ST. PATRICK'S DAY CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 148, 18 March 1919, Page 6

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CONCERT

There is a witchery about the old Irish songs, iipart from the glorious melodies thev enshrine, that appeals to all, but to no'ie moro than the people whose sentiments they so charmingly express, and itho three thousand odd people who thronged to the Town Hall last evening, to hear the St. Patrick's Day concert, were as responsive to the old familiar strains as the harp-strings to tho wind. The programme could hardly have been better planned to please the taste of an audience; and the singers could not possiblv have had a more appreciative hearing timr. was giveii tlieni. Miss Teresa M'Hnroe delighted all with her finished vocalism. which finds a very fitting medium in many of Moore's melodies. Last evening this talented soprano sang "Come Hack to .Erin," "Believe Mo If All Those Endearing Young Charms" "She is Par from the Land," and "Love's Young Dream" with delightful artistry. Another of her encore songs was "Fairies in the Garden" (Lehmann), most delicately phrased and sweetly sung. Miss Violet Xiumacroft, a mezzo with a go'od stvle, also pleased the big audience in "Killariie.v" and "Terence's Farewell," singing, as encores, "You'd Better Ask !\!e" (Lohr) ond "Happy Song" (Teresa do Rieg'o). No one on the bill was more popul.tr than Signor Lucien Cesaroni, who sang "Mavourneen," and when recalled the aria "Veiml la mia Vendetta" (from "Lucre/.ia Borgia"), which tho basso interpreted with rare intelligence. In tlu second half Cesaroni sang "Tho Ministrd Boy" in English and Mcphistonhcles'o "Serenade" from Gounod's "Faust." This so pleased the audience that he returned with "The Marseillaise," which ho again had to repeat before the "b'.s"-finally died down. Mr. Faiqulia" Young is always nboundiiigly popular with 'Wellington audiences. Ho thrilled the predominating element present with "The Wearin' of (he Green" until they cheered and shouted. Then the singer wrought havoc with a dancing lilt in praise of "The Donovans." The audience being still unsatisfied, Mr. Young gave vent to tho comedy that is in him in a delicious monologue on matrimony and free speech. In tho laijr uart of the tvogrummo Mr. Young Rang "The Memory of the Dead," and bubbled up once more in "Cook's Tour for tho Irish." Miss Anne Sullivan's pretty m•■xzo voice was hoard in "For tho Grjßi'i" (Lohr) anil ■'.'The Irish Immigrant." Mr. Kevin Dillon recited with spirit "The Irish Guards" (Kipling) and Professor Thomas Kettle's "Paddy," a parody on Kipling's "Tommy." Ho also sent the audience into ecstasies of dolight with a rccilal of "A Toast to Ireland.' A four-handed Irish jig was skilfullv tripped by Hisses Madge Curry. Jean M'Lachlnn, Phyllis M'Millan, and Master jlurrison, and the same set of .jurenilu dancers also set tho toes tapping it an Irish reel. The Marist Bros. boyV choir (Thorndon and Newtown), under Urns. Kidolis and Dionysius, sang very sweetly such songs as "The Harp That Once." "0 Steer My Barque," and "God Save. Ireland." Miss Gladys Wutkhs and Mr. W. M'Laughlin were the accompanists for the vocalists and Miss Lilt' O'l.eary (piano) and Mister W. Campbell (piper) fur the dancers.

Anions (hose present were His Grace Archbishop O'Shea, Very Eev. Dean Holly, and many of the clergy.