AUCKLAND AMATEURS AT WAIROA.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1670, 25 June 1875, Page 3

AUCKLAND AMATEURS AT WAIROA.

A Wairoa correspondent writes under date June 18:—"Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather and the bad roads, a large and fashionable audience assembled at the con--1 cert given here last night, in aid of the Public Hall funds, by some lady and gentlemen amateurs from Auckland. Amateur peiformances are generally tolerated—not admired, and are not of sufficient moment to be mentioned, even by a country correspondent. The performance of last night, however, was of quite a different stamp from the average amateur entertainment. A judiciously selected programme of about a score pieces, consisting of songs, duets, choruses, and instrumental selections, was aone through with marked ability in every instance. Although the interest in the performance increased as it proceeded, and wellmerited applause was bestowed on piece after piece, the audience had the good taste to refrain from over-taxing the energies ot the performers, until the last piece in the first part was reached, when " Fairy Queen" (sung by Mr Davy) produced such a storm of applause that the gentleman had to reappear. " Come, back to Erin," sang by Miss Leaf, was a happy effort. This lady possesses a voice singularly rich and full. She did full justice to the beautiful and touching sone, " Jessie's Dream," at the conclusion of which an encore was absolutely demanded, and the lady gracefully complied. That classic song " Mary of Argyll" was successfully rendered by Miss Brook. Her pronunciation wars admirable. Skill and taste characterised the playing of the various pianoforte accompaniments. The National Anthem brought the concert to a conclusion. At the close of the concert it was announced that the same ladies and gentlemen had kindly consented to give another entertainment this evening. The concert was succeeded by a ball, which passed off without a single' hitch. —Writing on tbe 19th, our correspondent says: — " All yesterday and especially at sunset the weather threatened to be juicy. In consequence of this, the audience at the concert was not so large. as it would otherwise have been. Another attractive programme was produced, and the various pieces rendered in a thoroughly artistic manner. The singing of Messrs Brook and Harding, as on the previous evening, gave evidence of ability and careful preparation. To many who had the pleasure of hearing him on Thursday evening, it was a matter of regret that Mr G. Brooke did not come on the platform last night Mr Davey again produced roars of merriment by his comic songs, which are fortunately not accompanied by any of that coarseness so painfully observable in some comic singers. In a musical point of view the gem of the programme was " Auld Robin Gray," sang sweetly and feelingly by Miss Leaf, who was in good voice. The second part of the programme was that amusing operetta, " L.S.D," in which Miss Brook and Messrs Harding and Brook toolpart. Making allowance for the absence of stage effect, the performers acquitted themselves fairly, the concluding scene being particularly good.