A DELIGHTFUL CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 25, 24 October 1917, Page 3

A DELIGHTFUL CONCERT

FOE THE N.Z. NURSES' MEMORIAL FUND. The very best talent available was concerned in tho delightful concert given in the Town Hall last evening in aid of the New Zealand Nurses' Memorial Fund- (the subscription list towards which object is not to be closed until the end of the month). Among those present wore His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General and the Countess of Liverpool, SJr Robert and Lady Stout, and a contingent of active service nurses, whose garb of sober grey was a grim reminder of the splendid worlc these brave women are doing on the field of peril. The programme was one of the best submitted to the public for a long time, and each performer appeared to be tu>*?d up to the topmost pitch of his or her powers, such was the atmosphere of the concert. Alias Mina Caldow, who was in excellent voice, made a deep impression by .the dramatic spirit she infused into her singing of Alfred Hill's Maori fantasy, "Waiata Maori," a number that was considerably enhanced by the aid of a capable string orchestra and a choir of well-modulated voices. In the second half Alios Caldow sung with admirable taste Goring Thomas's ballad "My Heart ft Weary," and achieved the distinction of a double encore, giving artistic distinction to "I Hear Tou Calling Me," und the more purposeful song "Inter Nos'." Another singer who was received with favour was Miss (Nurse) Kon a Te Au. The purity of , her tone and clarity of diction were features in her singing of '"Unfearing" (Bruno Hulin) and "If You Would Love Mo" (MticDermid), and "later she trilled charmingly "Love the J.'edlar" (German) and "A Birthday." Mr. H. Hodges was heaW"Tli Somervell's truly poetic setting of "Birds in the High Hall Garden" (from the song cycle based on excerpts from Tennyson's "Maud"). Aa an encore he sang "Go Not, Happy Day," also by Somervell. Mr. H. F. Wood sang a pretty "Japanese Love Song" (Brae), which was given an effective orchestral accompaniment, and was encored. Mr. Leu Barnes sang in robust style Sargeant's setting of the Shakespearean song', "Blow, Blow, Thon Winter Wind," and, recalled, gave emphasis to Frances Allitzen's "Song of Thanksgiving." His second part contributions was a fine colpursome 'eong by Albert M&llinson untitled "The Canadian Hunter's Song," and for an encore Amy Woodeford Finden's bong "Fate." Miss Eileen Driscoll wns heard in Landon Ronald's "A Southern Song," and the Orphans' Quartet (Messrs. H. F. Wood, .T. Battersby, W. Gaudie, and R. Meatos) sang the humorous ditty "Little Tommy.' The Orphans' Orchestra played the overture to Flotow's opera ''Stradella" and Uie "Titania" overture of Hilreth. Mr. Harold Whittle was accompanist. During the evening the latest recruit, Sister Ruth, presented a. boquet made by Miss Poole to Mrs Dr % McKenzie in; appreciation of her services as organising secretary.