“BIG DAY" CONCERT

Evening Star, Issue 19658, 10 September 1927, Page 11

“BIG DAY" CONCERT

COKBERGIAL TRAVELLERS' FINAL EFFORT Something serious 'Wont amiss with the commercial travellers’ organisation last evening, as tho “ Big Day ” concert, which was hold in His Majesty’s, attracted a very meagro attendance, though it merited a much better response on the part of the public. . The Commercial Travellers’ Choir monopolised a good deal of the programme with several surprisingly well-rendered numbers. It was evident that the songsters had put in a good deal ol time preparing for the occasion, and they are to be commiserated with in not singing to a larger house. One of the outstanding items was Franz Abt’s 1 Dreaming Stand the Silvern Mountains,’ which was sung with great discrimination. ‘Tom, the Piper’s Son,’ was presented first as a polka, then as a waltz, and finally as a chant, and this merry little offering was rapturously received. The 'majestic' * Hallelujah, Power and Glory’ was given with fervor, and also served to show that the choir is particularly well equipped with basses. Tho final number was ‘Hark, tho Merry > Drum,’ which was also sung with distinction. Several well-known vocalists assisted in what was one of the best concerts given in Dunedin for some time. Miss Pita Holmes impressed with her interpretation of ‘ Villanelle,’ and later was heard to advantage in ‘Dawn,’ both contributions being rapturously encored. Miss Winnie AUPeak wss another .who appealed to the audience. Her first effort was ‘ Angus M'Donald,’ and she returned to sing ‘ Alla Stella. Cnnficlente.’ Mr M. Robilliard supplied the fine ’cello obbligato. Mr I. C. Anderson sang ‘ Mignonne ’ pleasingly, and he was also heard in several other equally successful numbers. Mr C. H. Russell’s musical monologue, .‘The Kid,’ found Favour, and he followed up this success with a humorous sketch. Mr W. Be Gal contributed a couple of violin solos, and was another performer who found difficulty in satisfying the imperative demands of the auditors. Mr G. J. Scott conducted the choir, and Mr A. L. Burk was the accompanist. During the interval Mr J. T. Gillam announced that £1,250 had been on! lected as the result of the “ Big Day effort. He thanked Sir Benjamin m Mr John Fuller for the free use of t theatre, and expressed tho assoc tion’s thanks to the managers of tho warehouses for their efforts.