THE RITA-RADCLIFF CONCERT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1982, 5 May 1885, Page 2

THE RITA-RADCLIFF CONCERT.

The first of the concerts promised by Mr J. Radcliff, and Madame Paulina Rita was given at the Theatre Royal last night. There was a very fair attendance, despite the miserably wet and wintry weather. The downpour of rain was so heavy that it at times spoilt the effect of the music, there being a most annoying rattling on the roof. Mr .Radcliffe is undoubtedly a great musical genius, and a perfect master on all reed instruments, How lie produces the various sounds was a pujale to all flute players present, and there is no doubt that his clever manipulation of the instruments, of bygone days as well as of the present, afforded a most interesting subject for local flautists and lovers of music.' Mr 'Radcliff also delivered a lecture on reed instruments, the musical items, of which there was a large number, being interspersed. He told some amusing anecdoteß, and made himself, so to speak, the friend of his audience in a very few minutes. We could easily fill several columns with his lecture and notes on the vocal and instrumental music, but space forbids any extended notice. Mr Radcliffe opened the programme with "Pipes of the earliest ages", and Mr Clutsam (pianist) followed with the "March Hengroise", for which he was loudly' applauded. Madame Rita then sang "The bird that came in Spring", a song expressly composed for her by Sir Julius Benedict, being accompanied on the flute by Mr Radcliff. She has a splendid soprano voice, audits blending with the flute was simply marvellous. Often and often it was utterly impossible to say which was voice and which was fluto. The song was rapturously encored, being responded to with "Some day". Mr Radcliff having devoted o few minutes to " Pipes of the Middle Ages" gave a solo " Fantasia on Scotch airs" a magnificent rendition, for which it was no wonder that he was encorod. The " Ave Maria" on a prelude by Bach, given by Madame Rita, Mr Radcliff, and Mr Clutianv. was a rare treat,, but it wsb. spoiled •'.■ by- a very heavy

downpour of rain on, the roof. Mr Clutsam opened part'two with the " Grand Vake" by Tito Mattel, and was encored. Mr Radcliff was most deservedly encored for his splendid execution of " Home, Sweet Home," with a number of variations. This was folldwed byfedaine Rita singing " Lb, here fcho.Gontle'Lark," to a flute accompaniment. , Her wonderfully sweet and melodious voice sustained all the difficult variations', with wonderful clearness and ease, and the applause which' followed the concluding notes proved what an impression She had made on her audience. Wo have' 1 heard good music in Masterton on many previous l occasions, but such perfection has never' before been approached in the place. The encore was responded to with an operatic selection. Mr Badcliff brought the programme to a close with an Irish fantasia, on'the cylinder flute, for which, he was loudly applauded. In concluding, this notice we must ask our readers to remember that the last performance will be given this evening, and assure them that those who do not attend -.will, miss the. greatest musical treat over presented in' Masterton. , The company appears at Greytown to-morrow.