AMUSEMENTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 619, 13 June 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

ILMA DE HURSKA'S CONCERT.

The eighth concert of the De Murska Company was given last evening at the Oddfellows' Hall. It has been a long season for a city of the size of Christcliurch, but still a large number of people continue to attend. Last evening, slthcugh the reserved ssats were not largely patronised, the other parts of the Hall were quite full. It is announced that on Wednesday evening Mdlle De Murska will take her benefit, and a full house should ba present on her last appearance here ; for it is not often that in this place we shall have opportunities of hearing a vocalist of such attainments as De Mureka, and it is but rarely that we can hope to be visited by a concert troupe of equal excellence in all its members. Last evening Mdlle De Murska was suffering from a severe indisposition, so that up to the last moment it was almost thought she would be compelled to disappoint her audience; she however managed to appear, and though she could not oblige the assemblage by replying to all their encores, yet she sang with great success ; almost the only thing noticeable being a diminution of vocal power and energy. Her first effort was an aria from II Trovatore. The smooth phrases of the first par t were sweetly Bung, and the bright little trills towards the end were sung with

much brightness and brilliancy. In reply to the long continued applause which followed this piece, she could only repeatedly bow her acknowledgements. Instead of Proch's ''Variations," which her health would not allow her to sing, she gave Doppler's Hungarian song, written for her. Of this we have once already spoken on its first performance, and last evening it was 6UDg (though with perhaps less vigour) with certainly equal sweetness and delicacy. Again the humorous duo from L'Elisir d'Aviore, was sung, with Signor Susini ; and the performers elicited considerable hearty applause, for their very excellent rendering of the piece. Maestro Ilia played Mendelssohn's artistic "Andante and Rondo Capriccioso," very finely. The melody of the andante was enunciated with great clearness, and the reading of some of the passages was decidedly unique. The presto movement was performed with the utmost lightness and brilliancy, and the fine bold octave passage at the end was given with much vigor. In response to) & vociferous recall (which served also to indicate that classical high class music can be appreciated by the mass) he played Schulhoff's lively "Galop dibravura." In addition to Thalberg, Ascher, and others of that school, we have now heard represented by Maestro Ilia, Weber and Mendelssohn, it might be a reasonable hope that before this fine ptanist leaves ns we may hear something of that greatest of the great— Beethoven.

Signor Susini opened the concert with Verdi's "Nabuco," which formed an appropriate commencement, and later in the programme Mozart's Don- Giovanni furnished him with another piece of bis especial buffo style. This was so capitally sung that the audience could only be quieted by its repetition.

Signor Rosnati sang the lovely aria from ILombardi, "La mia letizia;" bat not very successfully on the whole, as it lacked feeling to some extent; but some of the high notes were very finely produced. He also saog a piece from Trovatore, but not with his usual care, though much was very good. Signor Giamraona played a couple of flute solos, securing much applause for each. His execution was not bo free and true as we have generally beaid from him, but in parts his tone was exceptionally fine. His pieces were " Lucia," arranged by himself, which well exhibited the quiet cantabile style, and Clinton's "Attila."

The programme on Wednesday will include the following items for Mdlle do Murska—- " Lo ! here the gentle lark" (with flatito obligato by Signor Giammona) and the celebrated miserere scene from 11 Trovatore, assisted by Signor Bosnati and a small chorus.. We understand that the tronpe will positively leave by the Albion, on Thursday, eo> that this must be really the final concert.