THE LATE CONCERT. CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT. CROWNING VICTORY OF THE 7,V,M: . WAR. * \~i

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 34, 19 December 1879, Page 2

THE LATE CONCERT.

CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

CROWNING VICTORY OF THE 7,V,M: . WAR. * \~i

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MANAWATU HERALD. Sir — Permit me, as a stranger here, to express the gratification I felt at the success of tho Choral Society's concert last night. I understand that several of tho best singers were absent ; if so, then great credit is due to thoao wlio were present, for the really excellent and variod selections performed. Might I, in a friendlj way, urge some of tho singers to pay more attention to tho articulation of the words ? Those who have heard such singers as Mr S mtley, Madamo Sainton Dolly, Madamo Bishop, and others in the old country, can readily recall the fact that their word? came out us well defined, and as distinctly, ns if they had spoken them. Words are like the moulds used for blanc mange.*, and should be well curved and rounded, to have n pleasing effect. Wishing tho Society evsry success id future, I am, &0., A Stranger. Fozton, 17th December.

The Foxton Choral Sooiety gave the first concert of the fourth season on Wednesday evening last, at the Publ'c Hall. The attendance was about equal to the average at the con* ceits given last season, but we cannot refrain from remarking that it ia matter for regret that sj few (comparatively speaking) of the population avail themselves of the opportunity the concerts present of spending a really pleasant and enjoyable evening. At Wednesday's concert, the attendance of adults was about 70 or 80, which gave a sjood sprinkling over the Hall, whilst the frout seats were filled. Nevertheless it might reasonably be expected that residents of the township would accord more general support to su«h an institution. The attendance, however, in no way depressed the spirits of the performers, who went into their work with right hearty good will, the re&ulfc being a concert equal to any previously given in Foxton, notwithstanding thai several faces were absent on Wednesday night. We noticed a preat improvement iv the glee music, which was performed with great precision and expression, though the bass was rather light throughout. '.The overture to the first part consisted of " The Fairy Queen Galop," which was played in good style, whilst the second part led off with " The Goldfinch Quadrilles," arranged as a piano duet, and brilliantly played. The favorite old glee, " Mark the Merry H.lves,"was the first on the programme, and showed signs of careful practice, the different parts being taken up promptly, and the expression clearly marked. " Song should bieathe of scents and flowers," is a remarkably pretty glee, and was heard to great advantage, being one of tre finest pieces of concerted music the Society has performed for months past, the full harmonies of the piece rolling out in capital style. " Amid the Gloom" (by Mendelssohn, in A minor) »vas the last glee in the first part, and also went very well The opening chorus in the second part was the celebrated "Anvil Chorus " (" bee how the darkness of night") from "II Trovatore." This piece was the gem of the concerted music, and a brilliant success, the opening bars in unison for tenors and basses beiug given with great spirit, whilst on the full body oi voices taking up the passage, "Who gives the gipsy," the effect was really fine, being strengthened by the ringing soands of an anvil which was placed at roar of the stage. The last glee of the evenin-.', "Tiswhcn the cup is smiling," went fairly well. A word of high praise is due to the lady who per* formed the glee and most of the other accompaniments throughout the even* ing, not the slightest hitch occurring, whilst many of the pieces were ex* tremely difficult. 'J here were three duets sung. The first, " Love and Prido," a, serio - comic piece, into which the singers threw themselves with energy, " took" immensely with the audience, the acting leuding a flavour to the piece which was evidently acceptable, and an iiiesistible encore was the result,, the last part being given iv response. " What are the wild waves saying? " was the next duet on the programme, and was well received by the audience?, being per. formed .creditably. In. the second part, the only duet was entitled " What's a' the steer, kimmer ?•* and wns given in such excellent style as to be redemauded by the audU ence, the last verse being repeated. Near the bottom of the programme, was the trio, •' Ye shepherds, toll me," wliieh was given effectively, and loudly applauded. As a whole the songs were very well given, and showed that the Society is in no way deficient in talent. " We'd better bidy a wee," trent well, whilst " Come into the garden, .Maud," and " Duncan Gray," re ceived terrific encores. The gentleman who sang the former song showed great improvement in the management of his voice, and is to be congratulated on the progress he has made in the vocal art. " Love's Bequest," which was sung by one of the leading sopi anos of the society, sustained the popularity of the singer, and in response to a furious encore, "Little Sweetheart, come and kiss me," was given in a very winning style. " Edinbro' Town," sung by a Scotchman who always favours the audience with a song from the land of his birth, was given with fine expression, and richly deserved tho encore bestowed upon it. The other songs given were the following - " Eileen Alannah," " Murmur of the Shell," " Wreck of the Hesperus, 11 " Still I love thee," and " The Dear Little Shamrock," all of which were given with feeling and appreciation, " Still I love thee" being excellently sung. The concert was conducted throughout by Mr J. It. Russell. In conclusion, the Society ia to be congratulated upon the success of the concert, and we hope in a nionih or two to see it largely reinforced by the addition of now voices, and to attend the second concert of tha season with as great pleasure as that of Wednesday afforded.

