Amusements.
ORCHESTRAL CONCERT. The Invercargill Orchestral Union has every reason to be pleased with the liberal patronage accorded them in the Theatre Royal last Tuesday evening, the occasion being the presentation of the Society’s second concert of the fourth series. To find almost every seat in the Theatre occupied was a sight, sufficient to make each and every performer feel it his duty to exert himself to the utmost in an endeavour to satisfy so large and critical an audience. That the Society succeeded in this was evidenced by the hearty approbation evinced by the audience at the conclusion of almost every number. The programme opened with Prout’s masterly “ Triumphal March ” (from Alfred), which was played in a bright and happy manner by the orchestra. Their next number, the overture “ La Gazza Ladra ” (Rossini), was undoubtedly, from an artistic point of view, the gem of the evening, the only serious defect in its performance being the fact of the horn repeatedly missing the top note in the imitation
of the violin motive (first movement). Mr E. Price, who, as an old favourite, was well received on appearing, “My Queen ” with good effect. His second song, “ was not such a happy choice, the range and the music of the composition being rather too much for hi» voice. The intermezzo from “ Cavalleria Rusticana,” by Mascagni—the composer who is creating such a favourable impression now -a - days with the originality of his compositions was very nicely played indeed, the interpretation being veryeffective. A vocal duet, “ Life’s Dream is o’er, Farewell,” by the Misses Grigor, was marred somewhat by the very evident nervousness of the soprano, nevertheless it was rendered in a pleasing manner. The fantasia for full orchestra,“H Trovatore,” although spiritedly *played, suffered through a lack of knowledge of the traditional rendering of Italian opera, almost every movement (especially solos) being played too fast. Miss Morrison contributed Gounod’s “ Serenade,” with obligato (violin). Mr Blue is to be congratulated on his sympathetic performance of the obligato. Miss Morrison narrowly escaped an encore for her rendering of this beautiful serenade. An intermezzo pizzicato, “La Secret,” was a very pleasing item and was very well executed. The overture, “ Die Frau Meisterm ” (Suppe), was spiritedly attacked by the orchestra, and made an effective opening of the second part of the programme. Two vocal duets by the Misses Grigor,“Wanderer’s Evening Song ” and “ Out in the Sunshine,” were a distinct advance on the first item by these young ladies. Mr J, Walls in “ Remember Mo No More ” was evidently not at his best. Mr Walls has a very good tenoi voice, but he rather overworks it. . The effect would have been much better had he not introduced an innovation in the second verse by singing certain notes an octave lower, and had he not sung so very flat in the last verse. Handel’s “ Largo ” was a revelation —showing the orchestra could be quite as successful in this class of music as in the lighter music. Miss Morrison’s singing of “ The Holy City ” was not such a good performance as her first number. The phrasing w T as defective before the word “ hill ” and in the word “ Hosanna.”' A delightfully bright fantasia,characteristic of gipsy life, was rendered by the orchestra in a very happy manner. One could almost see the Bohemians, in their bright costumes, dancing ’nerth the spreading trees, and hear the birds trilling-their sw.eet song in the branches above, so well was the composition interpreted. The concluding item, the well-known “ Coronation March,” from “ Le Prophete,” was brilliantly and spiritedly performed by the orchestra, bringing to a close one of the most enjoyable and successful concerts ever given in Invercargill. That it was the best performance ever given by the Orchestral Union must be admitted by everybody,and unless one were hypercritically inclined he could not help being gratified at the treat provided, and could not help being struck with, the advance made by the Union under the able baton of Mr Chas. Gray.
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Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 9, 2 June 1894, Page 9
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664Amusements. Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 9, 2 June 1894, Page 9
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