Amusements.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1971, 29 April 1875, Page 2

Amusements.

ACADEMY OF MUSIC

Mr Charles Clark appeared again last evening in the above place of amusement, and was assisted by Miss Christian, one of the most brilliant lady vocalists that has appeared before, the public of New Zealand. Though the fame of this lady preceded her arrival at the Thames, the which was a mere chance circumstance, wo were scarcely prepared to hear vocal powers so magnificent as those possessed by Miss Christian,'who'is also highly accomplished in the art of singing. It was a treat such as we are seldom permitted to enjoy, and it is much to be regretted that the lady's sojourn here should have been of such exceedingly short duration. In addition to its natural beauty, her voice is powerful and of great compass: and (i marvellous sweet music " i?. the result. "The beating of my own heart" was rendered with great feeling and expression, and called forth loud plaudits from a numerous and appreciative audience. Miss Christian gracefully acceded to the enthusiastic calls which greeted her retirement at the conclusion of the son*, and sang " Oh! take me to thy Jiieart again. 1' in a manner (if we may be pardoned the expression) truly Christianlike. That beautiful Irish ballad, "Kathleen Mavourneen,'\and;" Once Again," were also among the pieces executed by Miss Christian. The latter was so loudly applauded as to indude the charming canlatrice to make a reappearance, and to give " Come, back to ISrin." Those who have been fortunate enough to • have heard Miss Christian will not be in the least surprised at the sensation which her performances have invariably created wherever and whenever she has appeared. Possessed of a pleasing and lady-like appearanco, and a voice which would shame many of the natural songsters of the air, it is not to be wondered at in the least that her reputation has increased so rapidly, and in so short a time. For to the colonies, Miss Christian has not been long known. One of the chief virtues of this lady's singing (and which we had almost omitted to remark upon) is her peculiarly distinct enunciation. Not a word escapes the ear—her articulation is perfect. This is. not a common virtue. The words of a song-are by too many artistes totally disregarded as being in no way to be considered, the music to them being the all-important, paramount consideration. Such aa impression, however, is most erroneous, and those vocalists who hold opinions of the kind, may justly be looked upon as animated musical boxes. It is sincerely hoped that Miss Christian will at s.ome future time reappear at the Thames. We may remark that Mr It. A. B. Owen played the accompaniments in his best style. Mr Clark was, to use a hackneyed phrase, " a host in himself." When, however, it is remembered that that gentleman is ia the constant habit of entertaining very largo audiences quite unaided, there will appear nothing remarkable in such a statement. He performed one of the most difficult feats in the art of elocution that is possible, in the recital of the adventures of Mr Pickwick and his companions, when that gentleman " goes a-shooting." Dialogue recitaticn is most difficult, especially in a scene made so famous as that which Mr Clark chose for his subject, and to which but one man on earth (when he lived) could give proper expression, and that man, Charles Dickens himself. Mr Clark, however, succeeded admirably, and excited the risible sensibilities of his hearers, as Mr Clark best knows how. He appeared to the greatest advantage, as it seemed to the writer, in the portrayal of the character of Sam Weller, the immortal philosopher and prince of faithful valets. The eccentricities and peculiar humour of that strange young man—whose education his father had carefully provided for by permitting him to run in the streets—were very faithfully produced, to the great amusement of all present. But the whole scene was a huge task, and far more difficult than anything performed by Mr Clark during the eveming.- " The return of Enoch Arden," a pathetic story by the poet Laureate, was a masterpiec9 of elocution, and it may safely be asserted that there were few of the mixed assemblage who were not in different degrees affected by Mr Clark's recital of the sad, pathetic story; which told of _a good life's devotion, and the unselfish death of a rough but noble man. " Bob Cratchit's Christmas dinner," too, was described as, we may presume to think, the great author of the picture would be pleased to see it described. The homely family wore portrayed to the life. Their happy content in,, the season of rejoicing, which reached even unto poor crippled little Tiny Tim, was made >ividly apparent. There was the goose, in the preparation of which stupendous feast the brains of all the Cratchits had been concentrated, in the glory of a Christmas feast; there was the inevitable padding, the consumption of which had been looked forward to so ambitiously by the Cratchit off-shoots, one and all; there was the poor but happy family—perfect' emblem of a numerous class —in visible form, enjoying themselves. then to their hearts' content. Mr Clark's last appearance was made in " The Boots of the Holly-tree Inn," another sketch taken from the Christmas Carols by Charles Dickens, and, from the manner in which that gentleman related the story of Boots, it seemed to be a favorite piece, as indeed it is to many 'others of Dickens's admirers. The entertainment was a most complete success, and should Mr Clark ever again visit the Thames, he may depend upon the appreciation of the public.