THE CONCERT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 823, 25 January 1878, Page 2

THE CONCERT.

The long anticipated and much talked of Conceit, in aid of the funds ■ of the Dndstan District Hospital came off on Friday evening the 18th instant in the Town Hall, and before going into particulars wo deem it necessary to observe, as it is so much the custom, when furnishing an account of such gatherings as the one under review, for the writer to indulge in stereotyped phrases of flattery and rapture, that it is taken as a matter of course that everyone engaged is to be eulogised, and dnb the affair an unqualified success, nor can it be wondered at when the usual object of sucb meetings is considered, the gratuitous services of the performers, the very great sacrifices many are called upon to make, not alone in travelling long distances and the time and money expended, but also the patience and labor necessary by long and repeated rehearsals to qualify themselves for their several parts, therefore it is compulsory upon the Critic to use his pen with a gentle hand where faults are apparent, and to lavishly bestow praise where anything like praise is due, in fact, like the Sun to shine equally upon the evil and tho good, therefore, is it that we find a certain amount of difficulty in endeavoring to avoid the worn track of indiscriminate flattery and the time-worn shouts of triumph, for when we say that this Concert was simply a “ Success,” the term conveys no further meaning than that bestowed upon all tho concerts of past years, but as a mere matter of fact we must go beyond this and say without hesitation that, no Concert heretofore performed in Clyde came up to anything like the standard of perfection of the present, and this was owing to a combination of happy contingencies, there was an influx of several talented instrumentalists, who never appeared before, and to whose skill and ability may be attributed tbe fact of this performance standing out so preeminently from all others. Then tho “ Choruses ” by the recently formed “ i’hilharmonio Society,” under the leadership of Mr J. E. Stevens, were a prominent feature in the evening’s entertainment, exhibiting a power and skill far beyond what could be reasonably expected—their efforts could not be excelled, nor can any praise be considered otherwise than as a bare acknowledgment of what the Society were justly entitled to. At a few minutes past 8 o’clock the Hall was almost full ; in half-an-houri afterwards it was literally crammed, towards oho entrance there being scarcely standing room, and we venture to say without the slightest thought of disparagement to any other town, such a well dressed and orderly audience it would be difficult elsewhere to find. The room was brilliantly Jit up, and every arrangement seemed to’be the result of careful forethought, so that no hitch or impediment of any kind took place to mar the even tenor of the proceedings, which flowed on smoothly and uninterruptedly from the commencement to the close. The Concert commenced with an overture (the Peri Waltzes arranged as a duet for the piano) by Dr and Mrs Button on the latter instrument, and Messrs Campbell, Pyle, and Hotop on their violins. This was a brilliant performance, the time being rendered with marvellous precision, tho only drawback being that the many lost sight of it as a musical effort being impelled with the idea that it was a sort of sin to be compelled to sit still and listen quietly to such harmony when the natural desire was to fly off at a tangent and plunge incontinently into tho figure of the waltz, and it was amusing to watch tho various effects upon those around, an involuntary though silent time beating forthwith took place ; faces formerly rigid thawed and beamed with smiles ; figures rigid and erect gradually unbent and swayed to and fro with the strains of the music, .until, if a reward was offered, not an ugly or ill-tempered face could be found in th« whole of the audience. Next was a chorus by tho Philharmonic Society (assisted by Messrs Campbell, Pyle, Hotop, and Ward on the violins, who kindly lent their valuable aid in all tho choruses of tho evening), “Who will o’er the Downs.” Hero two distinct senses were charmed beyond measure—sight and hearing, for indeed dull and cold must those eyes be that could look unmoved at the bright faces of the young ladies and children as, in charming toilettes, they fluttered to tho platform erected for their reception ; the old hoards looked like a dazzling flower garden with the sunshine on it after a shower of rain, and after they had flooded the Hall with melody there was no bounds to the rapturous applause that deservedly greeted them. Mr Pyle then sang “ Leaning on the Balcony,” which song camo in well at this juncture, offering in its character a pleasing variety to what had gone before. This was followed by Miss Hastieand her sister, Miss C. Hastie, singing a duet, “O’er the hill, O’er the dale,” which was effectively rendered, and genuinely appreciated. After this Miss MacGeorgc took her place at the piano, selecting for her solo airs from II Trovatore, which was performed in a manner that commanded the admiration of every listener. Certainly no snch skill hss ever been exhibited here before, and any audience, no matter how critical, would have awarded tho palm of praise; the most rapid and intricate passages were accomplished with an ease and brilliancy marvellous even to the initiated—not a note slurred or doubtful, but every one. chiselled and articulated with a flute-like intonation truly gratifying to those who care for this class of music, and, as a matter of course, it was listened to with breathless attention. Ofir old friend, Mr I. Loughnan, once more favored, ns with his presence, andssng “Tiie Yeoman’s Wedding” (Mr A. Koiiand accompanying on the piano) with that taste and expression tli it so signally distinguishes all his performances. A solo by Miss Hastie, “Looking back,” was tbe next on tbe programme, and though sung tolerably well, it did not please ns neatly so much as some of her old songs ; whether it did not suit her voice, or some of the thousand and one causes that sometimes affect the best of singers, wo know not, it certainly was far behind her usual efforts, and the audience felt this, for being so great a favorite they wem anxious to hear her to more advantage and called for an encore, When she gave “ Tlin Murmur of tho Shell.” One of Miss Hastieh great charms is her clearness of enunciation—every syllable tolling plainly and distinctly with refinement and gvaoe, so as to be heard in the most distant parts of the room ; it was notably so in this

