BEATRICE VARTHA CONCERT.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 961, 6 August 1903, Page 2

BEATRICE VARTHA CONCERT.

A BRILLIANT SUCCESS. j Last night at the Theatre Royal a large and appreciative audience groeted Miss Beatrice Yartha, tho renowned piano virtuoso and her concert party, who presented a programme of excellent music. The concert commenced with the popular vocal duet, 11 Life’s Dream is O’er ” (Asher), which was rendered in good style by Miss Gower and Mr Mitchell. The voices blended harmoniously throughout, and the pioce was much appreciated. Miss Gower, who is the possessor of a very sweet mezzo soprano voice, gave a charmI ing rendering of Cowen’s “ Swallows,” which allowed the singer ample scope to display the flexibility and culture of her voice. In response to au enthusiastic encore she sang “ Sally Horner ” in a very I pleasing manner. In the second part of : the programme this young lady sang “The | Vainkas Song ” with great effect, the j florid passages being sung perfectly. Au I encore being undeniable she contributed I “ Ma Curly Headed Babby ” (Clutsam), which was highly appreciated. Mr Mitchell, who has a very pleasing tenor voice, sang “ Tho Romany Las 3 ” (Adams), which was a most enjoyable item. His rich and full voico delighted the audience, and as an encore ho gave in good style “ Rosemary ” (Hill). Lator on ho sang “ 0 Dry Those Tears.” The song suited his voico admirably, and in response to an enthusiastic recall, he rendered “ The Mandoline Player,” His singing throughout showed him to have good knowledge of phrasing and enunciation. Miss Narelle, who has a rich contralto voice of oonsidorable range, sang a beautiful song entitled “ Till Death,” This young ladies’ notes are full and rich, and the audienoe showed their appreciation and enthusiasm by demanding an encore, in response to which “ Absence makes the heart grow fonder ” was rendered with good effect and style. In the second part of the programme Miss Narelle sang a taking song, « Always,” which suited her rioh voice. Miss Narelle has a pleasing manner, and her distinct and dear articulation highly pleased the appreciative audience. Mr Francis sang in a unique manner, “ The Bedouin Love Song,” which immediately took with the audience. Miss Vartha received a hearty reception, and undoubtedly her brilliant playing was the principal feature of the evening. In the first part Miss Yartha favored the audience with Chopin’s beautiful Nocturne in E flat, in the rendering of which Miss Vartha proved to the audience that she is a pianiste of exceptional merit. In response to a vociferous encore, she played in great style “ The Faust Waltz,” arranged by Lizst. In this item Miss Vartha showed great wrist power and perfection of touch, which is only attained by the training of many years. The rendering of “ The Midsummer Night’s Dream ” was undoubtedly the gem of the evening. This is really one of Miss Vartha’s masterpieces, and proves jjuite a revelation in pianoforte playing to lovers of that instrument. Miss Vartha, in the second part of the programme, selected from her wonderful memory repertoire Schubert's “ Serenade,” Mascgni’s “ Serenade," Gottschalk’s 11 Fremolo,” and various other encore pieces, which throughout were keenly listened to by her admiring audience. For the performance Miss Beatrice Vartha personally selected a very fine Spencer piano, whioh added greatly to the success of the oonoort.

An apology was made for the absence of Herr Lehman and Miss Tansley, who, owing to the steamer leaving Napier so suddenly, had lost their passage. A second concert will be held to-morrow night, when Herr Lehman will bo present to take part in an excellent programme which has been arranged at a nominal charge of Is to all parts of tho house, which we trust will he a bumper pne, We would advise all lovers of music who did not avail themselves of last night’s opportunity to attend the concert to-morrow evening,