PATEA HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1064, 25 July 1883, Page 2

PATEA HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The concert was given last evening at the Harmonic Hall to a very small audience, only about 50 persons being present. The concert was, perhaps, not so successful as previous efforts ot the Society have been,, but doubtless the small attendance had a dispiriting effect upon the performers. The overture, “ When the swallows homeward fly,” was well played, and the choruses were all given in good time and well sung. The audience did not seem to appreciate them so much as perhaps their merit demanded, with the exception of the concluding one of the first part, “ In the lonely vale of streams. The song, “In Paradise” was excellently rendered, and was loudly applauded. A cornet solo received its meed of praise, as did also the trio “ How merrily we live.” The song “ The queen of the May” was given with much expression, and the lady performer narrowly escaped an encore. The songs “As I view these scenes so charming,” and “ Ehron on the Rhine ” were well sung, particularly the latter which was vociferously applauded, and an encore, which was acceeded to, demanded. A trio, “ The red cross knight” was also well given. The second part of . the entertainment consisted of selections from “ The Lady of the Lake,” a cantata composed by G. A. Macfarren at the request of the Glasgow Musical Society, but with the exception of the hymn Ave Maria and the lay of the imprisoned huntsman, the audience did not seem to relish this greatly. Had the Society an orchestra no donbt last evening’s entertainment would have been a much greater success ; but, as the secretary is ready to enter into negotiations with any instrumentalists who may be willing to give their services, we hope to see this ivant soon supplied. The need of an orchestra was made sufficiently apparent last night in those pieces requiring power to convince anyone that a few instruments would not be out of pjace at any future concert of the Society. We would like to see the Society more liberally supported than they are by the public. The work they are doing in endeavouring to establish a love for music in the community cannot be too much encouraged, and we should certainly like to see in future better audiences than that which assembled last evening.