DUNEDIN HARMONIC SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 3919, 15 September 1875, Page 2

DUNEDIN HARMONIC SOCIETY

The third concert of tills Society was given last evening in tins Temperance Hall to a very large and appreciative audience. Though the weather again proved unfavorable, as has been the case on each occasion of the public appearance of this Socitty, the front seats and gallery were Let night fally occupied, and the back K.-als ul■..•■ -.'" f/>>d. The programme comprised an admirable selectior of vocal and instrumental music, including the overture to " Tancredi," and a symphony by Romberg, glees, choruses, part songs, solos, &c. The performance of the coccerted music gave evidence of hard wcrk and very ca.'wful training, the conductor having complete control over the singers. Admirable i,::vf> was kept throughout, ami the lights and shades, so essential to the efficient rendering of the class of music selected for last evening's entertainment, were well managed. This was particularly noticeable m the first glee—" Foresters sound the cheerful horn." " As it fell upon a day " 'Beam of light," and "Comrades in arms'" wore also very well sung. The latter a chorus for men's voices was sung with spirit and precision, pwd"was one of the marked features A the concert. Of the solos precedence must be given to the alto song, " Home they brought her Warrior Dead," sung by a young lady who is over warmly welcomed by a Dunedin audience. One of the distinctive characteristics of this lady's singing is hei very clear and distinct enunciation. Not a single word of her songs is lost to the audience. This, combined with the richness of her voice, and a selection of songs, the words and music of which are both appreciable by a popular audience, has secured her a foremost place among our Duuedin amateurs. Last night the simple and touching balhd named above was giwn with taste and feeiin,-, and obtained a unanimous re-call, when 'granger's Yet" was substituted, and sum* with equal effect. The tenor song "Theieis a Flower that Bloometh,' was sung by a gentleman- whose fine pure tenor voice wants only a little more cultivation and management to enable him to rank with the best tenors in Dunedin. The singing of this son»; secured a well-merited encore, when the last verse was repeated. This gentleman also sang in the soprano and tenor duet, "I've Wandered in Drean.s." The lady who took the soprano part also sang the beautiful song, "The Lover and the Bird." This is the first time we have had the pleasure of hearing this lady sing, but we hope it will rot be the last. She possesses a voice of good compass, sweetness of tone, and considerable power. tfhe was evidently suffering from th* nervousne-s incident to a first appearance before a large and a strange audience. Thiß however, will be'soon got over, and then we doubt not she will give evidence of the possession of powers of vocalisation of a high order. The concert was much iudeb ed to the lady who sang " IGtt'a'em Mavourneen" not only for her excellent singing of that sweet old Irish ballad but also for her efficient lead in the concerted music. We congratulate the Harmonic Society on the success of the concert, which on the whole was most enjoyable, while the hearty applause which greeted the several lHTfomiiuci's -avo ovi-.bn.ee thai tVy were hisajjf ap,,wai;it-jd In- tho Urge Midieucc ,«■«-' sent, (rreat credit is due to Mr W. J. Morrub, the conductor, for tho state of efficient* to'

which he has brought the society. Miss Bell presided at the pianoforte, and played the accompaniments to the several songs, &c, with her wonted taste and ability, and Mr Little officiated as leader of -he band.