IRELAND IN SONG

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 154, 19 March 1918, Page 3

IRELAND IN SONG

ST. PATRICK'S DAY. CONCERT.

Being intensely loyal and richly sentimental, the Irishman loves to hear the old songß of Moore and Boucicault, and to feel the grand old airs plucking at his heart strings. All over tho world on St. Patrick's Night the Irish people hold concerts, and nowhere are they better managed or more enthusiastically attended than in Wellington. From the organ loft to the back seat beneath tho gallery there were no vacant chairs at the Town Hall last evening, and thanks to the excellent progainme provided, there was none who did not thoroughly enjoy the feast of Irish song provided. Among the imported artists, Mr. Fred. G. Bourke,' a splendid baritone, made a distinct impression. Mr. Bourke has a musical, resonant baritone, which he uses artistically. There were brains behind his interpretations of such songs as "Bantry Bay," "The Mountains o' Mourne" and "A Nation Once Again." and the emotional facilityand vocal command that were his made an immediate impression. Miss Kathleen Wood, a mezzo-soprano, from Wanganui, also sang with charming effect. Her melodious voice was hoard in Needham's delightful "Irish Lullaby," to which she had to append the ballad "When You Come Home.'' Later she sang "The Hills of Donegal" and a pretty little fancy entitled "You and I," which has a delicious accompaniment to embellish its 'fairly-like glamour. Another highly successful singer was Mr. Martin Duff, the erstwhile Dunedin tenor, who is now a resident of Wellington. Mr. Duff's pure tenor was heard in "Come Back to Eriu," "My Sweetheart when a Boy," "Oft in tho Stilly Night," "The Dear Little Shamrock," and "I Hear You Galling Me." Miss Eileen Driscoll, who is well known to concert-lovers, roused her audience in the inflammable "Wearin' of the Green," and sung with much daintiness "The Cruiskeen Lawn," and for au cncore she selected the always welcome "Killarney." Mr. G. Zeisler, a baritone in khaki, gave a good account of himself in "Off to Philadelphia," "O'Donnell-a-Boo," and "The Minstrel Boy," and Mr. Kevin Dillon recited with of 'dramatic emphasis "Paddy" (a paraphrase on Kipling's "Tommy"), "The Epitaph" (to the memory of B'obert Emmet), and a humorous sketch of an Irish courting. Sympathy of tone characterised the violin solo of Master Ben O'Brien, whoso playing of "Tho Harp that Once" and "Kathleen Mavourneen" gave deep and certain pleasure to the big audience. Miss Kathleen O'Brieii danced an Irish jig nimbly, -and the pupils of the Marist Brothers' schools sany in chorus "Hail, Glorious St. ■Patrick," "Come Back to Erin," and "God Save Ireland." Prior to tho concert Mists Eileeu Donnelly, lOhoably officiated as accompanist, entertained early comers with a selection on the grand orgM. The audience included a large representation of the clergy.