"Under The Palms."

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 196, 20 December 1893, Page 2

" Under The Palms."

This beautiful cantata was given in ihe Assembly Booms last evening to a well-filled house. The piece was got up by the choir of the Primitive Methodist Church in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of that body in New Zealand. Friends from different churches in town and uiuc performers from Pahnerston assisted. A strong orchestra of Palmerston and Feilding instrumentalists combined, added much to the success of the cantata. The orchestra consisted of Miss Thompson (piano), Mr Barrett (organ), whose skilful manipulation being really good was naturally much admired, Mr G. Short (first violin), Mr P. Keall (second violin), Mr W. Graco (viola), Mr W. A. Grace (bass viol), Mr J. Wingate (cello), and Messrs 0. Hubner and W. Johnston (cornets), all of whom, with the exception of Miss Thompson and the two latter, being from Palmerston. Altogether there were about thirty adults and twenty children in the choruses. An overture by the orchestra coaunenced the programme and the choir joined in very nicely with the lively chorus " Wake, captives awake." Miss Grace (of Palmerston) saug several alto solos, including " Unto thee will I lift mine eyes " and " By dark Enphratos' stream " in a very pleasing manner. Mrs Bramwell who made her first appearance beforo a Feilding, audience was undoubtedly a success in the soprano parts entrusted to her, especially in the solo "We remembered the graves of our fathers," for the sweet rendition of which an encore was demanded and the last verse repeated. This performer also scored a success in the solo obligate with chorus "Jerusalem the church bf our abode." Mrs J. C. Thompson, Miss |A. Gould, and Miss Blackinore were the other soprano soloists, the latter having made a very creditable debut as a solo singer. Mr W. A. Grace of (Palnierston) was heard to advantage in the bass solo "Oh, bless the Lord" and for his | efforts in tins was awarded an encore, repeating the last stanza. Mr A. Carty displayed a good bass voice for a young singer in several solos. Mr A. Eade's tenor voice was as much appreciated as ever, and the solo parts ho rendered were well applauded. Mr Downey's elocutionary powers were brought into requisition in the recitation " From long captivity," with a chorus response. Mrs Bramwell and Miss Grace sang very nicely a duet, as also did Miss Gould and Miss Graco in another duet. Several double by Mrs Thompson, Mrs Milson, Misses Grace, and Blackinore and Messrs Eade, Milson, Carty, and A. Shearer, went very well. A humming chorus was very nicely introduced and the trio by the Misses Grace and Blackmore and Mrs Milson, representing echoes, was a fitting close to the first part. The children's choruses were almost perfect, and very natural. The choruses "Come, let us rejoice" and "From tents of pine " went with a good swing and appeared to be appreciated. Mr D. Simpson made a very able conductor and to him in due much of the credit for the success of the performance. After the interval, and previous to commencing the second part of the cantata, Miss Grace favored the audience with the solo "He was despised," from the Messiah, and the modulations of her cultivated voice were so much appreciated that an encore was demanded and the audience would not accept a graceful bow as an answer. Miss Grace then gave " Oh, thou that tellest," for which she was rewarded by a round of applause. The bazaar in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church was opened by Mr F. Y. Lethbridge at 2 o'clock this afternoon, and will be continued during the afternoon and evening. There wil be an abundance of refreshments and music, and during the evening Mr Franklin-Browne will sell by auction all the drapery, fancy goods, etc., which have not been disposed of privately.