, _„. . + > [/ROM POST'S CORBEt-PONHEKT.] y Adelaide, 16th December. The 8.8. Orient, which arrived to-day from London, via the Cape, brings the news of the crowning victory of the British forces in Zululand. Entrenohed yi a strongly-fortified position on a precipitous mountain, very difficult of access, the wellknown and warlike chief, Morosi, for a long time kept the British at defiance, refusing to listen to any tarms of surrender. It was then determined to storm him in his stronghold. Owing to tt>e advantages of their position, however, the besieged Zulus managed to keep the British attack ing force at bay for several days. Various attempts were made to Htvrm the mountain, but again and again t ho British were obliged to retire without effecting their object, many valuable lives being lost. Eventually the Pre» mi?r of the Cape, who wns with the attacking force, induced Morosi to come half-way down the mountain to hold a parley. Having benn told that he must surrender unconditionally, Morosi declined to accept thug* terms, and retired to his camp, defying tho English to do their worst. It was then rcsolrcd to make one mom desperate attempt to dislodge the enemy, and Ibis time the preparations were made on the most complete scalo. A midnight attack was determined on as affording the greatest chances of success. Accordingly on the 19th November, as soon as the moon had dipped below the horizon, the British soldiers began to move up from the valley below where they were encamped, towards** tfie mountain. The forces were spread out around its bnstt, and the attack was made from four different points. It was almost) pitch dark when the final order to' advance was given, and the British, as stealthily but as rapidly as possible, proceeded to scale the heights. They soon found, however, that the enemy were on the alert, and that thei-0 was no hope of taking them by sutyrise. First they were greeted with a brisk fire of musketry from the entrenchment, followed by a number of heavy btones which the Zulus rolled down the sharp declivity. Our native allies became panicstricken at this reception, and instantly i' ed, leaving behind them the ladders which'they were carrying for the purpose of healing tho fortifications. The Riflemen, nothing # daunted, however, seized the laddevs themselves, planted them against the wall, and proceeded to storm the entrenchment. lieutenant Stringer was the first over the wall, and others soon followed. They attacked the enemy with the most desperate gallantry, < fighting hand-to-hand, and marvellously escaped being injured, although the Zulu* were firing point-blank at them the whole time. This no doubt was due in a great measure to the darkness preventing the combatants from seeing each other. The English soldiers then rapidly poured into the fortification, and having fixed bayonets charged in a line across the mountain, carrying all before them. The Zulus were utterly paralysed by the attack, and were slaughtered wholesale, no quarter being given. The victory was most complete, and has decided the campaign. Morosi himself was slain, and thosu of hw followers who were not killed were corttpletfllv dispersed. A number of fcatering %6aicß of men killed in previous sieges werefoufc^^ in the entrenchment. It is certain no^H that there will be no further resistance c^H the part of the Zulus. .