GISBORNE HARMONIC SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1800, 5 July 1906, Page 3

GISBORNE HARMONIC SOCIETY.

THE INITIAL CONCERT.

The Gisborne Harmonic Booiely gave their initial conoert in His Majasty’s Theatre last evening,"and from a musioal point of view are to be heartily oongratu lated upon the suooese of their efforts. At the same time it is to be regretted that there wsb not a larger attendance. The dress cirole was well patronised, but there I was a very meagre audieace downstairs. The time and trouble devoted by the sooiety in the preparation of Mendelssohn’s “ Hymn of Praise ” certainly warranted more generous support and appreciation I from the public, sad for this reason it is to be greatly lamented that there was not a orowded house. The conoert opened with a selection, " The Honeymoon,” by the Gißborne Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr M. L, Foster, which was played in a most finished manner. Mr W. Mitchell gave a splendid rendering of “I Fear no Foe,” whilst Mrs Barry gained a deoided encore for her number, “ The Soul’s Awakening,” responding with " Happy Bird.” Mrs • Buckeridga won the hearts of all present with her singing of" The Valley by the Sea,” and being compelled to make a sicmd appearance sang " Daddy." Mr Hickson was beard to advantage in “Lit Me Love Tbes,” and replying to a well-dessrved encore gave “My Pretty Jane.” Toe second part of the programme was taken np with the produotion, “ Hymn of Praise,” whioh was most successfully rendered, reflecting the utmost credit on all engaged, and especially upon Mr M. L Foster, who so ably conducted There was a very strong ehorasj upwards of 50 ladies and gentlemen taking part, and the solos were well allotted, Mesdamss Barry and Sbierlaw and Mee3is Hickson and Barlow more than fulfilled the demands of the numbers for whioh they were responsible Perhaps the most successful of the lattnr was the duet, “ I Waited for the Lord,” whioh was given with exoellent effect, the voices blending most barmoni ously. Mr Hickson oreated the most favable impression in the reoitative, “ Sing ye Praise,” aod the air, “ The Sorrows of Death,” whioh were well delivered. The duet, “My Song shall always be tby Mercy,” by Mrs Barry and Mr Barlow, was another item worthy of special men tion. The secretarial work waß ably carried out by Mr W. H. Ohnsp, whilst Mesdames Batten aod Parris acted as ao~ companUts during the evening.