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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 971, 18 March 1871, Page 2

The Musigai, Society last evening gave their first performance this' season, in the Oddfellows' Hall. The Society were most unfortunate in the weather, which was so bad that many supposed the concert could not be given as announced. The attendance was therefore rather thin, but greater than might

have been expected under the circum stances. The programme throughout was so good, and the execution of the pieces so excellent, that it would be a difficult matter to indicate the special beauties of the performance. The first piece was the overture to " Egmont," which was followed by Handel's grand chorus, " And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed." A pianoforte fantasia on Irish airs was then performed bv a lady with great taste and precision, "'The Captive *"Greek Girl" followed, by a lady who has been a favorite with the Napier people from her first appearance in public. An instrumental trio—pianoforte, violin, and violoncello (Reissiger, Op. 25) followed, and was gracefully performed, the appreciation of the audience being plainly demonstrated. The vocal quartette " Lo ! the early beam of morning," and the glee, " Stay, pr'ythee stay," followed, and the first part closed with the overture to ' 5 Le Domino Noir." The overture to " Le Cheval de Bronze," with which the second part opened, was in every respect an admirable performance, and was deservedly applauded. The beautiful Irish melody, " Erin, the tear and the smile in thine eyes," arranged as a quartette, followed, and was quite a gem. In response to continued calls for an encore, the second verse was repeated. The next piece, airs from "Ernani," a violin solo with pianoforte accompaniment, was in our opinion the instrumental gem of the evening. The applause of the audience was hearty and long continued, and all were gratified when an encore was given. The gentleman who performed the principal part in this piece, possesses musical talent of no ordinary character. " Somebody's Darling," followed, charmingly sung by a lady; and next in order came bishop's duett, by two gentlemen, " A?. it fell upon a day." The Irish air, li The last Rose of Summer," arranged as a quartette, followed, and full justice was done to this beautiful old melody. The song " Bonnie New Moon " by a lady, which came next, afforded a pleasing contrast to the,melancholy air which preceded it, and was well appreciated by the audience, who called for an encoie. In response to the call, the last verse was repeated, in even better Style than at first. The last item on the programme was the piece de resistance of the evening—selections from Romberg's noble "Lay of the Bell." The solo portions and the choruses were alike admirably rendered the last chorus particularly. As the audience were rising, the instrumentalists, in honor of the day, struck up " St, Patrick's Day," which appropriately closed one of the best musical performances thai has been given in Napier. The " books of words " were a great convenience to the audience; but they

would have been more so had they contained Ihe titles of the instriu mental portions of the programme. Tt is much to be regretted that the in-. clement weather should have so mate-, rially interfered with the attendance, and consequently the receipts. We are. glad to observe, however, from an ad-. vertisement in another column, that in deference to a generally-expressed desire, the Society intend, weather permitting, to, repeat the performance, with some variations, on the evening of Wednesday next, when we hope to see a good house.