CHAUTAUQUA

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4371, 27 January 1922, Page 2

CHAUTAUQUA

MARRED BY WEATHER.

EXCELLENT TALENT.

The unusual Inclemency of the weather has had a. disastrous effect on the Paeroa Chautauqua Season, very small numbers, attending each session. Nevertheless the performers put on the advertised programme and did their level best, despite the paucity of: the attendance. Without exception, as far as the writer has been able, after many questions, to ascertain, not one of those present at any session has had anything but high praise to bestow on the perform 1 - ances. There is no doubt at all that the fare is a long way ahead of that dished up last year.. It is first-class entertainment right through. Tonight and to-morrow afternoon and evening afford the last opportunity Of a Paeroa audience seeing and hearing Chautauqua, for owing to the weather and the failure of the public to attend the guarantors, will hesitate long before they commit themselves to any further liability for Chautauqua or any other thing for the bene-i fit of the town. The selfish and unfeeling attitude shewn so far dpes.not the development of publicspirited actions. Howevdr, a word or two on last 'night’s session. The evening session yesterday commenced with a violin solo, by Mr Warwick McKenzie, who rendered the beautiful strains of Schulert’s “Ave Maria” with exquisite effect. He was sympathetically accompanied by Miss Ella McKenzie. The moving strains brought forth an enthusiastic demand for an encore. This took the form of a delightful fantasia, followed by yet another encore number. Miss Lo Desca Loveland, the gifted soprano, sang “Dreamy Days” wonderfully well; the delicacy of her tones held the audi.ence spellbound. Her enunciati.on w , as also splendidly clear 1 and her pronunciation accurate. Two encores were given after prolonged applause, “Drink to me only with thine eyes” being very ext pressive.

A piano solo by Miss McKenzie was much appreciated, and respopdedi i<s with Chopin waltz. Several other vocal and 1 m'usical items were rendered, all receiving hearty encores. A report of the subsequent lecture is published under another heading.