A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 28 July 1894, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, 28th July, 1894. I spent a most enjoyable evening at the Opera Houbo last Tuesday, on the occasion of the Wellington Orchestral Society's Concert, The concert on the whole, was really first class and both conductor ([Mr Alfred Hill) and performers are sincerely to be congratulated. We perhaps baldly realize the educational value of such a sooiety as this, so used Uave we got to their high class programmes, which are presented to the subscribers at intervals — two or three or perhaps four times during eaoh year. Of the Orchestral items, Hummel's grand Concerto in A Minor was the work of the evening and was given with a brilliance and firmness which has but recently been acquired by the Society. Several selections from Mr Alfred Hill's new opera "The Whipping .Boy." were given with fair success, but one can hardly give an opinion, by. hearing suoh fragments, as to the merits of the work as a whole. We are hoping to hear it in its entirety before long, when you may expect my humble opinion on the production of our talented young townsman. Many people are worried throughout a performance conducted by Mr Hill, by bis would be eccentricities! since they have been but g^cently acquired. I myself am aorry to ace it, and feel sure that MiHill is clever enough to scorn all such nonsense. The old fashioned theory that a clever man must necessarily be whimsical is fast dying out. The fashion appears fo me to have been started by Professor Blaokie, a clever and undoubtedly genuinely eocentric man and I hope, that it will die with the old Philosopher in Scotland and not appear in New Zealand any more but I am digressing.

The Boloiatß of the evening were Mr John Prouse, who sang " ProPeccatic " in splendid style, an enoore being instantly demanded and generously giveb, and Mrs Parsons, who sang the Aria from " Jeptha," but not to as great an advantage as I have before heard here. There were between 80 and 40 instrumentalists on the stage and among them I noticed, several ladies— the Misses Kennedy, G. Kennedy, Pitcher, Holt, Hirchberg and Kebbell — Misg M. Riclhardßon, who generally plays also, being absent. Mr Sewell's clarionet solo was exquisitely played and completed an excellent and inetruotive programme. Thdre was a large and fashionable audience, inoluding the Earl of Glasgow, Lady Augusta Boyle, wearing a pretty white frock, and Capt. and Mrs Johnston Stewart, the latter wearing black satin and lace and a black opera cloak to match. Ottiers I saw. were Mrs (Capfc) Russell and Miss Bussell, Mr E. Pearce and Miss Pearce, Mrs Dowell, Madame Merz, Mr and Mrs Parfitt, Mr and Mrs Sprott, Mrs and Miss Tolhurst, Mr and Mrs F. Allen, Miss Hilda Johnston, and Miss Arkwright, of Bangitikei. Mrs Johnston Stewart gave

gave

another large afternoon " At Home " yesterday at Government House, a number of guests assembling between ' the hours of 4 and 6 and passing the time pleasantly with chatting and drinking afternoon tea, the latter beiag prettily laid out in the dining • room* Music was unfortunately conspicuous by its absence ; unfortunately I say, because it is such a welcome addition at an affair of this

kind, bat perhaps it is difficult to * arrange for it when the- guests continue to come and go throughout the afternoon. I did not see any par- . ticularly striking gowns, but among the guests were Mrs (Capt) Russell and Miss Russell, the Hon B. and Mrs Leckie, Mr and Mrs Ktfgginson, Mr and Mrs A. Brandon, Mrs and Miss Gibson, Miss . Kebbell, Mr and Mrs Quick, Mrs and Miss Medley, Miss Dransfield, etc The " At Home " — invitations for which have been out for some time-*

of Dr and Mrs Grace's, takes place to-night at the Princess theatre, Tory-street, and will be a large affair.

SIGNA.