“Piano Recital by Renee Florigny, Victoria Memorial Hall, June 26, 1935”

On 26 June 1935, French pianist Renée Florigny, acclaimed as the “feminine Paderewski,” gave a piano recital at the Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore, as part of her world tour. Florigny, celebrated for her virtuosity and repertoire spanning modern and classical works, had performed widely across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and was noted for distinctions conferred upon her by the Emperor of Annam and the King of Cambodia in recognition of her artistry (Singapore Free Press, June 18, 1935, 2).

The recital programme opened with Lully’s Gavotte and Daguin’s Coucou, followed by Mozart’s sonata (Theme, Variations, Minuetto, Alla Turca). Florigny also performed Saint-Saëns’s Souvenir d’Italie, Debussy’s Arabesque and La Fille aux cheveux de lin, her own composition Fez la Mystérieuse, Albeniz’s Tango and Sevilla, Granados’s Danza Española, de Falla’s Danza ritual del fuego, and Lechetizky’s Etude for the Left Hand Only. After the interval, she presented MacDowell’s To a Wild Rose and five works by Chopin, including an Etude, Valse, Berceuse, Spianatto and Andante, and Polonaise (Malaya Tribune, June 26, 1935, 14).

Reviews praised the recital for its freshness and variety, noting Florigny’s “individual touch” and vigorous style, which distinguished her from “the average woman player.” Her interpretations of Debussy and Albeniz were commended for liveliness and humour, while her Chopin selections were described as reaching “a high standard” (Malaya Tribune, June 27, 1935, 14). The Berceuse was especially highlighted as the “pièce de résistance” of the evening (Straits Times, June 27, 1935, 14). Audience response was enthusiastic, prompting Florigny to announce a second recital before continuing her tour.