THE SACRED CONCERT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3558, 4 December 1882, Page 3

THE SACRED CONCERT.

Last evening the principal members of tbe company gave a very enjoyable sacred concert, which was fairljr well attended, a good number of country visitors being present. The best thing of the evening was a pianoforte bolo, Gottschalk's Pasquinade, by Miss Florence Lewis. The piece is a most difficult one, but the pretentious task was nevertheless faithfully and successfully carried out by Miss Lewis, who has a delicacy of touch that is simply charming, vhile her interpretation of the music can only be described as perfect. She was also equally successful in her solo " Danse Negre " in the first part ot the programme. In response to a rapturous encore for here rendering of the "Pasquinade" she bowed her acknowledgement, but the audience would not be satisfied until she again took her seat at the instrument. We should mention that this young lady played the several accompaniments during the evening with the exception of those for Miss Liddiard and Signor Tramaglia which were both excellently given by Mdlle. Navarro. The violin solo, " Prayer from Moee in Egitto," by Signor Tramaglia, was a fine piece of instrumentation, and showed the performer's'thorough acquaintance with his subject. Miss Liddiard received an encore for ber solo, Gounod's " Aye Maria," which was given with much expression, as did also Mies Elsa May, whose fine voice was heard to good advantage in " Angels ever bright and fair." MiBS Muriefie sang very sweetly, "He wipes the tear,' and was loudly applauded at the finish. Mr Sullivan showed a due appreciation of the music in the solo, " Ecce Deus;" he was more successful, however, in the duet, " Tanturn Ergo," with Mr Vernon, which latter was an exceedingly creditable effort. Miss Blanche Lewis and Mr Vernon sang well together in Abt's "Easter duet." A serenade by Braga (with violin obligato) gave Mdlle. Navarro an opportunity of proving her ability as a vocalist, the result being an encore. " Ring on, sweet Angelus," was pleasingly sung by Miss Blanche Lewis, who played her own accompaniment. The duet, " Sainted mother," was given in praiseworthy style by Miss May and Miss F. Liddiard, although we once observed a slight indecieion in time on the part of one of the ludies. There now only remains to be mentioned Mr Drayton, who contributed " Consider the lilies" (Sullivan) and "The last man." Both pieces were grandly sung, the performer being in fine voice, a feature that was particularly noticeable in "Consider the lilies," in which the lower notes were remarkably clear. Tbe performance concluded shortly after 10 o'clock with the National Anthom.