beautiful song, and long continued appla'use followed her departure from the platform. Messrs Campbell, Pyle, ami Hotop (violins) with Mr Holland at the piano,'rendered to [ a delighted audience, selections from Norma, [ and in such a manner as to awaken the most . pleasurable feelings. In several passages the violinists soared far beyond ordinary excellence, and it is no mere figure of speech to say that as the well known strains from ' Norma echoed through the Hall the andi- • ence were spell-bound, and when the last chord died away a universal feeling of regret was exhibited in every countenance. A trio by Misses Hastie and Miller, and Mr Mac- ■ George, followed, each performer evidencing s the result of careful practice and training, Which the audience testified by their hearty appreciation. Mr Rees, always ready to lend a hand to any worthy cause, sang “ The Englishman” in a manner beyond his usual ability. Added to a tenor voice of singular purity and sweetness he possesses a certain t gesticulatory manner that renders all his i efforts peculiarly attractive and popular. • After this the first part closed by the ’ Society singing “Come o’er the brook,” t which chorus was faithfully and expres- ' sively rendered. After a shert interval the f Concert re-opened £a at the beginning with i an overture by the same performers, “ The 1 Queen of Roses Waltz” being the selection, ! and just as formerly, with the same effect. ' When finished there was a general fluttering 5 of pocket-handkerchiefs, as if the mental | dance was an actual reality. Again the Society marshalled themselves in array, and i sweetly sang “ A Spring Song," quickly ; followed by Mr Rees with “The Days gone i by.” Miss Hastie next appeared, and sang, 1 assisted by the Society, “My Darling ! dwells over the Sea.” While Miss Hastie I stood alone on the platform, the members of i the Society were grouped around the piano ■ on the floor of the Hall, and the chorus i sounded like an echo, the whole effect being . peculiarly striking and agreeable. Messrs ■ Campbell, Pyle, and Hotop on their violins, i assisted by Mr Holland on the piano, rens dered “ Home to our Mountains” in a mani ner that will long be remembered by those i who were fortunate enough to be present, s At the risk of erring on the side of eulogy it • must be said that the combined exertions of i these gentlemen added in no small degree to i the success of the Concert ; they are far in 1 advance of proficient amateurs, indeed, it i may be said that professionals who lay 1 claim to an unusual standard of excellence ) would find their work out out to equal these > performers. Once more Miss Hastie’s voice f re-echoed in the Hall in the solo “To the i Woods,” and once more her talented effort ■ was enthusiastically appreciated. It was • now Miss MacGeorge’a turn, and, if possible, 1 she seemed to exceed her former performr anoe, in the playing of selections from s “Maritana.” An encore was vigorously I called for and graciously acceded to, when ■ this lady gave some sparkling waltz time ’ music that afforded intense gratification. , After this_ the (‘Elfin call” was sung by i Miss Hastie and Miss Miller, which gave I great satisfaction. These young ladies are r accustomed to sing together, and know ■ exactly how to manipulate their voices 1 with that perfection which training must 5 ensure, henca they never fail to elicit in I duet singing marked attention and unbounded applause. Then, with “See the [ chariot at hand,” sVmg by the Society, the . Concert terminated, and here it becomes u.s 5 to observe that, were wo to pass over in , silence the name of a gentleman to whom , the success of this Concert is raainlv at- , tributable, we would deem ourselves guilty . of culpable negligence. We refer to Mr J. 5 E. Stevens, not only this entertainment, but every other one since his advent j | amongst us, owes its triumphant position to , i his indefatigable zeal, his skill and oatience, t j and the untiring energy he has ever dis- . I played in matters of the kind. Those who , i know anything about it will readily imder--3 stand wbat labor devolves on him who undertakes such a task, and more than all, who woithily fulfils it to a successful ter--3 mination. Honor to those to whom honor 3 is due, and we say that Mr Stevens der serves the thanks and gratitude of the com- ’ munity for this and past labors so dis--4 interestedly and cheerfully bestowed. Nor must Mrs Stevens bo forgotten, who likewise i invariably assists with piano accompani--1 ments, and in this instance did so as a mem--1 her of the Society. 3 The President of the Hospital, Mr Naylor, r suitably addressed the assemblage. The r National Anthem was then sung, and so j ended the most brilliant concert ever given 3 in Clyde. Subsequently, when the Hall [. was restored into dancing trim, the Band 3 assembled, kindly giving their services, and 3 a most enjoyable dance was the result, faint r streaks of morning being visible ere the 3 “ languid and the weary” sought that repose 3 that exhausted nature undeniably and 3 sternly demanded. We have ascertained that there were close on three hundred ’ persons present at the concert, and that the proceeds were L2G. If a proper charge had ’ been made for admission, instead of the f ridiculous prices of 2s fid and Is, it would > have been treble this amount.