BENEVOLENT AID CONCERT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2089, 3 November 1880, Page 3

BENEVOLENT AID CONCERT.

It is somewhat to bo regretted that the public did not more generally respond to the appeal made to them last night by the Benevolent Aid Association. There was, it is true, a very large audience, but nothing like such an one as the object of the entertainment and the excellent bill of fare provided should have attracted. Messrs Matson and Co., with great liberality, placed their building at the disposal of the committee, and in every way tried their utmost to further the object in view. Musically speaking, the concert was a success. One of the greatest treats of the evening was a duet by a lady well-known in musical circles and a gentleman from Ashburton, who, in the kindest possible manner, placed his valuable services at the disposal of the committee. It was excellently rendered and enthusiastically encored. Another event in connection with the gathering was the re-appearance, after more than a year of absence, of a lady whose rare vocal talente will prove a most welcome addition to our amateur ranks. Now that the long silence has been broken, it is to be hoped we shall frequently have the pleasure of hearing so artistic a performer. The piece selected was Bishop’s “ Echo song,” which, though suffering from being somewhat unsuited to the building and the absence of a flute obligato, which for such a song was almost a necessity, was yet rendered with much finish and artistic power. The lady before alluded to sang Rouse’s pretty ballad, “The Trysting Tree,” very nicely indeed, and the Ajshburton gentleman, in Sullivan’s “ East chord ” and Pinsuti’s martial song, *ll fear no foe,” displayed the powers of his really grand voice to great advantage. Two well known musicians gave a duet for organ and piano on themes from “ Faust ” with much effect, and the amateur orchestra were successful in their two selections. They were a little unsteady in the one from “ Traviata,” but that from " Satanella ” was a great treat. “Our American Cousin” from Lyttelton, whose name is familiar to all, “ spoke a piece," and did so with success, and the Railway Band and the Masters Herman were capital in their various items.