JESSIE MACLACHLAN CONCERTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12631, 19 October 1905, Page 2

JESSIE MACLACHLAN CONCERTS

TO-NIGHT

Members of the Caledonian Society, musical enthusiasts, and well-wisher* are invited to assemble at the railway station to-day at 12.30 p.m. for the purpose of extending a hearty welcome to the above distinguished vocalist on this her first visit to Wanganui. Scotch settlers from all over the district have notified their intention of attending iho concerts, which promise to be a real "gathering o' the clans." Mr. R. K. Simpson, president of the local Caledonian Society, will welcome the artist and her talented company, on beuaJ.-. of the natives of Caledonia, and we understand that Mr. R. C. Bruce, tho well known Scottish orator, will aso be present. The occasion is one well worthy of the attention of lovers of music, and particularly of those who have a weakness for ballad singing. ! n this particular branch] of the vocal a:.* 'Miss Maclachlan is without a peer in the world. On this subject the Melbourne "Age," whose critic is an undoubted authority, says:— Among the ballad singers who nav-i! visited the Australian States it is doubtful whether any created more intense enthusiasm than that which was aroused at tne Town Hall last night by the Scottish prima donna, Miss Jessie Maclachlan. It was only natural that this should have been so, tor, apart from tho fact that the distinguished soprano appealed by her "message" to the national spirit of her own people, there was that in her sing.iijz, which could not fail to delight and move those of other races by reason of the high artistic excellence of her performances. Miss Maclachlan's voice is, throughout its fine range ; full of music, and is ever under control, the- expression varying truthfully with the changing themes. Now she is pouring forth with patriotic fervour the moving passages of a Jacobite song; now breathing pathos and humour into rustic reminiscences; and now, tenderly ,in dulcet pianissimo, singing a charming lullaby. Miss Maclachlan's first effort w-.m Bethune's folk song, "The Auld Scots Sangs," sung with a fervour that con veyed all the meaning of the words. The encore, "Comin 5 Through the Rye might have been expected. Few have sung it here with more captiva';irig sweetness and naturalness. It was in '-'Blue Bonnets," a Jacobite song by Scott, that the audience felt the chiel power of the visitor. One could in imagination see the picture that was pointed so vividly by the composer. The audience was deeply impressed by the singer's inspiring fervour. Prior to this the tender lullaby "Cronan" was given with much teeling, the melody being very sweetly rendered in the soft passages. Thou followed "Kiilarney," with "Barney O'Hea" as an extra, in which tho humour of the singer was cleverly demonstrated; the Gaelic songs, "Soraidh Slan le Fionn Airidh" and "Ho ro mo nighean dorm Bhoidheach" (McLeod), and "Loch Lomond." Concerning the latter, Miss Maclachlan told the story of the song, which is usually rendered as if it were anything bufc serious. It is really the farewell of a Highland soldier to his sweetheart •just prior to his execution, and thab the words "You'll tak' the high road and I'l ltak' the low road"oonvey a sad and pathetic meaning. In the recital, the "speaking" voice of the singer was used with great effect. Among the encore songs "Do ye mind Lang, Lang Syne" was greatly enjoyed. If Messrs. H. J. Jones and Sons shut this afternoon, the box plan will be open from 3' until 4.30 o'clock this afternoon at the Opera House. Tha doors will be open at 7.30, and.the concert wilL commence punctually at o o'clock.