A Lady's Letter,

Manawatu Herald, 14 May 1895, Page 2

A Lady's Letter,

Wellington, May 9, 1895. Miss Fishei's complimentary con* cert was, as I foretold, a great success, there being a very large audience and with the exception of one or two, each item on the programme was encored. Miss Fisher was heard at her best in the song " When the tide comes in." her soft singing being, particularly sweet and pathetic, and ncr voice blending with Misa tjose _31aney's clear soprano in the duet " Welcome " was also very effective. Miss Blaney also made a great 1 hit ' ; she has a very good voice and certainly knows how to sing, and the unaffected and easy way she sang her songs was very pleasing to bear, she, as well as Miss Fißher was rewarded with some beautiful bouquets. Madame Merz also sang, "Schubert's Serenade" being'Hjßr selection, which she sang with great feeling. Mr Prouse was in splendid voice and had to repeat each of his song*, as also did Mr Williams, who always has the audience with him, so to speak. Miss Scharrer of Melbourne gave two recitations very successfully, but her voice was not strong and penetrating enough for such a large building as the Opera House. The various accompaniments were played by the Misses Cimino and Proust and Messrs Tallis, Trimnell and R. Parker, Miss Fisher looked very well in ft white gown trained, and the bodioe trimmed with white fur. Misf Blaney wore very pale yellow satin and lace. Madame Merz black satin and lace. Miss Scharrer, a black velvet gown, with full sleeves to the wrist of cream net. Miss Cimino wore a very neat and becoming gown of black with a pointed yoke of white silk. Miss Prouse, a simple frock of dark velvet and yellow sash. Among the audience I noticed Lady Hector, Mesdames Levin, Toihurst, Patterson, Morrison, Dennis* ton (Dunedin), Heywood, Cruickshank, Whitehead, Hislop, Tuckey, and the Misses Seddon (3), Laishley, Tolhurst, Heywood, Gore, Allen, Hislop, Rose, Malcolm, Reid, etc. Concerts seem to be quite the rage ju&t now, I have yet another to chronicle, that given by the Wellington Liedertafel in Thomas' Hall on Tuesday night. It was a most successful affair and the room was crowded with guests. The part songs for male voices are really very pretty and harmonious, on this occasion, the Students Parting Song (which was sung as a compliment to Mr W. A. Day who is leaving the Society and Wellington at an early date) and the "Blue Danube Waltz " were the most taking. Mr Day who was in very good voice was encored for his song " My Love is come " and in response sang " My life for thee." Mr R. Gibson was the other soloist and sang " Beauty's eyes " with flute obligato bj Mr L. Cohen. During the interval tea, coffee and cakes were handed round and were duly appreciated. There is a regular craze for tailor made costumes just now among the ladies here, I must say they are very nice things to have if one can afford it, which is not always the case, though I am not so sure that it is not cheaper in the long run, ai tailor madi gowns, are, with few -excer^idhg; well nwde^jfld keep in shape, whidh _3^e^mt thing, twice if not three times as long as gowns made by women. Satin ribbons of all colours are worn on hats anel bonnets, but the ribbon must be stiff and of good quality to make effective bows. High nodding black plumes are also much worn, as well as jet ornaments of all shapes and sizes. Ruffles at the neok are. again coming into vogue I. am sorry to say for I don't think them becoming at all, except perhaps, to. ladies With long slender necks ; thejr are made in all colours and tied with long ribbons in front.