MOTHER AUBERT'S HOMES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1937, 20 December 1913, Page 12

MOTHER AUBERT'S HOMES.

ANNUAL CONCERT. Although the Rev. Mother Atibert is far from hero tho good works sho has established in Wellington continue, and the expenditure involved therein lessens not. The annual concert in aid of tho homes she lias mothered with such tenderness and abiding enthusiasm is always a popular event, and though the audieneo may not have been so largo last evening it is cheering to learn that the tickets sold represent a very respectable amount of money. The programme submitted might bo classed as "good average" with here and there a number that arrested attention. Tho Wellington public are slow in recognising the rare musiclanly graces possessed bv Mr. Bernard Page, tlio inuch-osteoin-ed city organist. It was, indeed, a pleasure to bear him play the beautiful Prelude to Wagner's opera ''Tristan and Isolde," founded on tho fine old Irish legend of that name. With his unfailing resource ho suggested, with admirable effort the .very texture of Wagner's music—his brilliant aural effects, and beautiful bits of vagrant melody which so faithfully depict the poetic and legendary character of the work. Mr. Page was happy, too, in tlio selection of a second number. It was Caesar Franek's beautiful "Pastorale," i>li».ycd with suavity and exquisite feeling on the lighter keys.

i Miss Agnes Segrief .sang Balfe.'s charming song "Tim Arrow and tlio Song." with complete understanding, and in response) to a well-deserved retail sang with tasto "A Cham cf lloscs." Hiss Hose Segrief hardly poses trie sympathetic temperament of her sister, but lias a very serviceable and; well-produced soprano, which was heard to advnntago in Ncol Johnson's "Farewell to Summer." Miss Cara Dcnhard improves with every appearance. ■ Her pleasant iheZKo-coutralto voice was heard in Goring Thomas's song "A Summer Night. - '' Mr. Frank Johnstone exercised his 'cello effectively in Squire's melodious "Priere," and Jliss Betty Puniom tickled the* audience consumedly in the monologue "The Wife Sat Up," for which .she was recalled. Mr. C. Hickmott sang "Oft to Philadelphia" and "Tho Yeoman's Wedding ,Song," and Mr. J. l'\ Carr rendered "Colieon Hue." . Together they sang that popular old duet of I'laiuiuetto's, "Qui Vive." Mr. Hamilton llodges was heard to distinct advantage'in "Tho Pearl," a pretty song by A. Von Cars;-, hut effort was visible in "Amber and Amethyst," a more florid number by the same . composer. His'encore was "Molly Dear 1 ' (Gould). Messrs. A. W. Newton and D. A. Kenny raised a giggle in their amusing duets "l'iai Jove" and "Don't Let It Go Any Farther,' 7 'iiiid Mr. J. Culford Bell was broadly humorous in a travesty on the, lower drama. "He and She" (with dialogue* only for the "she") was smartly acted by -Miss 3?liby Scott and Mr. Norman Aitken. The Wellington Liodertafel was vocally feeble and musically uncertain in Schubert's. "Gondolier's Serenade," hut were in good heart, and much better voice in Coleridge Taylor's "Viking's Song." Mr.- T, V. Waters conducted. Throughout the accompaniments were played by Sir. I). A. Kenny. 1 ' Among, those. present were Coadjutor. Archbishop Q'Shoa and . a imir.her of the clergy, and His 'Worship .theyMayjjjvjand Mrs, Luke. .