A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 2 November 1897, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

WfeLL-kGioN, Oct. 80, 1897. The Orchestral Society gave its second c-_,i:«ii: of the eight season on Tuesday last in the Opera HouseAs usual there was a splendid audiebtie, ahd tbe applause after each item showed how thoroughly appreciative, it .Was. The.cbncert opened with Cherubim's Overture frota " Die Abenceragen," being played very well, and was followed by Beethoven's Conoerto for pianoforte and orchestra. This last number was indeed a treat to listen to, the solo js&rt being played by Mr Maughan Barnett in a truly masterlike and artistic manner, while Mr J. H. Otto Schwartz acted as conductor. The Orchestra also gave a waltz from the Ballet " Dorwioschen " by Tschaikawsky— a delightful number ■—the " Scherzo," " Motturno " and " Wedding March " from Mendelssohn's" Midsummer Night's Dream," the "for eadoret " Andalouse " from the Ballet of Bubinstein's, and Nos. 5 and 6 of Brahms popular Hungarian Dances* these last being capitally played, Witb Vigour and decision. Mr Barnett is to be congratulated upon the way in which he works his orchestra up, everything being splendidly performed. Mr J. W. Hill was the only vocalist on this occasion, and sang B. Godard's " Angels Guard Thee," tn a very charming manner, and for his second number gave " Madrigal " (Chaminade) and " Love Song " (MacDowell) bracketed. Mr Hill was recalled for both and sang for his encores two delightful little airs of which I did not know the titles. Some of the ladies playing in the orchestra were Mrs Levi, who wore a soft white gown trimmed with chiffon frills ; the Misses G. Kennedy and Holt, wearing black gowns trimmed with white lace ; Mrs Barrie, pale blue crepon with a bodice of chiffon to match ; Miss Henry, black velvet finished with jet ; Miss Pilcher, black velvet with white lace and scarlet roses on the bodice ; Miss Barbor, pale yellow silk; Miss Stuart, black velvet and white lace ; Miss Mabro Jones, who acted as accom panist to Mr Hill, wore a soft white silk dress with chiffon sleeves to match. The audience included Lord and Lady Ranfurly, Capt. Alexander, Lieut. Ward, and Hon. Hill-Trevor. The Countess looked very nice in a black silk skirt and a theatre bodice of pretty cream accordion silk made with a loose sack back, and trimmed with lovely cream silk lace. She also wore a beautiful pearl and diamond necklace, and cream lace wings in her hair and as a wrap, a blaok satin cloak with a shoulder cape of crimson velvet edged with fur. The following night the Opera House was again crowded on the occasion of the entertainment organ ized by Lady Douglas in aid of the new school room for the Thorndon Lads' Club. On the whole, the evening was a mo3t successful one, though the performance was perhaps a little too long, and I only hope that, from a financial point of view, it will be as great a success. I think the most attractive, at any rate the most novel, feature of the programme was the Bicycle Display which was splendidly performed by twelve ladies, namely, Mrs Bristowe and the Misses Page (2), Reid, Pownall, Hislop, A. Bose, Bannister, Harcourt, Cox, Simpson and Edwin. They were all dressed in white duck blouses and skirts and sailor hats, and six wore rad ties, belts and bat bands wbile the remaining six wore pale blue, and each bicycle wa_ prettily decorated with flowers and ribbons. The rest of the programme was made up with Tableaux, Dancing, Fenoing, etc., also songs by Mr Prouse, who sang the " Vuloan Song " and "To morrow will be Friday," in bis usual fine style, and Mr Douglas Jackson sang " Her Majesty " in a pleasing mauner. The songs sung by Miss L. Grave and Miss Mcc in the moving tableau of an Eastern Court Scene were much appreciated, the former lady receiving a beautiful bouquet. The Earl of Ranfurly, Lady Constance Knox, Capt. Alexander, Lieutenant Ward and Hon. Mr Trevor were among the audience, tbe seoond mentioned being dressed in a simple white muslin frock. I also saw Mrs Seddon, Mrs Ella Johnston (Rangitikei), who wore a white silk gown trimmed with laoe. Last night the Festival Choral Society gave their third subscription ooncert of this season in the Opera House. Thb conoert opened with Weberls Overture from Oberon which was followed by the beautiful soprano solo " Infelice " by Mendolssohn, with orchestral accompaniment. Madame Eveleen Carlton, who took the solo part, sang better than I have ever heard her before, and that, I consider is saying as much in her praise as is possible, for it is indeed seldom we hear this talented lady sing in any way but well. The i second part of the programme comprised Gant3* "Joan of Arc," a work quite new to us. Ifc is, in parts very charming and tuneful, I some of the choruses being very 1 1 taking. The solo parts were. taken : : by Madame Carlton (soprano), Mr .

F. V. Waters (bass), and Ut fi. & Gibson (tenor), ali three doing extremely well in their respective parts. The whole was, as.usqalj conducted by Mr Robert barker; Madame Carlton was gowned iji & lovely, wbite ribbed silk, trained and the bodice beautifully embroidered with pearls. In the orchestra I saw Miss Pilcher, who wore black velvet with white lace round the corsage } Miss fienry, black figured silk with a white chiffon fischu ; Missßarbor, pale yellow silk and lace j the Misses Gore ahd Hennah, White. i.hefre was a large audience, a few I noticed present being Mrs Montgomery (Wanganui), black silk with a fall front of cream chiffon ; Miss Montgomery, pale blue silk trimmed with black velvet, white cloak; Dr and Mrs Henry, the latter wearing a black gown trimmed with white under black laC6. Yesterday afternoon Mrs (Dr) Findlay entertained a number of guests at an afternoon " At Home." During the afternoon Madame Merz sang several songs, and King's band also gave items. Mrs Findlay received in a black satin gown trimmed with yellow eilk and jet, and some of tbose present were Mesdames Firth, (Judge) Williams, Fitchette, Travers, Stafford, and Misses Bell, Stafford, Williams and others. Siona.