneo Lees has all the qualities a successful accompaniste must possess, and her playing of the accompaniments formed quite a feature of the concert. Sho also sings well and was associated with M. Ossipoff in Grodsky’s “Nocturne,” which was a very pleasing item. Mr. Chas. Norman sustained his high reputation as an oboe soloist, and treated tho audience to a rare combination of technique and sympathetic art. His numbers were “II Bacio,” and “At the Ferry,” and as encores he gave “Robin Adair” and “Annie Laurie” respectively. Splendid as was the impression created by M. Ossipoff on his former visit with Mr. Lawrence Campbell, elocutionist, his wonderful singing last night and the feast of music provided by the othereminont artistes assisting him, earned still greater popularity, and all true lovers of music in Now Plymouth will not be satisfied with his reappearance to-nigbt only, but will hope to hoar him again at no distant date.