BENEFIT OF MADAME CARANDINI.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1914, 13 April 1880, Page 3

BENEFIT OF MADAME CARANDINI.

The announcement of Madame Oarandini's farewell benefit had the effect |of causing an unusually numerous audience last night in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Tho reception accorded to the hencjiciairc showed that time had not diminished the number of her admirers or lessened her long-established popularity as one of the earliest of colonial prima donnas. Tho programme was an unusually attractive one, each item exactly suiting the special ability of its exponent. Madame Oarandini on this occasion revived the memories of her past successes by the exquisite manner in which, in conjunction with her accomplished daughter, she rendered the famous duet “ Hear me, Norma,” from Bellini’s grand opera. One of the choicest gems of the evening was Miss Oarandini’s singing of the quaint English ballad “Cherry Ripe,” and Miss Josephine D 'akin was equally successful in the pretty waltz song, “ Beautiful Roses,” which was enthusiastically encored. Indeed encores were imperatively demanded several times in the course of the evening, and were as cordially responded to. Mr Gordon Gooch was splendidly effective in the grand recitative and air, “ Oh, Ruddier than the Cherry,” from Handel’s “ Acis and Galatea,” and in the second part excited quite a furore by the graphic manner in which he gave “ The White Squall,” transposed to suit his voice. Mr J. W. Marshall, who volunteered his services, was warmly applauded for a line song by Barri, “ Loved to the Last.” The various concerted pieces, which embraced tho strength of tho company, and in which Mr Sherwin rendered yeoman’s service, were not tho least enjoyable items of the concert, which was in all respects a pronounced success. On Thursday evening next Mr Gordon Gooch, the basso of the company, will take a farewell benefit, when the first half of the concert will consist of sacred music culled from the most esteemed oratorios, and the second part of some of the most popular compositions which have been given during the past season. Mr Gooch’s great merit and popularity should ensure him a bumper house.