AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3090, 12 January 1909, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

ADA CROSSLEY'S CONCERT. Considerable interest is being taken in the visit to Masterton of the Australian contralto, Madame Ada Crossley, and the large number of seats that have already been reserved for to-morrow night's concert point to a record house. The visit of the distinguished singer and her brilliant company of concert artists, promises to be the greatest musical event that has ever happened in Masterton. Reports from Sydney and Melbourne are to the effect that Madame Crossley is at present in greater voice than ever she was. She fairly electrified her audiences in the big cities by her magnificent singing, and local music lovers can look forward to the richest musical treat they have yet enjoyed. A Sydney critic writer:—"lhe Australian contralto exhibited a touching beauty of voice in her encore number, 'When the Birds go North Again,' quite justifying our first night impression that her voice is fuller and richer than when she was j here rive years ago. The star reni derad for the first time here 'Sunshine 'and Storm.' The music is highly | effective, and the singer, richly sup'ported by Mr Harold Whittle ! (pianist), electrified the crowded j house. Mr John Harrison, the tenor of„ Madame Cros'sby's Company, ! possesses qualities that put him iml mediately at home with his audi- ' encer-. He is free from affectation, of any sort, and there is that about him that conveys the composers spirit almost as much as his theme of song." The Irish baritone, Mr Jas. Ryan, is said to be one of the finest vocalists yet heard in New Zealand. A feature of the concert here will be the reappearance of tha young Australian pianist, Mr Percy Grainger. He has improved beyond recognition, and his musical conception has broadened and developed. M. Leon Sametini is one of the leading violinists of the day. There are still a number of seats to be had at The Dresden, where fiva shilling tickets can be purchased. Half-crown and five shilling tickets can be pur chased at Miss Rive's. Madame Crossley will arrive by the mail train to-morrow morning, and shewill be welcomed at the railway station by the Mayor.

TITTELL BRUNE SEASON. The keynote of "Diana of Dobson's," to be produced on Friday evening by Miss TittelS Brune and J. C. Williamson's Dramatic Company, is found in the phase "Money is power," uttered by a sweated shop girl, Diana. The play resolves itself into an elaboration of the advantages of possessing cash, and the miseries that are the result of the lack of it. It has become fashionable for the playwright to discuss economics and preach sermons through the medium of his characters. Cicely Hamilton, in "Diana of Dobson's," in order to accentuate the gulf between th°. comfortably rich and the very poor, has written a comedy of contrast. To the sweated shop-girls, the victims uf the boarding-in-system, she has gone for her heroine, and no stronger indictment of the treatment of workman by their employers could be fuund than that which is uttered by Miss Tittell Brune as "Diana." The box plan is now on view at Miss Rive's.

"THE THIEF." At the Town Hall on Saturday and Monday next, Mr J. C. Williamson's Star Dramatic Combination will present "The Thief" and "Zira." "The Thief" is described as one of the strongest and most fascinating plays of modern times. It is an emotional drama in three acts, adapted from the French of Henri Bernstein, by C. Gordon Lennex. This vigorous play turns on the length? to which love of finery may lead a woman. The Company selected to interpret this great play and "Zira," which is of no less interest, is of a calibre that ensures successful presentation. The Company includes Miss Ola Humphrey and Mr Henry Kolker--one of America's leading romantic actors. The box plan will be opened at Miss Rive's to-morrow (Wednesday) morning;.

THE CHERNIAVSKI TRIO. Undoubtedly one of the most noteworthy events of the coming musical season will be the first appearance in New Zealand of the Brothers Cherniavski, whose reputation as musicians in London and the English provinces has grown during the last two seasons in a manner little short of amazing. Mr Edward Branscombe, so well known throughout the Dominion in connection with the Westminster Glee and Concert Party, is directing the Cherniavski Concerts, and Tuesday, January 19th, has been fixed for their appearance in Master ton.