THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1536, 19 April 1887, Page 2

THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS

The Fisk Jubilee Singers opened m the Oddfellows' Hall last night to a tremendous house, the Hall being packed to the doors long before the time for the concert commencing, while many had to be refused seats, notwithstanding that a number of people were accommodated on the stage behind tho singers. The singers, seven female and four male voices, with organ aocompp.nimont, completely took the audience by surprise with the first number on the programme, " Steal away to Jesus," which was sung with great power and effect, the piece concluding by the chanting of the Lord's Prayer. The second item, " Get you ready, there's a meeting to-night," rame from the singers as a great contrast to the former piece, and m response to a decided encore, they gave ' ' 1 want to be ready," another very peculiar and striking piece, both aB regards words and music. "The Judgment Pay is coming," sun^ next, was given by tbe performers all sitting m their places m a semi-circle on the platform, as were several of the other items Tho fourth piece brought out a grand burst of music from the wholeparty, and was encored vociferously, •'ln the. morning," an old favorite Negro melody, being given m responee. The director, Mr F, J. Loudin, who has a powerful and well-trained deep bass voice, gave " Rocked m tho cradle of the deep" very effectively, and being encored sang a very amusing piece, with, laughing chorus. Mies Mattie S. Laurence, who has a powerful and sweet soprano voice, alao gave a &010 m this part and was loudly encored, responding with the lively and amusing song, " I would'nt would you ? " The fi st part wound up with a very peculiar negro chorus "I'm rolling through an unfriendly world," m whicL the male voices were heard with great effdot, Mr Loud'n then gave an address, explaining how the Jubilee Singers came first before the public m the States, and afterwards travelled through Europe, Bonding Borne £30.000 In a few years to their college In Nashville. The second patt was of a similar natura to the first, though the pieces sung were very distinct, the fist item being a melody by an American author, called "Sieign Bells." Tais was foilowed by a marvellous piece of vocalizitlon from rhe whole party, "Bright sparkles m the churchyard," the voices blending m harmony m a surprising way, and this m. its turn by a piece which may be best described aa a narrative m song of Ohrbt'e death, burial and aecension. The next selection showed well the very weird and etrange melody which gives oharacter to the negro singing m tbe States, and was followed by a quartette for male voices, "My own native isle," given with much expression and force by the gentlemen of! the party. The concert was closed by tha singing of "Swing low the chariot," thia piece being substituted by request for that appearing on the published programme. The bene* diction sung bj- the rainlstrela brought a remarkably successful performance to a fitting oloae