MRS. MEDLAND NEWSHAM'S CONCERT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 729, 10 August 1878, Page 2

MRS. MEDLAND NEWSHAM'S CONCERT.

.The farewell concert given to Mrs. Nuwshatn last evening by a few of lior musical friends was not so well attended ns it drservd to he. I Jut the audienc wa-; i- . l 'ct. and .seemed to thoroughly appreciate the somewhat classical programme which had been prepared for the occasion. The overture tp " was played $n a spirited manner, on the piano (as a duct 'by Mrs. iU'unton and Mrs. Booth). the harmonium (by Mrs. Medland Newsham), and t-ho violin (by Mr. G. Joni-ii). Tills was followed by !i The Chough and Crow," which was very fairly snug, ami " The \Volt," by Mr. -10.-eph Bo;th—a rare old favorite well performed. The next piece was 'M i s. "X.-wshain's pianoforte solo " Andante in F," by Beethoven ; and whilp ,>?, tlie subject l-'dy s porfoi'iuauye.s, we •e ■ - " av<! been

. .-. in thn Colony, al any amateur. Dilliculties are transformed into the reverse through her superior musical knowledge, and by her fatile manipulation. Tile well-known " Andante" was a great treat, al id so were the " Serenade" (Don PasijUale). the l; tjondn Briilir,nie,' : and the " Urattd Valse/' Littio 1.-o written in praise of the performances of Mrs. A'eivsham, and the same remark would apply to those of Mrs. Clowes. A highly finished vocalist, her singing and interpretation of the works of the great masters are exceedingly pure and correct. Jn "Ye Men of Gaza" she achieved her greatest success, although " A.h noli giunge" (Sunuambula) was scarcely less ably trgated- There iq no erqbelUskro;nt that lias to be passed over and replaced by something less effective and easier. The duet, " The Moon has raised her Lamp above," afforded Mr. Fraser an opportunity of exercising his beautiful tenor voice, and of proving that its cultivation has not by any means been neglected. In this Mr. Joseph Booth took the bass part, and we need not say that the performance of this 'qesyitiful duet ]iy Mr. Mr- Ifc>ofeh was a satisfactory one. The Andante and variations from the celebrated Kreutzer Sonata of Beethoven was the subject of Mr. Jones' violin piece. It can scarcely be called a solo, seeing that tlie pianoforte part is quite as important as that of the violin. The difficulties for both instruments are very great, and it was somewhat surprising that the playing of this piece was marked by so few in-. accuracies. It is very high anti was, we should think, placed upon the programme more as a novelty than to please a mixed audience. Mrs. Newsham's playing of the piano part in this sonata was exceedingly rare,

unci this greatly assisted the violinist in meeting the difficulties of his part. Mr. Corbett made his debut before an Oamaru audience in the song of " Eily Mavourneen," and displayed an uncommonly sweet, though somewhat weak, tenor voice, and considerable musical taste. The result of this performance was an'encore ; and here we would like'to remark 'upon the singular behaviour of a small section of the audience, who, we suppose. " just for fun," hissed whilst the'nmjority were applauding this and one (if two other performances throughout the evening. We think that, under the circumstances, they acted most inconsiderately and unkindly, as nobody but themselves saw any fun in such conduct. "II Bacio,". as sung by Mrs. Bruuton. was so good a performance that the audience demanded an encore, and were treated to another of Ardici's sparkling songs. The War March, from ".-Ythalio," was played twice during the eveningwhile the Volunteers, who had been invited by Mrs. Newsham to attend it; uniform. were marching into the Hall, and at tin- conclusion of the lirst part. In the second part, amongst the most noticeable items were li Blow gentle gales." '"'Come into tile garden, Maude, ' :.y Mr. Fraser, and the selection from the May Queen " by Miss Baltic Hardy, Mr. J. Booth, and Mr. Corbett. The last-mentioned item was, all things considered, one of happiest selections on ihe programme. Nothing could be more delightful than the trio, " The Hawthorn in the (Hade whilst the airs immediately preceding it.—" With the Carol in the Tree" (by Miss i-.allio Hardy), and " Tis .folly to Html'' (by Mr. .J. Booth), were sung in a characteristic manner. The duet " The Svren and the Friar," by Mrs. Brnnton and Mr. B>ot:i, was capitally sung. But the two last, items oil the programme —'* When shall we three meet again " (by Mrs. Clowes, Mrs. Newsham. and Mr. j. Booth), and Good night, Beloved," were, in a wide sense, the gems of the vocal concerted music. '1 lie performance, which was a. lengthy one. concluded with the National Anthem.