The Chautauqua.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 March 1919, Page 4

The Chautauqua.

ARRIVAL IN TAIHAPE The advance guard of the first Chautauqua organisation to visit the Southern Seas opened in Taihape on Saturday (afternoon, in .a huge tent, in the Recreation Grounds, before a largo audience. THE OFFICIAL 'WELCOME

The Mayor (Mr A. L. Arrowsmith) on behalf of the local honorary comcittee, welcomed the members of the Chautauqua to Taihape. In introducing the Superintendent, Miss Headman, His Worship told those present that she would be only too pleased to answer all inquiries made by the public. In the course of his remarks, the Mayor stated that if the same good fellowship existed between the other members of the pjarty they could be assured cf a hearty reception in Taihape. He had no doubt the policy outlined by the Chautauqua would be a distinct benefit to New Zealand, as it would serve to bretak down the barriers between America and Britain and her colonies; there should be the closest good feeling between the two branches of the Anglo-Saxon race. The Mayor concluded by extending a hearty welcome to the Chautauqua on behalf of the people of Taihape and district. He also apologised for the absence of the member for the district, Mr. R. W. Smith, who had been called away on business.

Miss Headman, on behalf of the members of the Chautauqua organisation, thanked the Mayor and people of Taihape for their cordial welcome, and stated the members who were coming to- entertain -them Consisted of the best talent procurable in America.

The members of the Apollo Concert Company then rendered a delightful programme of concert numbers, introducing to a Tlaihapo audience an instrumental combination new to them—the Apoilophone, upon which some very charming musical selections were rendered, including Sousa’s march, “The Stars and Stripes,” and “Buffalo News March,” These items received a splendid hearing, and were much appreciated. Miss Hopper ‘recited “Daddy” in a feeling manner, and had to respond. Mr Latimer rendered an item ;on the viola d'amour — an instrument very rarely hoard nowdays—entitled “My Song of Songs," an artistic manner. The next item introduced the Saxophone Quartette, consisting of Mrs Wells, and Messrs. Wells, Latimer, and Francis, of which so much has been heard, and their playing of a selection from “Faust” was a musical treat. A number of quite dissimilar nature was the “Moaning Siaxaphonc Rag, ’ ’ which was rendered with true ragtime spirit. Possessed of a clear and sweet contralto voice. Miss Hopper was hoard to adantage in “Love, Here is, my Heart,” and was thrice recalled. Mr Wells played a banjo solo, one of Sousa’s well-known marches, in a happy manner. As a musical monologuist Mrs Wells has few equals, and her interpretation of “‘Black-rand White" was a gem, and she had to reappear twice. The afterneon’s performance clearly proved, what a capable band of musical artists the Apollos ©re, and it was with a sense of regret that the audience came to the end of the programme.

IX THE EVENING The quality of the short concert given by the Apollos in the afternoon whetted the appetite of lovers of music and clean, wholesome fun, and the huge tent was crowded to its utmost capacity when the evening s programme was commenced. From the few introductory remarks by the lady organiser the right note was struck, which was maintained throughout the evening, and la. musical atmosphere

■coated that has never before been attained in Taihape. The Apollophone instrumentalists contributed a spirited march, “Chicago Tribune,” as an overture followed by Verdi’s “Anvil Chorus.” As encore numbers the popular Ameridan soldiers’ songs, “Over There” and “Sweet and Low” were given. "While all the items were splendid, the “Anvil Chorus” stood out supreme, for reasons that are musically obvious. As a humorous reciter Miss Hopper was delightfully quaint in “Contrary Mary,” -while in “Tour Flag laud Mine” she struck a deeper note. Mr Francis in his clariphone polios “AHr with, .Variations” and “How Came I to Leave Thee,” exhibited good tone and fine technique. The duet, “Eoses, Eoscs Everywhere” was the most delightful vocal gem of the evening, the voices of the vocalists Mrs Wells and Miss Hopper) blending beautifully. A viola d’amour solo, “Berceuse,” by Mr Latimer, was an acceptable unmber. Of course the piece de resistance of the evening was the Saxophone Quartette, the programme number being “Morning, Noon, and Night.” Both in .ensemble and tone this item was indeed |a pleasure to listen to. Bright and gay, the ragtime oddity “Chicken Walk, ” proved the versatility of the instrumentalists, while the Quartette from

'“Rigoletto,

exhibited the saxo-

phone’s tonal qualities in sostenuto passages. r -

At the interval, Mr Pagct, >v tho organiser, had a few words to say. After describing the mission of Chautauqua, ho said it was not a Ytankee money'making scheme. A statement of accounts, when the tour was finished would bo furnished to every committee in the Dominion, and any money made in Australasia, would remain there, and help form a Southern Chautauqua. Of course the artists had to make their bread and butter, and no one would begrudge them that. The American organisation had planned the Australasian tour and wore prepared to finance any loss which might be sustained. Mr-Paget, said the future of the world to a largo extent depended on the Anglo-Saxon race and it was the mission of Chautauqua to help in some measure to draw closer together the two great branches of the race. (Applause.)

The second part of the programme opened with an overture, “Raymond,” on the Apollophone, which was played in a masterly manner. In response to a recall the Apollos rendered “The Whistler and his Dog.” Still the audience insisted on another item, the company contributing the lovely Spanish serenade, “La Paloma,” which was most artistically rendered, the phrasing in the staccato passages being remarkably well executed. Mr Wells played “The Director” march as a banjo solo, “and further added to his popularity with the audience. As an encore number be gave an exhibition of trick playing, which delighted those present. A pianolog, “Sister’,, by Mrs Wells was very pleasingly rendered, and on being recalled she recited a quaintly humorous number about the objectiona little boy had to the recent arrival of a baby sister, and his naive request to take it back and change it for a baby brother.” The Saxophone Quartette played Sousa’s spirited march, “Stars and Stripes Forever!” - in a manner that set ones feet moving. . The playing of “God Save the. King’ brought one of the most enjoyable concerts held in Taihape to a cose. Encores wore the order of the evening, and the performers, who were out to please, goodnaturcdly conceded the somewhat exacting demands made by a delighted audience. If the remaining programmes reach the same high level as the initial one (and it is claimed they do) a delightful musical aud elocutionary treat is in store for the residents of this district.