ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2252, 25 July 1908, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE MALLINSON SONG RECITAL The largo audience that gathered in His Majesty’s Theatre last evening to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mallinson to Gisborne was afforded a musical treat, for the occasions are rare indeed when Gisborne audiences are privileged to hear a singer who has gained a high English and European reputation, and to lieaiva gifted composer present the result of his labors in such perfect style as was done on this occasion. Mrs. Malliuson’s first number was five bracketed songs composed by Mr. Mallinson. The singer showed that she possesses a soprano voice of quality, balance, and power, and was able at all times to give a correct interpretation of her husband’s work. The first item was the short song “Courage,” which served to show the dramatic power of , Mrs. Mallinson’s voice. '“To Me at My Fifth Floor Window” was more pleasing; its setting was quhint, and the singer’s voice was heard to advantage in the softer passages. “Over the Winter Eaves,” “A Birthday,” and “Slow, Horses, Slow” were also included in the bracket; the latter song being sung sotto voice, the .accompaniment reproducing the tramp of the horses’ hoofs with wonderful truth. The second bracket contained five songs by the same-composer,' “Eleanore,” “Rosebud,” ■ “The Message and the Song,” “Four by the Clock,” and “Suinmertide.” “Four by the Clock” was a charming composition, the accompaniment revealing in a subtle manner the striking of a clock, which gradually dies away as the song draws to a close. Mrs. Mallinson sang with expression, and the item was so delightful tha£ an encore was demanded, and tlio composer was called upon to bow liis acknowledgements. In the second part of the programme Mrs. Mallinson contributed two numbers, the first containing five bracketed songs and the second four. In the. sotting of Gillington’s poem “Infra Muros,” the songstress displayed •wonderful flexibility of voice, while two children's songs, “Bed in mer” and “Baby,” showed a softness of voice, and delicateness of expression extremely rare. The whole of Mrs. Mallinson’s songs were the compositions of Mr. Albert Mallinson, and each went to show that the composer possesses tv singular and enviable gift, an ability to set poetry to true music, and to vary his theme as occasion required, tile gifted singer and her husband receiving the heartiest applause. Miss llebe Kuesmann, a promising young violinist, gave pleasing interpretations of Hubay’s “Hejre Kati,” “Ave Maria” (Sclmbert-Wilhoinj) and “Zephyr” (Hubay). In tlio first number the soloist was a little faulty in the use of the bow , probably through nervousness, but as this was only temporary she was accorded an encore, and played “Berceuse Star” (Neruda). and as a second encore number Tschaikowsky’s “Chanson Trieste” or “Song of Sadness,” tlio expression being very fine. Mr William Robyns, a basso, sang “The Two Grenadiers” (Schumann), but as the music was in a baritone setting he was not heard to such advantage as in his second number “The Curfew” (Monk Gould), for which he received an encore. Miss Evelyn Wyman acted as accompanist to the violin solos, as well as to Mr. Robyns’ songs.