MISS AMY CASTLES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10184, 9 March 1911, Page 5

MISS AMY CASTLES

AT THE MASTERTON TOWN HALL.

The appearance at the Town Hall last evening of Miss Amy Castles, the brilliant Australian singer, whose operatic work has for some j-ears past j delighted immense audiences in every I part of the Australasian colonies, n'a- ! turally created enthusiasm, and the reception she was accorded in Master-ton-was flattering in the highest'degree. Miss Castles is possessed of a fascinating stage personality, and this, combined with her musical accomplishments, assured for her a. most cordial welcome. Of her vocal attainments, much has been written and said, but none who heard her last night could fail to appreciate the purity and excellence of her voice, the clearness of her enunciation, and the I refinement of her treatment of the charming numbers she produced. The aria with which the programme was in •, trpduced, viz., "A Fors e Lui," from J Verdi's "La Traviata," gave the audience a taste of the capacity of a finished artist under a test which was | admittedly severe. The flexibility of Miss Castle's soprano voice was clearly demonstrated in the impassion"d declamation which marks the climaxof this fine aria. With the very first number Miss Castles captivated her ."audience, and thereafter she was rapturously applauded. Her rendition .of 'Puccini's "One Fine Day," from "Madame Butterfly," was a triumphant vocal success, and her succeeding numbers, "Good-bye," "Little Irish Girl." "If No One Ever Marries Me." "May I Print a'Kiss," and "Love's Whisper," were charming interpretations of these airs, and the audience was imperious in its rcdehiands. By snecial request Miss Castles sang "Ave Marie." with .'cello obligate,- which was given a new and pathetic meaning by the talented vocalist, whose delicate rendering of each number appealed in a most remarkable manner to the emotions of the audience. Altogether, the singing of Miss Castles produced an impression .upon: her'auditors Avhich Kill not easily be removed. The popular soprano was supported by Herr Alexander Camp-, liausen, a baritone from Leipsig, who was heard to distinct advantage in the "Prologue from Pagliaeci," and the Toreador song from "Carmen." For both of/these mimbers he was rapturously encored. Her Hattenbach charmed the audience with his 'cello ' solos and accompaniments, whilst Mi William Conway contributed Mattel's Grand Waltz "Pipillons," and other items which completed a programme at once brilliant, fascinating and memorible. The piano used at the concert was a Lipp and Sohn, which" was supplied by the "Dresden Piano Company, who are sole agents for this j well-known makei. v