The Amy Castles Concerts

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 27, 12 July 1923, Page 32

The Amy Castles Concerts

Under date July 6, our Auckland correspondent supplies the following particulars regarding the concerts given by Miss Amy Castles in the northern city: His Majesty's Theatre was well attended last evening, when the third programme of the Amy Castles series of concerts was presented. The enthusiasm aroused was considerable, and double recalls were frequent. The diva submitted the brightest and most impressive numbers from her operatic repertoire, and held the close attention of her hearers throughout. Opening with the "Air du Livre" from Thomas' "Hamlet," she gave a notable declamation of this fine scene. That masterpiece of expressive recitative, "One Fine Day," from Puccini's "Madame Butterfly," found all its original charm revived at the prima donna's hands. Mimi's' expressive air, "They Call Me Mimi," from Act I. of Puccini's "La Boheme," was another excerpt of importance and charm. Among Miss Castles' smaller songs may be mentioned "Before the Crucifix" (La Forge), "To You" (Rodenbeck), and the closing i "The Poet and the Nightingale" (Lehmann), with its exquisitely-voiced birdlike trills. There was, of course, the usual demonstration at the close, which gave the popular singer other opportunities to still further delight her admirers. Equally complimentary were the critiques regarding the other members of the company— Eileen Castles, Signor Alberto Torzillo, and Mr Charles Tuckwell.