ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1062, 27 February 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. The season of the MacMahon Pictures was concluded at the Opera House 'last night. The attractive programme was highly appreciated. THEATRE ROYAL. In spite of tho boisterous weather, on Saturday evening there was n good attendance at the Theatre Royal. The current programme was well received, and a complete chango is announced for to-night. .Included, in the bill to-night is the reappearance of the Do Ro Mi Trio and Guillianie, Baby, and Co., also the first appearance in .New Zealand of Elma Anderson, the lady baritone. KING'S THEATRE. A large audience assembled at' the King's T'heatro on Saturday night, in spite of tho heavy and continuous downpour of rain, and the interesting programme was thoroughly enjoyed. The management' promise an entire change of programme for this evening, including the .brightest scenic, dramatic, and comic pictures available. HIS JIAJESTY'S THEATRE. The big rain storm on Saturday evening affected tho "house" at His Majesty's Theatre, but the large number who braved the elements were compensated by a splendid ' progranimo of up-to-dato pictures. A complete change of programme, embracing the latest pictures from England, the Continent, and America, will be presented this evening. AMY' CASTLES'S FAREWELL CONCERTS.

The announcement of tho farewell'tour of tho Dominion by Miss Amy Castles has created a stir in music circles. Miss Castles is one of the most widely known singers that Australian audiences have listened to, and the warmth of their appreciation on her first concert tour some eight years ago was more than repeated on her recent reappearance in Grand opera. Of her remarkable performance in.the realm of grand opera Australasian ■ theatres have recently had ample evidence It.' has been, the endeavour of Messrs. J. and N. Tait to surround Miss Castles with a company of the highest possible musical excellence, and that they have succeeded is testified by tho preence of such notable artists as Herr Alexander Camphausen, Herr Louis Hattenback, and Mr. William Conway. All theso artists have won distinction on tho concert platform. Herr Camphausen is described as a bass baritone, with • a voico of great range and power. Herr Camphausen originally studied .in Leipzic, and has appeared in leading cities of Germany, France, Hungary.'etc. Musicians and. critics are agreed as to the abilities of Herr Louis Hattenback: on tho 'cello. He will also.fco hecrd in n number' of accompaniments' with Miss Castles. The remaining member of the concert party, Mr. William Conway is— like Miss Castles—a Victorian born, though. his musical education lins been • developed amongst tho Continental teachers. Mr. Conway is a most gifted pianist. Miss. Castles will give two. concerts only in Wellington, one on Saturday next, March 4, and the other on Monday, March 0, at tho Towns Hall. The box plans for both concerts open this morning, at the Dresden Company's. .

. OIGAN RECITAL. ! Mr. Mauglian Bamett had onlv a small audience at the Town Hall on 'Saturday night, and it may be said the wonder is. considering the deluge at the time, that there was any audience at all. Most of the brave few were more or less wet, and among tho number was the organist himself, who, on this nlea, and because of tho practically einptv hall, asked that encores bo disnensed with. Tho thundering of the heavy rain on the roof made if rather difficult nt times to got the full, benefit of the ihbre delicato passages but, nevertheless, the recital wasi a recognised reward to those who attended For the most successful nieco of the evening tho selection must go to the three movements from tho organ svmphony. No. 2 of Widor's-(a) Pastorale, (b) Adgio, (c) Finale. Each' of these movement'! tho organist nlaycd with'delightful effect. His selection of stons in tho Pastorale was verv fine, and" the Adagio was delicately sweet and soft, and ?,'i', tc ; entrancing. An orgau setting of Haldweben, from Siegfried Wa«nor was nicely rendered.: but tho full effect of 1\ agner can only be . obtained on a complete orchestra. In 3izet's beautifuladacietto, from tho L'Arlesienne buite, Mr. Bamett showed his great appreciation for tono values. A selection of Schubert s "To be Sung on the Waters" (an organ transcript of the famous song), a short prelude and fugue of Bach's, and tho rousing "Hero's Song," by Volkmann, completed the programme. The next rel cital will be given on, Saturday, March 11

GARRISON' BAND CONCERT. Tho Garrison Band were favoured with an nudienco that filled every part of the town Hall last evening. It 'was an up-' prcciativo audience also, for applauso 5??.? 0 . 4 ?"«tcd. The contest selection, LAfncame, arranged by Mr. W. Short, L.U.A.M., the judge at the recent contest at.Palmerston, had a very good rendering. It is in some respects quite a remarkable,composition, descriptivo in the extreme, and requiring a full and perfect acquaintance with tho opera and the idea of the composer for its successful rendering. No doubt it was his knowledge in this respect that placed Lieut. Herd ahead at the contest, for last even'if, the'story of the piece was effectively told by the band. In technical detail the band was ■ also fine, displaying a good, full, round body of tono where necessarv, with' chief instruments taking up tlie numerous lends confidently and without nerve-shattering slips. Tho conductor has brought out a fine foundational bass tone that serves him- well, but docs not overwhelm, and every one of his middle instruments speaks. ' The other contest selection. "Falstatf"' (Verdi), also was successfully rendered. The opening march was "Oucen of the North" (Lithgow),nnd the concluding march,' ''The Vanquished," by Southwell. Mr. C. Clarkson sang Sullivan's favourite. "Thou art passing Hence," with the necessary sympathy and designation, and was, indeed, more than ordinarily successful, receiving a recall and an encore. In the second half he gave "Lcs Rameaux" (Fnnro), in which his resonant voice was kept in its best compass, and therefore heard to the highest advantage. He again drew loud applause. Tho other item of tho concert was a wholly delightful cornet soio by Bandsman J. Parker, "Nearer, my God, to Thee" (Carey's setting). Tho tone command was remarkably fine, the notes diminishing to a sweet pianissimo, while iti the fortissimos there was any amount of effect without blare. Mr. Parker had an instant, recall, and ho gave "The Last Muster," which was. also nicsly played. The accompanist was Mr. M'Laughlin, Lieut.. Herd conducted.