THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 57, 16 July 1879, Page 2

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

So man y- appeals have of lat» been made for patronage, and one entertainment has followed another m such quick succession th.at the prevailing opinion m town was that the concert m aid of All Saints' Church parsonage would not be a pecuniar; success. The result, we are pleased to say, has proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that when an entertainment worthy of patronage is placed before them, the public do not hold aloof ; and the fact fciiat upon an evening boisterous and tempestuous m the extreme, such a house as graced ths Foresters' Hull on Thursday evening could be brought together, w^s a fluttering tribute to the attractive nature of the pro.gram.me. We have no dOMbt that very many bestowed their patronage on account of the very lauda.ble object for which the enter, ainnient was given, but those were the people who took the tickets, still that the bait which drew; so many from their comfortable fireside 3 w»i the enticing iteini upon the bill of fare, was evidenced by the fact that from botween £.? and £8 were taken at the doors alone. . The concert opened with a duetfc on the piano by Mr. King and Master Hayna, which was, as it deserved to be, loudly applauded, fallowed by. " The King's Highway," bj Mr. Slade. We confess we liked that gentleman less m that than m anything we burp yet heard him, the great drawback being a want of proper enunciation and spirit. The pleasing ballad, " For ever," was given with the greatest judgment and feeling by Mrs ; Marsh, that lady being m excellent voice, and singing with a pathos and precision which received deserved recognition, and had the audience fairly warmed up to the buwnesi of fche evening, she would not have escaped an encore. The glee, " Farewell to the Forest," was but passable, a decided want of practice being " observable, and much of the effect being marred by the absence of all musical accompaniment — :two drawbacks which are sufficient to jeopardise any piece. Those who are aware of the difficulty experienced m part singing without long and continued practices, will admit that a most difficult task was essayed, particularly as one of the gentlemen had not been ca<t for the part, and kindly filled the breach at the last moment, The sentimental song, "When I was young," — being the answer to " Bide a wee " — was rendered by Mrs. Holt with much sweetness and judgment. The piano solo, "The Ivy G-reen," by Mita Atkimon, which followed, yvn« dacidedly the gem of the evening, the delicacy of touch, rap : difcy of execution, "aid wonderful manipulation, fairly bringing down thft housei G-anerally speaking thS" *' deities " m the gallery do not euro for such histh-class execution, but it is a romplimenr alik<» flattering t* the.- lady and. their own good judgment that the " goria " were amongst the most vociferous applnuders. This appreciation was evin?ed to the extent thnt upon her appearanre m the second part, her entry upon the stage was the signnl For a hearty round of applause. " Happy be thy drenm«," wa9 given m such a manner by Mr. Batohelar as to elicit an encore, when he favored the audience with Cox's new and pleusing balbid, " Don't forget to write, my darling." The character-song of "Doctor Q.imnk," by Mr. Pirani, wits irresistibly comic, his bye-play and make-up contributing mno ■mall mea?urfli to his sue 'c •. On being recalled he sang an amusing parody upon " Just after the buttle mother," which wa3 even more favorably received. A Scandinavian gloe terminated the flr. j t portion of the programme ; and here the effoct of eScient practice ma'Je itself nnnifestlv apparent, the symphony beinsr perfe-itly faultless, the voi(;es blandins m tha sweefca^l harmony, and the patches bein<j taken up with a care, precision, an r l attention to time only to ''« mastere:! by long and continuous pr notice. Although the Scandinavians warci four time 3 before the audience during the evening, anfl the plee« were by no mevis short, the general feeling appeared quite the reverse, and the very mnrked demonstration fnin bath hall ami gallery must- have' fatrlv conv.ince/l lite singers < hah their effort s had been thoronsjhl v npprefiated. Before proceeding to discuss the iiidividua,! merits of the various items

ob the second portion of tb* programme, we must say that individually and collectively the singer* wire heard to far greater advantage, and upon the whole it showed a marked improvement. It was/to' -.hare; opened with a duett on the piano, 'by Messrs. King and Seaton, but m th* absence of the latter, Mr. Sing substituted a solo, and was loudly applauded at' its conclusion. Sir John Steven's charming duett, "Elow on thou shiniug rirer," was ad-, mirably giren by Mrs. Keeling and Mr«. Rackell, the clear ringing soprano of the former being ably seconded by the contralto of the latter. Muoh disappointment was evinced that those ladies did not allow the audience the pleasure of a solo, for we feel convinced a song or ballad from either would have been a treat. Mr. "Watson followed with the somewhat difficult piece " She is mine," and although he acquitted himself very fairly, and proved that ho wa3 a finished musician, we consider he would be heard to greater advantage m concerted singing, where he would be fouud an invaluable acquisition. The Hibernian ballad, Eileen Alanah," was given by Mrs. Snelson with a feeling which duly interpreted the words of the author, while the plaintive melody of the composer was rendered with, a mournful piquancy —if we may use the paradox— thoroughly characteristic of the nation ilttj of the piece. It was arranged that an echo chorus should be attached, hut we regret to , say that, owing to th* wretchedly defective acoustic properties of the hall, it was a decided failure. The audience were certainly aware that other voices beside that of the singer were being heard, but the prevailing impression wus that they were an interruption rather than an acquisition. In response to a hearty encore, Mrs. Snelspn, sang m a most pleasing manner, "Tell him I love him jet." Aftei* a Scandinavian glee, Miss Atkinson again delighted the audience with a most difficult pianoforte piece, and m vain sought to e--eape a recall ; but after a perfect babel of uproarious demonstration, was fain compelled to once more return to the stage, when she delighted her admirers with Rosnini's masterpiece of sacred music, " Cujus Animam," Mr. Batchelar next appeared, and sang the pathetic song, " The Arab's Farewell to his steed," m splendid etyle, when being recalled he fairly excelled himself m " The R«d- cross Banner." giving it with a patriotic fire whjch fairly brought down the house.. The descriptive song— " The will o' the wisp," was given m grand style by My- Slade, and amply atoned for any little former short o^min^s. ThJ» was the great song that Tom Baipfort so much prided himself upon, but Bainfort, even m hia best days could not give it as Mr. Slade did on Monday evening. It was simply grand, and— of course gallantly excluding the efforts of the ladies— should " de3ervedlj obtain the palm. Upon a recall, he gave "Kav* on thou stormy ocean," abo inmagnificent style, th* most difficult music being carried through without a single defect. The amusing comic song " For you'll all be wanted," bj Volunteer Snoggin-, wit i certain lo al allusions, terminated the programme and brought to a close one of the most successful entertainments from every point of view which has been given m Pal- ; meraton. We must not omit to menl'on that Mr. Seat on presided at the pic ft • during the evening m a most effeotiv* manner. ■ • ..