THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 151, 1 June 1877, Page 5

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

A concert in aid of the funds of St. Mark's Church here was given in Ban's Hall on Wednesday evening. The weather was cold and wet, and fears wera entertained by some that this would interfere with the attendance. Such, however, did not prove to be the case as by eight o'clock the hall was completely filled. Indeed, throughout the evening there was not sitting room for the large numbers who flocked to the hall. The programme was a long and varied one, and members of various religious bodies, some from long distances, were found amongst the performers. A few of these appeared before a Balclutha audience for the first time. Of the entertainment- as a whole, only one feeling can. prevail— that it was a thorough success, greater than the most sanguine expected. The whole was carried out without a single hitch or unpleasant incident. The entertainment opened with a _lee, " May Day," by tbe whole company, numbering about thirty. The glee was very well rendered, and in it the audience had a specimen of the treat which had been provided for the evening. JVlr W. Taylor followed with "The Musical Box," which was a remarkable and finely executed imitation on the piano of the musical box. Mr Davis next gave " Tired" iv a fine deep base, and was followed by Miss Ray ncr with "The Forsaken." Mr C. Dallas scored the first encore -with " The Dainty Bit Plan.'* The song was well sung; but required a little acting to produce the full effect. Miss Millar sang " Remember or Forget," very sweetly. Mr John Grant gave " The Stirrup Cup " very accurately. Mr Grant has an exceedingly fine powerful voice, and always sings so well that further reference to him is unnecessary. He was followed by Miss Brewer, With a fine Scotch song, " Oh, Sing again the Auld Scotch Samjs."

Between the verses the company hehind the >cenes sang "Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonny Doon," *' Scots VVlia Ha'e," and " Auld Lang ■\yne," which had a capital effect, and elicited hearty applause. Mr Alex. Bain sang "My Heather Hills," and had to respond to an encore. Mr lieunort followed with " Kate O'Shane," a pretty song, and well sung. Mr Reunert was in excellent voice, and we never heard him sing with such delicacy and good taste. The first part of the programme was brought to a close by a duet between Mrs Money and Miss Welch, which secured a hearty encore. These ladies have strong pkasant voices, and sing with great accuracy and effect. An interval of twenty -three (!) minutes was then given. The second part was commenced by a glee, " The Blue Bells of Scotland," by the Company. Miss Taylor then gave piano selections in a very masterly style. The audience were quite taken by surprise, and we are sure but few expected to enjoy such a musical treat. Mrs Hutchins gave " The Broken Spell" very sweetly. Mr King j next sang "Tell me, Mary, how to Woo Thee," and received a well-merited encore. Mr King bas undoubtedly the best tenor voice in these parts, and he sings with great taste and. spirit. The next was a duet (piano and cornet) by MiTaylor and Mr Grant, which elicited applause. Mrs Smith sang the favourite and difficult Scotch song, " Caller Herrin,"-' which produced an encore. We never heard Mrs Smith in so good voice. Every note was sung clearly and accwately, and the song has tried voices of very wide compass. It is more Mrs Smith's misfortune than her fault that the words were considerably Anglicised. Mr Bentham followed with "Come, Birdie, Come," which was spoiled by a wretched chorus from behind the scenes. Miss Darling sang " Home They brought Her War- ' rior Dead." Miss Darling, as her name implies, is a favourite iv musical circles. She has a strong, well-trained voice, and sings with great care and taste. She had to respond to an encore. Messrs Grant aud King gave a duet, *' Love and War," which also was encored. The duet was very efficiently rendered, but we think these gentlemen would beat themselves with the " Larboard Watch." Miss Mansfordsang " Come back to Erin" — a very pretty song, and very sweetly sung. Miss Mansford has an exceedingly fine, sweet voice, and only requires a littlo more practice before an audience to make her a favourite anywhere. The entertainment concluded by the company singing a glee from " Oberon," followed by the National Anthem. The Bey. Mr Knowles then made a few remarks, expressing his gratification' at the result of the concert. On behalf of the Church Committee he thanked the ladies and gentlemen who had taken part in the entertainment, especially Mrs Smith, musical conductor. He also thanked the andience for their atl endance, and expressed a hope tbat they would have many such pleasant entertainments in Balclutha. A heirty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Llcyd foe the use of the hall, which he had given gratis for that evening, and also on several previous evenings for practice. The company then dispersed.