MR FORREST’S CONCERTS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 965, 29 November 1882, Page 2

MR FORREST’S CONCERTS .

The concerts given by Mr Angelo Forrest in the Harmonic Hall on Monday and Tuesday, may be regarded as successful from a musical point of view. Financially, we are afraid, they must have proved failures. The attendance on the first night was by no means so large as .we expected to see, and it was still smaller on Tuesday. No doubt Mr Forrest is, to some extent, responsible for this himself, as the few remarks he addressed to the audience on Monday were not calculated to induce them to pay a second visit. We acquit him of any intention of insulting those present, but, to say the least, it was unfortunate that he should have spoken as he did The audience were visibly depressed thereby, and not a little annoyed. Of Mr Forrest’s abilities as a pianist there can be but one opinion. He exercises perfect command over the instrument, plays with ease and precision, and, above all, with suitable expression. He had the assistance of music, but, we understand, that, owing to the delicate state of his health he has been forbidden to tax his brain in playing long pieces from memory. Mr Forrest, therefore,. is entitled to some sympathy, and ive can only express the hope, shared wo are sure, by all who had the pleasure of hearing him, that he will soon be restored to his wonted vigour. His selections on the first evening comprised nine numbers from Classical and Modern Masters, each of which was treated as one would expect from a musician of Mr Forrest’s reputation. It is unnecessary and useless to attempt a detailed criticism. Each piece was played in faultless style, and thoroughly enjoyed by those present. The second concert was, we think, even more enjoyable than the first. The selections were of a brilliant and “taking” character, and Mr Forrest seemed to throw his whole soul into his work in his endeavour to please. That he Avns thoroughly successful the loud applause which greeted him at the conclusion of each number amply demonstrated ; and if his audience was small, he will at least carry away the impression that it was appreciative. On both evenings a number of ladies and gentlemen assisted with songs, none of which were badly sung, and some very creditably. In one or two cases nervousness detracted somewhat from the effect of the Indies’ singing, but that did not prevent the audience from detecting the sweetness of the voice, and they were liberal in both applause and bouquets. The gentlemen comprised some of our well-known amateurs, and they acquitted themselves admirably. As an accompanyist, Mr Forrest must rank amongst the best we have heard. He assisted the soloists just at the" right moment, and displayed excellent taste in adapting himself to the requirements of the voice. We hope that on some future day Mr Forrest will pay Patoa another visit, and that he will be greeted with those well-filled houses which his ability entitles him to expect. We notice that he will perform at Wanganui this and to-morrow evenings, and on Friday the people at Waverley will have the pleasure of hearing him at the Town Hall.