MADAME ARABELLA GODDARD’S CONCERTS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 157, 5 December 1874, Page 2

MADAME ARABELLA GODDARD’S CONCERTS.

The farewell concert given by this lady and her company last night must be pronounced the most successful performance we ever remember in Christchurch. Nothing occurred to mar the proceedings, and from start to finish the audience were thoroughly satisfied with the efforts of each and every one of the company. Madame Goddard took her place at the piano no less than eight times ; and the performance, that will remain for many a day impressed on our minds as the most wonderful piece of piano playing we ever heard, was that of Thalberg’s fantasia on the prayer from Rossini’s “Mose inEgitto.” Nothing that we have heard Madame Goddard play has given us such an idea of the wonderful power she possesses over the instrument she is playing on ; and we fancy that a very large portion of the audience agree with us in this respect. The concluding fantasia, by Jules de Servai, on “ Rule Britannia” and “ God Save the Queen,” was most enthusiastically received, and, at its conclusion, a large number of bouquets were thrown on, or at the stage by enthusiastic admirers, while Madame Goddard gracefully bowed her farewell to a Christchurch audience. Herr Doehler’s playing was more appreciated when he was giving the well-known “ Carnival de Venice” than on any other occasion on which we have heard him ; and the other members of the company were well received throughout, as testified by the numerous encores that were demanded and responded to. In conclusion, we most heartily hope that Madame Goddard will take away pleasant reminiscences of Christchurch, and that if she should think it worth while, at some future date, to make another trip) to the “ Britain of the South,” we may be fortunate enough to be again amongst her hearers.