ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2508, 22 May 1909, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT

It was pleasing to see that the public of Gisborne remembered, in a most flattering manner, the many services that Miss Mellhone has rendered upon the concert platform; for His Majesty's Theatre was crowded to excess last evening, when a complimentary concert was tendered to that lady on her return home. The programme submitted was carefully chosen, while special interest was lent by the presence of Madame Casier, a lyric soprano, .with a voice of the purest quality and exceptional range; and Mr. Percy Adair, the well-known and promising young baritone. Madame Casier was in splendid voice, and sang with exquisite- charm Batten’s “April Morn.” Her notes were full, rich, and well rounded) and she showed how skilled she is in ’her art by her perfect enunciation, her expression and the mellowness of her notes in the middle and higher registers, especially in tiie difficult trills. Needless to say the audience demanded an encore, and Madame Casier responded with“ Carissima.” She selected for her second number two of Gounod’s compositions, directly opposite in color, but both entirely suited to her voice. These were “Ave Maria,” a truly fine effort, into ivhich Madame Casier put much expression and sympathy; and ‘‘The Serenade,” probably Gounod’s most melodious song, and the singer at once won the attention of the audience by her fine rendering, of the melody. The serenade was perfectly sung, especially the sotto voce parts, where during the trilLs Madame Casier showed the great flexibility of her voice. The audience recalled the artist again and again, and she was forced to repeat the last portion of the “Serenade.” Mr. Percy Adair possesses a baritone voice of pleasing freshness and great rotundity, which, unlike many amateurs, he knows how to use to the best advantage. He was heard in Teresa de Reigo’s "Happy Song.” The number was very successful, the higher notes were well sustained, and the song interpreted with fine expression. An encore was demanded, and Mr. Adair sang “Birth of Morn."” Mrs. Phil. Barry, was as a singer is so popular in Gisborne that praise is not required, was in good voice, and for her first number chose Emerson Jones’ "The Song the Angeis Sing,” and for an encore “0 Steer My Bark.” In the unavoidable absence of Te Raugi Pai. Mrs. Barry filled the vacancy, and sang "Allan Water” with fine effect. Mr. Johnston Brown sang two of Wallace’s freebooter songs. “The Rebel” and "The Cradle Song,” and in the second part of the programme recited Mrs. Heman’s poem, “Becalmed,” for which he received a well deserved encore. Mr. M. Lewis contributed two comic songs. Mr. H. J. Grieve sang Stephen Adams’ song, “The Garonne’ 7 ; Mr. Grimshaw gave Balfe’s ever popular “Come into the Garden, Maud” ;and Mr. R. Mitchell ‘T ! he Scent of the Lillies.” Master M. Vita played Mozart’s Andante movement as a flute solo. An encore was demanded for this number, and Master Vita played Formen’s Allegro movement for the flute, “Springtide.” The Gisborne Orchestral Society, under the baton of Mr. M. L. Foster, played selections from the light operas, “The Girls of Cottenberg” and “Mis.s Hook of Holland,” and Messrs Vita Bros, contributed a harp, violin, and flute accompaniment to Madame Casiers numbers in the second part of the programme. with Miss Mellhone at the organ. The accompanists, were Mrs. M. L. Foster. Miss Mellhone, and Mr. Gittos. The City Band played selections in front of the theatre previous to the concert, and Messrs Clirisp and Sons kindly lent the organ and grand piano used.* Mr. A. F. Kennedy acted as stage manager, and Mr. J. Adair as secretary, and to both gentlemen no small share of the credit for the success of tlie concert is due.