CHURCH OF ENGLAND ENTERTAINMENT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 198, 22 August 1874, Page 2

CHURCH OF ENGLAND ENTERTAINMENT.

The successwhich rewarded theliasty endeavors to make Wednesday evening’s Concert an attractive one, is a practical proof of what can be achieved by hearty cooperation. A few ladies and gentlemen decided, about a fortnight since, to augment the Anglican Church building fund in this pleasant way, and at the same time to compliment Bishop Waiapu on the success of his mission to Poverty Bay in the interests of the Church. The Venerable Prelate took the chair at 8 o’clock punctually, and, in a few brief remarks said he could not but congratulate the community on the prosperous state of Church matters, and was glad to say that as a tender had been accepted, he had great hopes of the building being erected without having recourse to a loan, or by leaving it debt. The Bishop’s introduction having been warmly acknowledged, the well-selected programme was gone through with a taste and unflagging vigor such as we have seldom seen excelled. It is hardly necessary, considering the very limited practice afforded, to say anything which may appear to be hypercritical with respect to it. Some portions, however, are deserving of special eulogy. Amongst the soloists Mrs. Berry—the leading treble—sang sweetly that beautiful song “ The Blind Girl to her Harp.” The singer was quite at home in imparting that delicate tinge of joy and sorrow, which a clear, well-trained voice enabled her to do with ease. Mr. Graham’s song “ Ah I Never deem my Love can change ” was rendered with a pathetic feeling which expressed the poetry of the song in an-artistic way; also “ Come back to Erin, Mavourneen ” gave the singer ample scope to do justice to a sweet national melody. The Rev. Mr. Root sang “ The Minstrel Boy,” we believe, as well as it can be sung. We have often expressed our good opinion of the rev. gentleman’s musical powers, and the hearty applause which followed the song testified also that they were appreciated by the audience. The compliment was duly acknowledged by a repetition of the last verse. Miss Davis sang with her accustomed sweetness “ Put me in my little Bed ably assisted by a full chorus. This was the best harmonized piece of the evening, although it was given a shade too slow. The young lady was a little nervous, but that circumstance did not detract from an otherwise correct expression, a re-demand was responded to by singing the concluding verse. Here, perhaps, we may be excused if we come to the lady’s rescue. The fault of a little temporary nervousness was not tier’s, but was due to the management which prescribed that both performers and audience should sit for over three hours without an interval. The length of the programme, which consisted of twenty pieces, was sufficient to warrant its being divided into two parts, during which refreshments would have been acceptable to the singers particularly. We were agreeably surprised to see the courage of the ladies last so well as it did under the circumstances.

The Duetto parts were all pleasingly rendered, particularly “Home to the Mountains ” by Mr. and Mrs. Berry, which received a well-merited encore.

The four Glees, “ Hail to the Chief,” “ See our Oars,” Chough and Crow,” and “ Dear Old Church of England,” were all, more or less, correctly given. Mr. Dufaur’s splendid bass, and Mr. Root’s charming tenor aiding most effectively. Several Readings and Recitations were given, amongst which, the Rev. Mr. Root’s selection from Tennyson’s “ Enoch Arden ” is worthy of special mention. Mr. Root is a perfect reader, and, although somewhat lengthy, his reading was listened to with marked attention. Mr. Wilson’s “Bashful Man ” created much merriment from the humorous way in which it was read.

Mrs. Taylor presided at the piano, and played the instrumental selections with her usual taste and skill. A vote of thanks to the Bishop was carried by acclamation, who in reply expressed his great gratification with the evening’s entertainment. The National Anthem concluded the performance.