A MUSICAL EVENT

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12605, 16 November 1926, Page 3

A MUSICAL EVENT

HUTT BOWLING CLUB CONCERT j EXCELLENT PROGRAMME. ! V ' _ _ .JFJ j One of the events of the year at i Hutt is the concert of the local Bowl- ; ing, Tennis and Croquet Club. It- may ' indeed be called an event for the city, ' for unless there is some very special occasion during the twelve months the Hutt concert represents the best collection of talent that Wellington can furnish. This is mainly due to Mr E. J. Hill. Of a famous musical family, well-known as a singer, renowned as a bowler, Mr .Hill collects an array of musical ability which is sufficient to pack the largest local hail. Last evening’s programme was quite in. line with its forerunners, and the sight of it had been sufficient (so it is said) to sell no less than 2000 tickets for the performance, winch goes to show that besides being a musical and social event the concert is no mean source of income to the Hutt Club. It was the loth year that the concert had been given, and at the close there was no difference of opinion as to whether it had been worth while. Particular interest attached to the appearance of Miss Millicent Knight, that brilliant young singer who has made a trip to Europe for purposes of study, and has- had the fortune to become a protege of Ada Crossley since last New Zeamtid ' heard her. Miss Knight always was possessed of a voice of fine timbre and emotional force; she showed last evening that she has now more control than ever,* and that she has acquired thatVpolish which can only come from the opportunities' <jf hearing stylish singers, and of studying under tho best models that the Old World can give. Her numbers were. “My Heart is Weary” (“Samson and Delilah”), given with fine tonecolour and effect; the little song “Absence,” which calls for tone first, last and all the time; a lesser known thing, “Alleluia” (O’Connor Morris), which showed her voice well; and “Down in the Forest” (Landon Ronald). A second singer was the genial Mr Harison Cooke. He sang “I Am a Roamer” very dashingly;- and very convincingly showed just why it is that the old song remains in all collections of standard base ditties. In “When the Sergeant-Major’s On Parade” he was less good, but he did this very pleasantly, with much attention to diction. His .encores were “Good-night” and “Bonnie Dundee.” Miss Frarices Morrison revealed herself as a charming singer with excellent training. Her best number was “My Love Is a though she was also satisfactory in “The Enchantress” (Hatton), and “When the Swallows Homeward Fly,” and “No, John.” A fourth vocalist was Mr R. R. Orr, who used his somewhat sombre voice effectively in “Tally-Ho” (Leoni) . and “Duna.” The lighter side of things was in the hands of.two very capable individuals, Messrs Norman Aitken and Albert Bus-, soil. Mr Norman Aitken gave at length his reasons for not wishing his cigar to go out. Mr Albert Russell informed the audience that lie was one of the nuts front Barcelona, and also made mirth with a ditty about the need for a new hat. Another popular number was the “Three Blind Mice” Trio; written by Alfred Hill and sung by Messrs E. J. Hill, R. R. Orr, and Harison Cooke. Miss Nesta CafrwellCooke tripped lightly in a classic dance which was full of grace, and Mrs Innes-Murray gave the highly dramatic “Erl King” of Goethe as a recitation. A very attractive item was the singing of “Dainty Dorothea” (de Koven) by Mr E. J. Hill, while dancers tripped a gavotte, and Miss Loma Chapman posed very prettily as the Dorothea in question. It was a highly successful concert, and the audience left no doubt as to its appreciation. Mr Harold Whittle was the accompanist, and Mr'Barton Ginger the stage manager.