REMENYI.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1980, 2 May 1885, Page 2

REMENYI.

M. Remenyi, the celebrated' violinist, of whom so much has been heard of late, appeared with a small company at the Theatre Royal last night. The weather was exceedingly unfavorable, but there was, notwithstanding, a very good house. In noticing a programme like that of M, Remenyi it is almost a matter of impossibility to convey a correct idea of his execution. In his fantasia on "The Huguenots," (his own composition) with which lie opened, he left some doubt 011 the minds of his audience, for, whilosoine parts were ,)laycd with a good deal of spirit, and required wonderful lingering, there were others that did n»t appear to possess any special merit But he seemed to rise as he proceeded, and when he wound up with the " Marseillaise" lie simply electrified everybody, aud numbers got 011 their feet with excitement. Iu response to an encore to the "Huguenots" lie played fantasias on several melodies, inlcuding " Auld Robin Gray." Here he produced the most wonderful harmonies, and it was impossible to comprehend how all such sounds could como from an instrument, Atone time the notes were those, of a flute, then a piccolo seemed to be playing, and again the soft notes of an organ seemed to swell out. On other occasions the audience was highly amused by hearing " The Campbells are coming" in unmistakable bag-pipe notes, oven the apparently indispensable drone which, we presume, represents the bass, being there. In M, Remenyi's hands, expressions of feeling are given that are simply impossible on other instruments, and which would bo considered impossible on the violin .by those who have not heard a player who has • attained such a high degreo of proficiency. His double and treble stopping is beyond comprehepi 011, so varied are the combinations he produces. His notes are always clear and in tapid pianissimo movements they arc iiiarvollouß. The same may be said of his staccato playing, There seems to bo scarcely,a limit to the compass of. his in-

atrument, because lie plays through the whole • scale in falsetto, and again in what may .be termed a double falsetto, His Hungarian melodies were extremely and fantastic, and the " Oappriccio" (Paganini), gave him an opportunity for displaying the full power of his instiument, It was in response toan encoretothis.thatheplayed the "Marseillaise," the rendition of which will never be forgotten by those who heard it. -M. Remenyi is accompanied by Miss Hattie B, Downing, who possesses a sweet and powerful soprano voice, Ml 1 Rudolph Himmer, who is a very good tenor, and Mr Isidore Luckstonn pianist. Miss Downing sang the aria "Nonfu Sogno," from I Lombard!, and being encored, gave "AnnieLaurie,"and afterwards " Dreaming." Mi'. Himmer gave "The Angel at the Window,"oneofßertold Tours' best songs, for which he was encored, and "Resolution" (Lassen) for which lie was also encored, giving in response "Over the Hills and Far Away." In conclusion Miss Downing and Mr Hinnner rendered a duet, "A Night jn Venice," (Lucantoni.) Our readers will be pleased to learn that the Company has not proceeded through the Forty-Mile Bush to-day, as originally intended, but that, by special request, they have remained in Masterton for the purpose of giving another conceit tonight.