Phonograph and Concert at Birmingham.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 217, 18 January 1894, Page 2

Phonograph and Concert at Birmingham.

A very good attendance greeted the performance given in the Birmingham Town Hall la.at evening, and judging from the frequent applause everyone must have been highly delighted with it. The phonograph was manipulated by the Rev. Father Patterson, of Palmerston N , who briefly announced each item in turn. In his introductory remarks he gave a short description of the instrument. The several items reproduced by the phonograph caused much laughter. Amongst the best was a whistling solo by John Atlee, of New York, the notes of which were very clear and distinct, an encore being demanded the " Dreamland waltz " was given. Pieces by the New York and Ottawa bands, and the inevitable Salvation Army band (of Auckland) were amusing. Speeches by Mr Gladstone, Mr Edison, and a Maori were also introduced. Several comic songs and an Am* erican auctioneer practising his calliug were immense and caused much laughter. The programme comprised choruses and solos, the former by a small choir iv numbers, but this was made-up for in the excellence of the music. The pieces given were "Gloria," " Adeste Fideles," and another piece the name of which we are unable to ascertain. Two solos were given by Miss Oakley, namely, "Nancy Lee " and " Killarney " and Miss McCleary also sang two, " Thy voice is near " and " The lesson I learnt at mother's knee." Both these j'oung ladies were so successful that an encore was demanded for each effort and they replied to the compliment by repeating a verse. Mr J. F. Stevens distinguished himself in " Friars of Orders Grey," and " Nazareth," being encored. The Rev. Father Patterson paid him a high tribute for his rendition of the latter. The accompaniments for all the pieces were played by Father Patterson with his usual skill, ami at the close of the entertainment this gentleman thanked those present for their attendance. The proceeds will be devoted to St Patrick's presbytery.