Madame Burton’s Company.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 553, 6 January 1891, Page 2

Madame Burton’s Company.

This eminent vocalist, with the band of talented artistes with whom she has been touring New Zealand during the last three months, arrived here yesterday from the South, on her way back to Auckland. She is tbe first prima donna contralto that ever visited the colonies; and people in this part of the world are so often doomed to disappointment when they go to hear artistes with a European reputation, because they do not come here until they have outlived it, that it is a real pleasure to welcome a musical celebrity who visits us while she is still young, and before her voice has begun to wane. Not twelve months have passed since the lady first set foot in Australia, but during that period she has sung with the greatest success in opera, concert and oratorio. Having travelled as principal contralto in the companies of Madame Adolina Patti and Mr Sims Reeves, a good deal was looked for; but expectation has been fully realised. Her first public appearance in Melbourne was with Mr Charles Santley, who engaged her for his second season, of which she was the chief attraction. After this the Melbourne Philharmonic Society organised three or four special concerts, in order that she might ba heard in oratorio. The ‘ Messiah ’ and ' Elijah ’ were produced, and the musical critic of the Melbourne Argus declared that the contralto music of the former oratorio had neve; been so well sung in the colonies befoce. Madame Burton then accepted an operatic engagement for six month*, in tbe hope that a grand opera company would be formed, on the lines of the Carl Rosa Company, of which she had baen donna contralto ; but this hope not being realised the lady determined to leave the stage and return to the concert platform. On this intention being made public she was at once engaged by Mr W. T. Best, the famous English organist, to sing at the recitals he was giving in tha Sydney Town Hall, the organ of which, said to be the largest in the world, he came out to open. Immense audiences assembled, and at his last recital, at which Madame Burton was the only vocalist, many hundreds were unable to obtain admission. On Mr Best preparing to tetutn to England, Madame Burton organised a concert company for New Zealand. The first concert was given in the Auckland Opera House on October 20, and the success ot the tour was at once assured. Nine concerts were given in as many days, and subsequently iu Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson and other towns the various artists have been received with equal enthusiasm. It is claimed for the Company that all the vocalists, which include Mies Oolboume-Baber and Mr Harry Stockwell, are in their prime; and M. Horace Pouseard, the celebrated French violinist, is a powerful attraoion. The first concert will be given in tbe Theatre Royal this evening, the songs wh.ch Madame Burton will sing are announced in another column, Mr Frank Bradley, late organist of the Alexandra Palace, London, is the pianist of this excellent company, ot which the muchtravelled Mr Sym'hs, whose name a / gaurantte of its merits, (e direotot I