PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1753, 19 May 1913, Page 6

PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.

A FINE CONCERT. Wollington is beginning to realise that in tho Wellington Professional Orchestra the city possesses tlio finest band of its class that has ever existed hero as a permanent institution. As to tho popularity of these Orchestral concerts, it only needs to be stated that His Majesty's Theatre (which seats over 2000 people) was crowded .last evening, and over 500 people were turned away. And the concert was worthy of such attention. Whilst the standard of tho performance was high, being marked generally by admirable tonal balance, cleanness, and precision, its arrangement by Mr. Herbert liloy calls for special mention. Although Auber's "Masaniello" as an opera has fared ill at tlio hands of time, tho overture,' which is instinct with sparkling, bracing melodies, is popular the wide world over. It was played with splendid vervo and swing, without sacrificing any of tiio, delicacy in orchestration. Another rare treat was Massenet's suite, "Scenes Pittoresqne," a recent addition to tlio orchestra's repertoire, and one which will stand repetition. Probably duo to lack of rehearsal, tho first two movements were not played with that precision and daintiness which comes with, familiarity, but the third movement, "Angelas," was very beautifully intoned. The "Fete Bolieme >fourth movement) reflected giaphic.illj' the garish delights of the fete, with its jingling dance melodies and hilarious merry-making, and was played with pleasing freedom and dash. Tho overture to "Tannhauser" followed in striking contrast. As was the case a fortnight ago, the orchestra gave an impressive performance of this exacting work, and thoroughly deserved the ovation it evoked; A perfect cameo in delicate orchestration was Taubert's "Love Song" for oboo and strings. A charming melody, played pizzicato, leads into the same, played as a solo by the oboe, to a subdued accompaniment of plucked strings, which shade off finely, to a sustained. chord—the only 0110 in Ww piece. Mr. Leon Cohen, the oboeist, did li'inself credit as tho soloist, inducing a nice sympathetic tono in keeping with the character of the music. This gem was deservedly encored. Tho orchestra also played Eulcnborg's festal "Coronation March,"