IRISH CONCERT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1491, 18 March 1885, Page 2

IRISH CONCERT.

The concert given Kat evening by the Ashburton Orchestral Society to commemorate St Patrick’s Day—or rather the evening of that day—was a success far . as the various items on the programme ■ were concerned, but unfortunately the attendance was only moderate. The first part was opened with a selection. “ The Colleen JBawn ” (Baker), by the Orchestral Society, including the following performers, viz:—conductor, Mr Sidney Wolf, R. A. M.; first violins, Messrs Wood (leader), EL Gates, E. Cookson; second violins, Messrs Purchase and Simmonds ; , bass, Mr U. Hosken ; timpani, Mr A, Harrison; flute, Mr George Jameson ; t cornets, Messrs G. Hosken and L. MacDonald; trombone, Mr Savage The [ item was very well and evenly rendered. Miss Butler sang with much sweetness, “ Oh ! Erin, my Country,” and narrowly escaped an encore. Mr F. Lowe, who made his debut last evening to an Ashburton audience, sang “The Oruiskeen Lawn ” very fairly. The favorite song, “ Come back to Erin,” was given by Mrs Hodge, and in such a manner as to enlist the entire sympathy of the audience, and as a consequence that lady had to respond to a loudly demanded encore. By special request the Orchestral Society performed the selection entitled “ After Uark. ” We hardly state that 't was rendered with their usual skill and ability, but in fact much better than ever we have the Society perform before. The time and harmony were alike excellent, and shows what proficiency the Society has attained under the able conductorship of Mr Wolf and the frequent practices of its members. Mr Higgins sang in excellent voice lent voice Moore’s beautiful melody, “The Harp that once.” To Irishmen this song has a peculiar charm and Mr Higgins was loudly, applauded for the manner iu which he rendered it. Mr R' se, another gentleman almost unknown to Ashburton audience, gave “ Eileen Allamah ” with chorus and cornet obligato by Mr G. Hosken, in a very pleasing manner, the chorus especially adding greatly to the effect Sir A. Sullivan’s “ Patienca ” waltz was very well rendered by the Society, and ended the first part of the concert. After a short interval the second part opened with a selection of Irish airs, which was played with much precision and very tunefully by the Society, after which Mr Higgins sang Moore’s “ Meeting of the Waters,” for which he received a well-mer'ted encore. Miss Kidd sang “In my wild Mountain Valley ” with much feeling and expression The next piece was a violin solo by Mr Wood. The piece selected was “The Harp that, once” (Loder), and was given in such a way as to receive a moat vociferous encore, which hereaponded to by playing a very sweet arrangement of “Home Sweet Home” in an equally masterly manner, and such as is very seldom heard in Ashburton. An Irish jig (in character) by Mr R. Cullen was next introduced, which seemed to please the audience immensely. An encore was demanded and was responded to, tha dancer being evidently as pleased with his reception as the audience with their entertainer. A very pleasing item of the programme was the “ Dear Little t-hamrock,” given by Mr Rose, who sang it with much spirit, and received a well-merited encore, but unquestionably the vocal piece of the evening was a snug by Miss E. Barrett (“Kate O’Shane”), which was extremely well loudered. This young lady has a vary pleasant voice, and she sang with much expression. It was, we believe, her first attempt to sing in public, and we must say her debut was the most successful any of our loca\|amateurß have secured, Mr F. Lowe sang the “ Colleen Bawn,” for which ha received an Orchestral Society, was very well enc ire. A selection of Scotch airs by the n ceived, and the concert was brought to a close with the “ Nation*! Knthem ”