CONCERT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 708, 12 November 1875, Page 2

CONCERT.

This entertainment which was given in aid of the Parsonage Fund, on Wednesday evening last, the 10th inst., in the Town Hull, Clyde, fully came up to the anticipations of the promoters ; and if we may judge by the hearty plaudits given to each performer, and the demonstrative fashion encore after encore was demanded, the patrons were alike well pleased. On the question of encores : on occasions where a long programme is provided, and the duty of carrying it out falls to a limited number of performers, we incline to the thought that it -is unreasonable to ask either a lady or gentlemen to play or sing as the case may be, a doz°n times during an evening, and we would suggest, if there is no other way of getting riil of the nuisance, to specially name it on the programme “No Encores.” With this slight digression we shell to our task. Shortly before 8 o’clock the Clyde Brass Band, stationed under the portico of the Town Hall, played in their customary efficient manner several pieces, after which they retired to the orchi stra, and opened the programme, playing in excellent time the musical prologue. Mr I. Loughnan next sang “ Oh, oh, hear the wild winds blow,” accompanied on the piano by Mr Gordon ; this song was given in a masterly manner, and brought into play the fine baritone voice of Mr Loughnan. To an encore the last verse was repeated. Miss Mary Jane Ilastie next sang “Yesterday,’ Mrs Stevens accompanying, and to a vociferous encore repeated the last verso. This young lady deserves, for the truly artistic manner in which she sang this song, more than a passing word, and in saying that a singer n f Miss Ilastie’s power is seldo m heard from an amateur platform, we do not flatter. Mr Gordon’s Pianoforte Solo was a masterly piece of exertion, and was rewarded with loud applause. “Evening bringeth my heart hack to thee,” and “ Homo, sweet Home,” in response to an encore, by Mrs Boult, to the accompaniment of Miss Murphy, were the next songs, and fairly brought down the house. This lady has a very nice voice, and the rendering of tho two songs prove I that it had been well cultivated. The quartette, “ Caller Herrin,” bysMissea Hastie and Miller and Messrs Hill and Stevens, was given in good voice. Tho reading, “ Beautiful Snow,” was then given by tho Rev. John Dewe Mr Robinson followed with “ Rcndez Moi,” accompanied by Mr I. Loughnan. This gentleman has a nice tenor voice, and gave great pleasure, and was rewarded with an encore to which lie responded with Hie last verse. Miss Murphy now played “Home,

sweet homo," tvith variations on the piano, in a most finished manner, which was warmly received. Mr Longhnan again sang “Thou will’t return no more,” and as encore “Sweet Kathleen. 1 ’ A quartette “ Como o’er the Brook,” by Misses Hastio, nd Miller, and Messrs Cambridge and Stevens, and the duct by Mrs Boult and Mr Loughnan, (Mrs Boult accompanying) “ I would that my love,” brought tho tirst oart of the programme to a close. After an interval of ten minutes tho Brass Baud played an Overture; and tho programme wrs carried through in the following order : Mr Stevens, song “Go sweet fancy," accompanied by Mrs Stevens ; duet, “ Oh, I wander forth 1" by MissHastie and Mr Hill (same accompanyist) ; Pianoforte Solo, by Miss Murphy ; Song and accompanyment, Mrs Boult; song “ Oh. ye tears 1” Miss Hastio, accompanied by Mrs Stevens ; son?, “My Queen," Mr Loughnan, accompanied} by Mr Gordon ; Trio, Mrs Boult, and Messrs Rees, Loughnan, accompanied by Miss Murphy; song. “Truthin Absence,” Mr Robinson, accompanied by Mr Loughnan ; Piauoforte Solo, Mr Gordon ; song Mr Rees, “ Let me like a Soldier fall,” accompanied by Mrs Boult; quartette, “Good Night,” Misses Hastio and Miller, and Messrs Cambridge and Stevens ; and finale, “ God Save the Queen.” The whole of tiro above-named ladies and gentlemen cannot receive too much praise, as all of them performed and sang their parts more like professionals than amateurs, and we feel assured manywili join issue with us in hoping that, on some future occasion, we shall have a similar pleasure as on Wednesday evening last. In the second part of the progiamme nearly every event received an encore. If wo hive committed any errors or omissions wo must be excused, as, if we desired it, we do not know where wo could have introduced a disparaging remark. The Concert being finished, an interval of fiftem minutes took place, during which the floor was cleared and dancing commenced, and was kept up with great spirit. The precise amount netted we do not know, but wo believe it will not fall far short of L2O.