CHAUTAUQUA.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3355, 6 December 1919, Page 5

CHAUTAUQUA.

was a good attendance at the j Chautauqua session last night, but not nearly so large as the outstanding merit of the performance deserved. The Zedeler Quintette further proved their musicianly skill and interpretive j ability, the opening number being "The Festival March/' from Wagner's ' celebrated "Tannhauser." The performance was a revelation to all present, and a delight and a joy to all music-lovers. This item alone was worth coming a long way to hear, and was a perfect example of ensemWe playing, remarkable for its beautiful tone, colour and brilliant technique. The quintette wa s vociferously encored, and responded with two move- ' ments from Rossini.?* opera "William Tell." The first movement was an andante sostenuto, the violincello taking the obligato. Mr Zedeler bringing out all the beauties of his instrument in his depiction of the sylvan scene. Then followed the call to arms to repel the German invader, in which could be heard the tramp of armed men, the hurrying of people to fight lor the Fatherland interwoven in the beautiful melody for which Rossini is famous. The performance of the orchestra left a warm glow of complete

satisfaction and delight. Miss Helen

Fortune's beautiful soprano voice was heard to great advantage in the "Chanson Provencalc." rendering this delightful number with all the warmth and colour of the South of France. An imperative encore was demanded, Miss Fortune rendering "The Rose of Picardy" with charming simplicity and expression, for which she was vociferously applauded.

Mr M. C. Reed, of Washington, delivered an intensely interesting lecture on "The Value of a Vision." The three main divisions were "Appreciation,;" "The Gospel of Work," and "Love," and his presentment of these essentials in life was full of sound practical philisophy, and was indeed an inspiration to all who had the privilege of hearing it. He pointed out graphically the essentiality of vision or prevision in the affairs of life, -whether in the humble domestic sphere or in the larger one of statecraft and humanity. No man, he stated could do anything really worth while who had not a-vision of the future. He pleaded for a proper sense of appreciation of the efforts of others. Let our appreciation be given to "the living; let u s not wait to put our appreciation in the form of an epitaph on the tombstone of a man who is doing his best for the community or for humanity. Hi s message on "The Gospel of Work,"* was perhaps the most striking of the evening, and was singularly'' apropos in the present condition civilisation and humanity have been forced through the recent great upheaval. Nothing was ever accomplished without strenuous and continuous hard work. Unfortunately, at the present time a section of the community imagined that progress towards the millenium was to he achieved with the worker "doing nothing. Mr Reid combatted this view in impassioned language, every word carrying conviction. He showed from the live s of great men,' no matter how gifted and endowed by nature they might have been, it was only by hard and consistent work that they mounted the ladder of fame. Never in the history of this world had the' need for work been more insistent and clamant than, in the crisis we are at present going through. He carried a message to New Zealand workers, which he esteemed a privilege. He was a worker himself. By the work of his own hands he had reached his present position, and he was carrying tho "Gospel of Work" as» a worker to workers. The old orders were changing, and there wa s a need for work, work, and still work—the right kind of work at the right time. He cast a comprehensive glance round the world, and asked, "Where are the Masters?" who would lead the people aright, and he was sorry"' to say they were not yt present in sight. Mr Reed dealt with the aspect of ""Love* in our dealings with one another, and the value of love to the community. He concluded his speech with an eloquent appeal, marked with the greatest earnestness and sincerity, which created a great impression on his auditors, and he received an ovation when he concluded. Mr Reid' s address was full of homely anecdotes and illustrations, giving emphasis to the points he wished to make.

to-night. To-night 'at the big brown tent there will be a complete change of programme. The Fenwick Newell Concert Party will be introduced to a Taihape audience, and will render some delightful musical gems—both concerted and solo. Mr Newell possesses a rich, flexible tenor voice of wonderful sweetness, and has been by competent critics compared to John McCormick, the famous Scotch tenor. In ensemble ainging the Concert Party will fill chorally the position which th 0 Zcdeler Quintette did orchestrally, and nothing more need be said. Dr, Gicsel,

a lady medico famous in her own country, will have a heart to heart talk with her audience, and open their eyes to truths concerning the health, and physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing of th e community. We hope to see the tent crowded to-night, the sterling merit of the programme certainly deserves it.