THURSDAY NIGHT’S CONCERT

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 90, 16 February 1863, Page 2

THURSDAY NIGHT’S CONCERT

Mr. Worgan’s Soiree Musical'was, as we intimated in our last number, a decided success, so much so indeed that to a stranger it is a matter of wonder that so much musical talent can be found in so small a place as Napier to carry through to a successful issue ' such a difficult undertaking. The overture with which the evening’s entertainment began, “ II Barbiere di Seviglia,” by Rossini, was undeniably executed in a most masterly manner. The duett on the piano by Mrs. Sealy and Mr. Worgan was most admirably executed. The part taken by that accomplished lady was executed with a brilliancy of touch and refinement of execution which did great justice to the talents both of the composer and of the performer. Mr. Worgan, as usual, shone in this piece, as in others which we shall presently notice, as a star of the first magnitude. The madrigal of “ Oh, who will o’er the Downs so free” was sung with eliect by Mrs. Welch, accompanied by Messrs. Wilkinson, Hitchings, Thomas, and Harris. Mrs. Welch s execution of “ Her bright smile was received with merited warmth. It is a charming little song, and was sung with much effect and feeling by that lady. The trio, pianoforte, violin, and violoncello, “ Cujus animam,” by Rossini, is a grand piece, and really was performed in a manner which stamps at once those gentlemen who executed it, Messrs. Worgan, Wilkinson, and Robjohn, as each on his instrument a musician of no ordinary sort. The songs which followed this masterly production were delivered with gooff taste and evident desire to please, Mr. Lyndon singing Paxton’s noted ' song “ Fm King of the sea with remarkable force and accuracy, and it was, as it deserved, loudly and cordially applauded and encored. Now came the treat of the evening, Mr. Worgan’s fantasia pianoforte, which really, for exquisite harmony and for excellence of style and beauty of expression, was beyond comparison the finest piece of piano music we have heard for many years. Mr. Worgan introduced those charming and familiar airs “ Home, sweet home,” and “ Auld lang syne,” -with variations, concluding this masterly performance with Haydn’s celebrated Military Grand March, composed expressly for the Royal Musical Society in London. We need hardly add that this pioca was enthusiastically anplauded.

Mr. Robot tom’s fantasia on the flute was so brilliantly and beautifully performed that that clever amateur musician -was compelled by the unbounded plaudits to repeat it, which he kindly did, with, if possible, greater eflect than ever.

The glee “ Winds gently whisper,” was well received, and, considering the disadvantages of the position held by the singers on that queer-looking rostrum whereon they are compelled to stand, was executed with striking effect. _ “ Poculum elevatum,” a classical but convivial chorus, was admirably sung, and loudly that most inimitable of basses the Dr. coming out strong in the solo parts, to the great delight of his audience. The fantasia on the violin, with piano accompaniment by Messrs. Robottom and Worgan, was another delightful piece, executed with masterly expression and calling forth an encore, which was answered by Mr. Robottom substituting a fresh piece, in which he was accompanied by bis sou on the bass viol.

The whole wound up with Bishop’s popular glee “ Mynheer Van Dunck,” which was sung admirably, and was highly appreciated. Thus ending one of the most charming musical evenings which*we have ever yet enjoyed in Napier, and one that we sincerely hope will be the beginning of a series of such entertainments, which are in their influence on society most admirably calculated to promote kindly and good feeling by introducing and keeping alive a taste for refined and intellectual amusement.

The thanks of the inhabitants of Napier are due to Mr. Worgan for getting up this pleasant evening for their amusement, to those ladies and gentlemen who so kindly and with so much good taste lent their aid to carrying out tliis excellent object, and to Mr. Bridge particularly for his indefatigable exertions to bring the whole to so successful and triumphant an issue.