Cooper's Scenic Recitals.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 54, 1 September 1896, Page 2

Cooper's Scenic Recitals.

Last night Mr Cooper gave the first of bis recitals in the Assembly Booms. There was a large audience, who seemed to appreciate the subject selected, viz, Britannia's Bulwarks. The scenes depicted were very fine, and the instrument used by Mr Cooper is the finest and latestimproved triunmal stereoptican. Starting with the early history of the British navy, from a picture of an old galley, Mr Cooper toolc his audience through the various changes in ships up to the present time, showing, amongst other scenes, the Victory, Nelson's world-famed man-o'-war. Fine effects were obtained, one especially, a night scene aboard a British mano'war the search light showing the enemy's torpedo boat in the distance and the blowing up of an enemy's cruiser by a British torpedo boat. Then a few very fine scenes from the lands of the Rose, Shamrock and Thistle. The second part of the programme was Britannia's army, from the landing of the Romans to the present date. Scenes from some of the famous pictures of the world were shown, together with many portraits of our mili- ' tary heroes. A splendid feature of the ' programme wa9 the singing. In the ab- ' sence ot Madame Carlton, who had to be in Wellington for Mr Parker's annual . concert, Miss Giesen saug " Angels, ever bright and fair," and " The brook," both j songs being very finely rendered. Mr Toner's fine voice was heard to great ad- ( vantage in " The mill wheel," and " The j meeting of the waters." But the great feature was Mr Fitzmaurice's singing. ' We do not often get such artists here, 1 and the audience showed their appreciation by tumultuous applause, and insisted upon several encores. The programme , was brought to a conclusion by a most ■ amusing recital, " How Bill Adams won the battlo of Waterloo." To-night's programme will consist of a tour through the \ Lands of the Moa and the Kangaroo. Madame Carlton arrives here to day, and we are promised some very fine sing ing by this artiste, who will render tonight " Blackberries and kisses," " With my guitar," also " Ora Pro Nobis," and r " The Better Land," with grand scenic ' effects. Mr Fitzmaurice will also contribute grand patriotic songs, which fi will be superbly illustrated. To-morrow a farewell performance will be given, in which some very fine sacred gems will g be introduced. i