AMATEUR CONCERT IN AID OF CHURCH OF ENGLAND BUILDING FUND.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 39, 17 November 1864, Page 2

AMATEUR CONCERT IN AID OF CHURCH OF ENGLAND BUILDING FUND.

The first fMusical Entertainment of any sort that has ever taken place in Oamaru, was the Amateur Concert given in the assembly room at the Northern Hotel on Wednesday evening, 9th mst. It was given by ladies and gentlemen of the district in aid of the building fund of the Church of England congregation. It must have greatly surprised and gratified the residents of this township, as well as the numerous visitors who were assembled for the occasion of the Pastoral and Agricultural Show, which took place the next day, that so thoroughly finished and elegant a performance could have been gone through by amateurs. The following is the programme : — PART 1. Glee—O, who will o'er the Downs Pearsall. Duet—What are tho wild waves saying ... Glover. Pianoforte Solo —The Harmonious Blacksmith H.indel. Solo—Sweet spii it hear my prayer Wallace. Glee—Blow, gentle gales Bishop. Solo—Many it time aud oft Dugsan. Cornet Solo—Selection from " Martha." Solo—Flow on thou shining river. Pknofoite Duet Diahelli. Duet —Una sera d'amore ... Campana. Solo--Tripping down the lane Browne. Glee—No tocoran campanas (Spanish chant) Bishop. Solo—Adelaide Beethoven. Pianoforte Duet—Overture " Tancredi"... Kos&ini. PART 11. Pianoforte Duet—Overture " Zampa" ... F. Herold. Duet—The Elfin Call Glover. Solo—The Pilgiitu Fathers . .. F. Hemans Pianofoite Solo— " Ch.iuson a boire." Impromptu Schulhoff. Solo-Ah, die la moite Verdi. Comet Duet. Glee —Como where my love lies dreaming... Foster. Duet—The Convent Bells Blockley. Nolo—The Mocking Bud. Glee —When sball wo three meet again . F. Horsley. Solo—The Newfoundland Dog Russell. Pianoforto Duer—Les jolis oiseaux quadi tiles .... . . Linter. Glee -Vadasi via di qua Maitini, God Save the Qcjeen ! Without enteiing into nice professional criticism, which cannot be desired under the circumstance«. it is impossible to refrain fiom one or two allusions to paits of the evening's entertainment. In the ■vocal parts the precHon of utterance was us remarkable as it was pleasant. This must be especially said of the charming solo "bweet Spirit, hear my prayer," and that of "Tiippiiig dovxn the Lane," in Parti.; and of the " Pilgrim Fathers," the " Blocking Bird," and the "Newfoundland Dog," in Part 11. The "Elfin Call" duet of this p-irt can only be spoken of separately; the fairy-like rendeiing of this piece was most fascinating, and the delighted audience seemed scarce satisfied w th the graciously yielded encore to this, and se\cral pieces in eacli pait. '1 he instrumental accompaniments (o all tlie pieces were played most skilfully— chiefly by the same performer, who seemed in his exquisite and finished touch to enter with the skill of a genius and the modesty of an amateur, into even diversity of the piece in hand. He was joined by a lady in two very stiiking and well executed pianoforte duets, "Tanciedi" and " Z.iinpa." The concluding glee, " Vadasi via di qua," or laughing chorus, was most enthusiastically recei". Ed, and among the pieces encored. The National Anthem closed the entertainment, and comprised a verse added in honor of the Piince ot \Vales, whuse bhthday concurred with the occasion.

It vumltl be an omission in this notice not to pi}' a tnbute of praise to the noUe way in which the audience acknowledged the favor bestowed by theaniateur peiiormeis. The attention to elegant dress with many—the marked respectability of all, and the perfect hush of the whole assembly dining the ptrfoiinance, was most gtatifying. The only index ant noise which now and then occurred, was that of promenaders on the grating shingle oluside. And in connection with thi«, it should be mentioned that towards the middle of the performance the issue of resene tickets was stopped—in shoit, the room was full.

'i he instrument ust-d for the occasion was a powerful new piano, very kindly lent for the evening by Mi Shiimski.

The cornet performances were very effective, and seemed to afford gieat pleasure. They were a very pleasant break to the drawing-room character of the r<. st of the entertainment— the glittering instruments and a martial air, struck a new chord.

The Concrrtwas rendered very popular by the kind eonJtbcension of the performers and promoters in placing the tickets at a low pi ice. The room was most tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers. A perspective view of the proposed English I hurch hung behind the orchestra, witn the initials of the Prince of Wales on either side. At the other end of the room was a very large gilt crown, flanked with the respected V. It.