Complimentary Concert

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 71, 21 September 1893, Page 2

Complimentary Concert

«_ One of the most successful concerts which has taken place in Feilding was given in the Assembly Booms last evening, the occasion being a benefit tendered to Miss Bellve on the eve of her departure from Feilding. The Hall and stage had been tastefully decorated with ferns, flags, etc., and above the stage a banner was hung with the inscription : " Long life and happiness to Miss Bellve." There was a capital audience, the front part of the Hall being literally packed. The programme presented was a long, wellselected, and enjoyable one, and each of the performers came in for a good round of applause. A strong orchestra, under the able conductorship of Mr R. F, Haybittle opened the programme, playing 11 Caliph of Bagdad " in capitaJ style. Mr J. F. Stevens' song " The Mighty Deep " was very well sung, and in response to an encore he gave " Dublin Bay," which received considerable applause. A violin solo was well played by Mr Kitchen, after which Miss E. Bellve, sang " Courtship Lane." This lady was not in good voice, owing to the effects of a cold, but she nevertheless sang her song in a creditable manner. The next item was a recitation by Mr Maclean entitled " The visit of Loins Philippe to Queen Victoria." This was Bimply "immense," and the audience were kept in a perpetual bubble of merriment from the commencement to the finish of the piece, Mr Maclean receiving loud applause. Mr Frankel next sang " Wrecked and Saved," he was in good form, and his song was evidently appreciated. " The River of Years " was very nicely rendered by Mrs Prior, being well received. Mrs W. Dickson's singing of " Maid of Athens " was very pleasing, this lady has a rich, clear voice, and it was heard to advantage in this song. The audience insisted on her re-appearance, the last verse being repeated. Miss Fraser sang " Bid me not Forget " very sweetly, after which Mr Levoi's naval lads were put through their musical evolutions. The manner in which the little fellows went through their drill, with scarcely a hitch, reflects great credit on their instructor. One little fellow caused much amusement owing to the self-satis-. fled and confident airs he assumed, The evolutions were repeated, by requests in the second part of the programme, th - audience being delighted with the pere formance. After a short interval thsecond part of the programme was proceeded with, the orchestra playing a selece tion in a nice manner. A vocal duet, by th Misses Roe, was nicely given ; a slight nervousness was perceptible at first, but it was soon overoome. A flute solo, by Mr F. H. Barlow, was followed by Mr \V. H. Hartgill singing, in a happy style, '■ Boys in Blue," and in response to a vociferous encore he sang " The Little Shilling," which was also applauded. Mies Diamond next followed, her song " Say Not Farewell " being sung with much feeling and was well received. It was a pleasure to hear Mr Maclean again, and his singing of " Clear and Cool " was a treat indeed. Miss Bellve sang " Star of Bethelem," for which she was deservedly applauded, and in response to an undeniable encore, she sang a rather appropiate song, " Don't Forget me," and the audience testified their approval by again encoring. Mrs Lundius sang, m her well-known finished style, the song entitiled "A Vision," which was very well received. A concertina solo was next played by Mr R, Somerville, which pleased the audience so much that they called him back again, when he gave the imitation of the chiming of St. Paul's bells, which was very good indeed. Mr F. J. Hume's song " Keeping Them all for Mary " simply brought down the house, and as an encore he sang " Long and Short," which was very amusing. A very enjoyable concert was brought to a close by the singing of the " National Anthem" and there is no doubt that all returned home perfectly pleased with the evening's amusement. The hall was cleared for dancing, which was only moderately attended, but enjoyed by those who " tripped the light fantastic."