CONCERT AT CRICKETER'S HALL, RUSSELL.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1690, 19 July 1875, Page 4

CONCERT AT CRICKETER'S HALL, RUSSELL.

A concert was given last Tuesday evening in aid of the funds to purchase a new instrument for the Russell Church. All the ladies and gentlemen in the district kindly tendered their support, amongst whom may be mentioned the names of Mr and "Mrs Oarleton, and our respected Magistrate, E. M,: Williams, Esq., to whose ability and energy the success of the evening may be attributed. The entertainment opened with a duett on the piano " Tancredi," by Mrs Carleton and Miss M. E. Hanley, and was performed in a manner which at once stamped the genuine ability of the artistes. " Softly falls the shades of evening," by the company, came after, and was received with rounds of applause. A duett "Pulaski's Banner," by Miss Eannie Stephenson and Miss Hanley, was rendered with great spirit, the former young lady has a fine soprano voice, and only wants a little practice to become a vocalist of a 'very high order. "Dame Durden," by the company, set the bouse in roars of laughter. This glee gave us a taste of Mr Carleton's powerful voice. I r should, very much like to have heard .this gentleman discussing such 3ongs as the " Desert," "Ship on Pire," and "The Maniac." We were next treated to a beautiful solo by Miss M. Stephenson, sung without any practice, as this lady had to do the locum tenens for Captain Parquliar, who was suffering from a severe cold. The "Bells of St. Michael's Tower" brought to the footlights Mrs Carleton, Mrs Simcox, Mits M. Williams, and Mr Carleton. They were all very happy in their respective parts aud got through excellently. " Strangers Yei," a solo by Miss M. E. Hanley, fairly took the house by storm ; the music was beautifully discussed by this lady, and must certainly receive the palm. _ In my opinion it was the gem of the evening. A glee and chorus, "The Winds Whistle Cold," by the company wound up the first part of the programme. In this could be heard the deep tones of Mr S. Stephenson's splendid bass voice. After an interval of ten minutes " La Romanesca," an instrumental trio, by Mrs Carleton, Messrs Carleton and Simcox, on tbe pianoforte, violin, and harmonium. Justice can only be done to the author of this piece when performed by musicians like those we heard last Tuesday night; a pin could have been heard falling during the playing of. this piece of music. A melody by the Company was next sung in a very creditable manner. " Five times by the taper's light," also by the company, : was equally well performed. Mr Simcox next came on with a pretty solo, "Years ago." This lady was evidently suffering from a severe cold, and theiefore could not do the same justice to her song as she would havf done had she been in her usual form. A glee and chorus, " The Chough and Crow," was certainly done ample justice to. I have heard this glee performed by a great; many companies, and will say without fear of contradiction that for evenness of music and elegance of style I have never heard it to greater advantage than last Tuesday night. In giving the first part of this glee, Miss M. Stephenson took every member of the' audience by surprise. I should very much like to hear this r young lady again. The duet, "Larboard Watch," brought for-ward-two of the best male voices on the' stage—Messrs H. 0. Browne and S. Stephenson, janr. The former gentlemen worked the- house to a great state of excitement, more particulaiy in the higher notes, which were given with the greatest care, and at once stamped the performer, as a thorough master of his profession. Tnis duet also gave Mr S. Stephenson, juur., an opportunity of distinguishing himself, which he done to the entire satisfaction of all present. " Gather ye Rosebuds," a quartette, sung by Mrs Carleton, Miss M. Williams, and Messrs Carleton, and Simcox, was one of the best,of the evening, and,-beautifully given. The two ladies were in excellent voice, and, by what I heard, will often cause us to remember- the 13th of July. " Sleep, gentle lady,", a trio (Bishop), by the Company, passed off remarkably well, in this could be heard the distinct notes of Miss M ; Williams' sweet and powerful voice. This lady was in good form and done her role superbly, "~Tbope I shall'have the pleasure before long of hearing this young lady in a solo. " The Waits " (Saville).again brought."the company on their legs and passed off satisfactory. The glorious anthem, "God save the Queen " wound up the concert, and was joined heartily by the whole audience, and altogether I must say the entertainment was a great success, at times I thought the hall would have been torn down with the applause of the muchdelighted audience ; several times the singers were encored, which they at once responded to. After supper a large party remained to do the. light fantastic ; dancing was kept up till five.o'clock in the morning, at which hour boats could be teen rowing in scores across the bay full of merry voices, going home after thoroughly enjoying themselves. It.-was proposed to give another concert for the same good purpose in the early part of December next. ■. . - t- ■■;.