LAST NIGHT'S CONCERT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 22 October 1880, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S CONCERT.

Mr. Lindsay, the headmaster of the Worth School, must certainly be congratulated upon the success of the annual concert, given last night in the Volunteer Hall, in aid of the gymnasium and library fund of the school. The hall was crowded, the entertainment provided was excellent, and the whole affair showed how much can he accomplished by the individual effort of an earnest and enthusiastic promoter. The restilt must have been as highly gratifying to Mr. Lindsay as it was pleasing to the audience. The programme was opened by the Rifles' Band, under the conductorship of Mr. Jones, with a selection from " Lucretia Borgia," which, owing to one of the cornets being o,ut of tune and an occasional want o| was scarcely so successful a3 the selections given at the concert last week. Some of the themes w§re A however, very pleasingly performed, espeoially the euphonium ;sqlos, while the pianos and fortes were well marked. The item was loudly applauded. The band appeared to greater advantage in a short fantasia from " II Trovatore," which opened the second part. The crescendo with which it commenced was worked up from pianissimo to fortissimo. and §.udec£ suddenly with a crash that GO.uld not fail to attract attention I from its effectiveness. The duet " Home to our mountains," for cornet and euphonium, was correctly played,, while good effect was given to the 41 Anvil Chorus," and the bass soio and presto movement with which the number concludes. response to the applause that followed, a short fantasia was given from Lecocq's La Petite Mademoiselle." Then followed a decided novelty—a ahorus, " The Swiss Toy Girl," —which was sung by 40 of the school children in a manner that displayed that considerable care has been bestowed upon their training by Mr. Lindsay, The pupils sang well together and in good but a little more training in expression and formation of the embouchure would give to their vocal efforts even still greater effect. These are, however, defects that may easily be overcome, and with care Mr. Lindsay may fairly look forward to the pleasure of« adding very materially to, the number of vocalists in Oaniaria. The item was loudly applauded!, and in response, the pupils gave w The Cricket" very pleasingly. Mr. B. Booth did not sing " The Mountebank" with that vewe which is usually characteristic of his performances. The duet "Excelsior" was in every respect correctly rendered by Mrs. Kinnear and Mr. E. Booth, but we scarcely like the music to which Blockley has set the words; it is heavy, and certainly- not as striking as that with, which Balfe has clothed the stirring subject. Miss Harper renewed he*, victory of last week by giving an animated reading of "Mary Queen of ' Scots, w Every line of the descriptive poem was given with full dramatic force, and with a dash of pathos which displayed the sympathy of the reader with the ill-fated Queen. The reading was one of which any amateur might feel proud, and in saying this we fully recognise the fact that Miss Harper requires those finishing touches tp. hey style which a great artist alone could impart. The defects in Miss Harper's elocutionary effortsaar t however, of such a nature an ordinary observer would fail to detect them. At the conclusion of her trying effort Miss Harper was compelled to Taow her acknowledgments. In the Second part the fair reader gave, with stirring effect, "The Bonfire of Craig Gowan," and a re-appearance was louldly demanded, while a number of bouquets were thrown upon the stage. The duet, " Friendship," was very enjoyably rendered - by Mrs, Williams and Miss Gifford, and the same remark will apply to "The moon is gently beaming," a auet by the Misses Hardy. Mrs. Eraser' gave in her usual careful and interesting manner, "All hail to beauteous spring."' Mr. W. Fraser was in excellent \soice, and obtained a • rkpturous encore for hia rendering of " Th§ wjyte squall," and re-

sponded with " The death of N«i. , which, as Mr. Lindsay explained ' highly appropriate, yesterday boini anniversary of the death of the 6 Trafalgar, Miss Gilford's silt? 0 ' ' Such is life" was sweet, and her L ciation clear and distinct. Jl r r Utu ■ wisely selected for his violin solo a md^ 1 that is known to all, "Ye banks y braes," with variations by The most attractive part of the maw 1 that in which the double-stopping J** 5 and m which two parts are played afc on 11 In response to au encore M r . j played a simple and popular 'meuS®' Scenes that are brightest" was giv« n • an artistic manner by Mrs. Kinnear "'5 was certainly one of the gems of the'e cert. An encore was loudly demand," and complied with. Mr. E. Booth „ Balfe's " Lridst thou but know" j best style, and we were glad to heat k once more sing a song that so emiiW* suits his voice and style. " Cherrv by Miss IST. Hardy/revived amcSL ffi audienoe memories of old association; and secured one of the most imperati/ re-demands of the evening. Miss Hm-d bowed to the inevitable; and repeated ft' ' last verse. Messrs, IX Booth and W Fraser gave a capital rendering 0 f ft' fine old duet 11 The larboard watoh " .The school children sang " Good night" in a very dreditable manner, and, afta. Lindsay had returned thanks, con eluded a most successful entertainment by singing the first verse of the Natiata* Anthem, Mr. Finch, Mrs. Kinnear, and Miss Hardy played the accompaniment* in a most satisfactory manner.