HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 116, 18 May 1877, Page 2

HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The announcement that the Harmonic Society, would sing Wallace's charming opera of "Maritana" attracted an overflowing audience to the Provincial Hall last night. Although no music has been perhaps so hackneyed, there is none which retains its hold on popular favor so much as this sparkling composition. Performed very often by the first artistes of the day, rendered by Philharmonic Societies all the world over, " done to death " in cheap concert rooms to delighted audiences, the music of "Maritana " is nevertheless always fresh and pleasing. The varied orchestral effects were the only things wanting to the success of last night's concert, and it does seem rather strange that with the amount of instrumental musical talent there is in Nelson something like a good orchestra in connection with the Harmonic Society cannot be got together. However, so far as excellent pianoforte accompaniments can compensate for the absence of a full band, they did so last night, for the music throughout was played with unexceptionable taste and fidelity. The opening chorus "Sing pretty maiden sing" went smoothly, and the romance "It was a knight of princely mien" was sung with graceful spirit. The well known Jaria " The harp in the air " received full justice at the hands of & young lady who undertook it at a moment's notice consequent upon the illness of the fair singer to whom this song had been allotted. The duett "Of fairy wand had I the power " enabled the audience to appreciate the pleasure of listening to a well-cultiva-ted and powerful soprano voice, supported by a basso who knew his music perfectly. The tenor song "All the world over," we thought was sung rather too tamely although very correctly, and in the finale to the first act the rollicking air "Farewell my gallant Captain," was rather marred by the severe cold the singer was evidently suffering from. The contralto aria " Alas those chimes " was suDg with painstaking care, and the trio " Turn on old time " went exceedingly well. The cavatina "Let me like a soldier fall" met with much approval, the cornet obligato being exceedingly well played, and the melodious singing of "In happy moments " elicited the first encore of the evening. The song "Hear ,me gentle Maritana," and the cavatina " There is a flower that bloometh " were carefully reudered. That most delightful of airs, " Scenes that are brightest," was sung with such grace and sweetness as to elicit a hearty encore, and a like compliment was paid to the gentleman who rendered with appreciative vigor the song " This heart by woe o'ertaken." The duet between Don Caesar and the King was well sung, and in the following duet between Maritana and Don Cssar the brilliant execution of the fair representative of the Ghana, and the correct and tasteful singing of the tenor called forth loud applause and an encore, The dupfc " Sainted mother" was apparently much appreciated. The choruses as a whole were well done; there was at times a little inclination to get "off the rails," but taken .altogether the music of the opera was well got up, and the public who filled the Hall are much indebted to the ladies and gentlemen of the society for a most enjoyable evening.