A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 29 October 1895, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington,' Oct. 2$ '1895. Last Tuesday night Mr Maughan Barnett's M'usiiar'SoptQt'y gave their first concert in ihe Opera. House, which was well filled with a very appreciative audience. During the first part of the evening, Gade's pretty Cantata " Comala " was most successfully performed, several- of the choruses hating to be repeated, so great was the applause. The solo parts were taken by Madame Carlton, Miss Gwen Davies, Miss Parsons, and Mr J. Prouse, all of whom were splendid. Both Madame Carlton anp Miss ,Davres received lovely bouquets. The second part of the programme consisted of some very pretty and bright orchestra pieces, a harp solo 'which was encored, by Miss Hatherly, an_d •« Times Great Monotone " composed by Mr A. F. Hill ; the baritone solo part being effectually taken by Mr Prouse. During the interval Sir, Robert Stout, on betfalf of the members of the Society, presented Mr Barnett with a large floral harp, from the Jadies,jand from the gentlemen, a very handsome baton. In making the presentation Sir Robert made a very pleasant little ppeech} v fend Mr Barnett feelingly responded,' .Madame Carlton was wearing on this occasion, a becoming gown of crimson plush, the j sleeves and trimmings round the corsage were of white satin, fast-

ened down at intervals with bands of

ihe plush. Miss Gwen Davies looked very distingue in black figured silk with fall falling sleeves of white net. Misa Parsons wore a prettj^helio!iropß gown trimmed with velvet of a darker shade. .Among the audience I noticed Mesdaunes Levin, Pearson, Hales,' Oope, BarTlett, Turn bull, Merz, Hughs, Parsons, and the Misses Menzies,

"Williams TurnhuUgJ^poper^ Borlace, Wilson, GorejpW^iffpfi^l^Efift; Pickering, andMtHSrs. On Thursdjy^mgiit; the Choral Festival Socrety, under the conduefcorship of Mr : Robert Packer, wtre ambitious enough to produce 11 Faust," which, as most people know, is a very difficult work to perform, and requires a great deal of practise, however, in spite of a few Blight hitches, the performance was a very creditable, J one, and the audience showed its appreciation by burata of loud applause. The Jewel long, beautifully sung by Madame Carlton being very enthusiastically encored, and for which she received two or three bouquets. The other 1010 parts were taken by Miss M. Sampson, Miss Pender, Mr J. Hill, Mr Waters and ; Mr H. Wright, who were all very good.

Some of thosq present were Lady Stout in black brocade and jet ; Mrs Wallis, black silk trimmed with lace ; Mr and Miss Pearce, Mr and Mrß Traverff, Mrs and Miss Joseph, Mrs Levin, Mr 1 and Mrs Maughan Barnett, Mrs and* Miss Johnston, Mrs Baldwin, Miss Gwen Davies, Mrs and Miss Qttick, Madame Merz, the Misses Tlirtfball, Bu/nes, Gore, Richardson, Prouse, Davy, Halse., Dransfield, Coleridge, etc.

The Brougfeand Boucicaulfc Company opened their aeason here last night to a crowded- house; The 41 Second Mrs U&qgueray " was the piece staged, an^'tnere is little heed to say, that with such a talented company, it wa's well done. Mrs Brough wears some lovely gowns in this play. She first appears in a very pale pint dinner gown trained and trimmed with lace ; then again she looks chajeming in a fawn walking costume trimmed with moss green and in the last act she wears a beautiful white brocade gown trimmed with- quantities of white lace.

Among the audience were Mr and Mrs Parfitt, Mr and Mrs Larnacb, the Misses Brandon, Mr and the Misses Barron, Mr snd Mrs J. Fulton, Mrs and Mias Abbott, Miss Daniels, Mr and Mrs Baldwin, Mr and Mrs Ross, Mr and Mrs W. Ferguson, Miss Moorhouae, and seTeral others. On Monday night the Vice«Rpgal yarfcy sare tp^J^^njteaent*— when 4 Bebeilious Susan " is to be played.