The Lorraine Melodists.

Manawatu Herald, 28 December 1893, Page 2

The Lorraine Melodists.

— ¥he tjoncert-given— by" the above company in the Public Hall on TuQsday might ! -was a great success as far as the performers were con-■c^fnea'r'b'urtlle'ftfu-tmtei'nbte picnics held that day interfered with the attendance. ._T_hose. who were present very much" enjoyed the music, and there is no doubt but that the Tansleys are a tuneful family. We regretted to learn that Mr Tansley was suffering from a bad throat which prohibited him taking part in the concert - -Mrs T4n3.ley_was:however present and it gave unfeigned pleasure to her mauy.vffciepds in this town to note that time instead of marring had greatly improved her voice and style.: her daughters have in her a most formidable rival. Ow ing to Mr Tadisley's absence the programme advertised was not able to be adhered r tp r^ ; wlaf in Exchange 3ya& jfl&t^^gdcia^ff tie. Melodists w«efprfon>jte;i^b|^njng; the assistance 61 $is-$/^ptm^j& pianiste for many oi th;eirpie^s,;th^ solos being moatly accompanied by'; either Miss Mabel or Miss Florence.

Mr Duff who opened the concert with " Rocket! in the-cradle of the deep" has a fine deep voice and sang the song most creditably. Miss Hetty who possesses a very fine con* tralto voice followed with " Truth in absence " and was accorded a hearty encore, whlqn sjfe &e£no;wledged l>y repeating <a verse* Mh&dtoei "What are the wild waves saying " between Miss Mabel and Mr Duff came next and was much enjoyed. Mis 3 Florence sang " Roberto " in a pleasing manner, for which she was accorded considerable applause. Mrs Tansley,' who was enthusiastically greeted, sang ••• Didst Thou but know " in fine style, and in response to the encore sang " Mol'.ie Astove " One of the best items of the evening was the duefc " Ora Pro Nobis," by the Misses Mabel and Florence, theirvoices blending most sweetly in the feeling prayer. Miss Hetty's singing of the well-known song " Three fishers went sailing " was excellent, and was considered one that suited her voice admirably, and was encored. Miss Florence and Mr Duff sang the auiusidg duet " A.8.C," in a very pleasing manner. Mr Duffs comic song " I took^ it" took the back aiidience, and -caused hini to take himself back after the finish. "Call" John/ by the whole company, was a "tuneful" gfee' 'showing up thevoices, and was much enjoyed and heartily: ap.pla.uded,. The second part.-t& our. mind showed tKe' Melodists in even better light than the first part, as they iudulged us with many most tuneful pieces, starting with "The Bells," which is known so well from being a popular piece with the Payne family. The Melodists have no cau?e to fear a comparison. The Jubilee Singer's 11 Oh Sinner Man," was finely rendered, and received much applause. " Gideon's Band " was .another item in which, the company showed the manner their voices blended richly together. " None shall part us "by Miss Florence and Mr Thompson was also a pleasing duet. The quartette "JBrq .PJaundo Basso " was sung with gVeaWigoiir and much music by the Misses I ,. Hetty and Florence and Messrs Duff and Thompson : it was a very . pleasing item. " Dear Heart" was sung by Misr Mabel very sweetly and . was much applauded. A chorus,, the " Carnovale " by the Melodists was sung with much power and expression. Mr, Thompson^ a- gentleman whor possesses a very good tenor .voice sang the "Yeoman's Wedding song ••' in &,macb. appreciated manner.^ •'Th^J^at.my father wore .',', a comic, song^bi; Mr pus .brought dpwn.jthe hou§e,,ifc being , excellently; suQg^§X the.; ; singV' ;^ ve ; m - uch l | quiet, >e^|>baiis .to. the; points. A, tempestuous';: demand v for/ a tion. ' secflv^d : -%n ot JjeiiL yer f ?*■ , c perfprpoaflpe cpncluded with " Ring thelbell wat?hflig,n V; the least satisfaclibry iten\ on the : programme, to our mind, by the strength of the company i. In conclusion we may be permitted to say that the concert proved a sort of surprise to many who were there, as the company not being professionals, the style and class pf music, given Ayas not expected, and no ohV begrudged speeding of an evening in their company. We haveTnoj recorded all the applauga. given, a? it. would be monotonous, each'pe^pruaer's efforts being most heartily .acknowledged,, and every item would have been resung had th% theic way.. Mrs Tan6reyjhrove"d the' possession of tt fine soprano voice well trained and under full cbmniand, whilst Miss Mabel has a younger and similar voice, though it does not appear to be as yet so softened in tone. Miss Flovence.h&s a mezzo-soprano voice and has paid much care to her training. Miss Hetty, being a true Foxton girl, has prejudiced us perhaps in thinking she possesses the sweetest voice of the sisters, but any way; she has a rich contralto voice, and reridejL'ed her- songs in an. admirable manner. t - v . . We have no hesitation in saying that the Lorraine Melodists offer a most pleasing evening's entertain-

menfc, and we were glad to hear it announced that they intend to give another concert at the commencement of the new year, when a bumper house should greet them.