MDLLE. CHARBONNET’S CONCERT.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1550, 6 February 1879, Page 3

MDLLE. CHARBONNET’S CONCERT.

The farewell benefit of Mdlle, Oharbonnet took place last night at the Theatre Royal. There was an excellent attendance in all parts of the house, the dress circle being especially well filled. The concert was divided into two parts, the intermediate portion of the entertainment being a pleasing comedietta entitled “As Like as Two Peas," in which Mrs Walter Hill made her appearance in Christchurch, after an absence of twelve months. She met with a cordial reception, and her efforts, seconded by those of Mr Walter Hill, the Misses Lily and Arethusa May, ana Mr Stark, were successful in carrying the merry little piece to a successful conclusion. In the course of the evening, Mdlle. Charbonnet played four pieces, each of which was encored. The first was Schuloff’s arrangement of Paganini’s “Carnival di Yenise," which gave Mdlle. Charbonnet an admirable opportunity of displaying her marvellous execution, the air being interwoven with brilliant variations, which taxed the player’s ability to the utmost. As an encore she substituted a sparkling piece in imitation of a musical box. On re-appearing for the second time, Mdlle. Charbonnet played Chopin’s “ Rondo Brillianto ’’ in a masterly manner, and being encored exhibited her exceptional mastery of the instrument bV performing “The Last iiooe of Summer ” with the left hand, the air and variations being distinctly marked and repeated with the utmost delicacy and precision. In the last part Mdlle. Charbonnet’s performances consisted of a scherzo by Chopin and Signor GHorzi’s arrangement of “La Grand Duehoase,” which was one of the gems of the concert. Signora Venosta sang “Alas those chimes,” from “ Maritana,” a ballad entitled “ Carissima,” and in response to an enthusiastic encore gave “II Segreto," from “ Lucrezia Borgia,” in her unequalled style, her magnificent voice filling the house with telling effect. Mr J, Marshall contributed “ Will o’ the Wisp,” and for an encore “ Nancy Lee,” each being excellently sung, and in the second part the famous scena “ Wrecked and Saved,” Signor Luisetti sang Dr, Dulcamara’s famous cavatina, “ Udite o Justice,” from the opera “L’Elisir d’Amore,” and “Povere Maria,” by Tosti, in each of which he was applauded. There was an excellent orchestra, and the course of the evening they played the overture “ Les Deux Magot” and selections from “II Barbiere,” Mr A. Milburn played the accompaniments to the vocalists in a careful and efficient manner. At the close of the performance Mr C. F. Bunz announced that his benefit would take place on Friday evening, and that he was about to accompany Mdlle. Charbonnet down South to superintend a series of concerts she was about to give prior to her departure from New Zealand. Numerous attractions will be put forward by Mr Bunz, and it is to be hoped that ho will have as good a house as his merit as a musician, and his many services in Christchurch entitle him to.