PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 281, 27 November 1901, Page 2

PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Cohsidering the excellent programme for the fifth concert given by the New I Plymouth Philharmonic Society at the 1 Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening,, it 1 was surprising to find such a very j suMI attendance. That such a popular senos of item" «hould have failed to I | attract th« public, especially as the sola's wprfi <f more than average, amiteu - merit, is inexplicable, and | .-hows a gieat lack of appreciation ofj the g'od work the society is doing.' Thos« present ceitiinly imde up in enthusiasm what was lacking in nunrriral strength, and loud applause •ogoihfr with demands for encores waited most of the items. The selections rendered by the society consisted of L r rd Ullin's Daughter, Sweet and Low, Huntiug Chorus, The Old Brijade, and The Bridal Chorus from Cowen's Rose Maiden. These were all very creditably given and gave evidence of much care and attention both by the chorus and the indefatigable conductor, Mr Fletcher. Miss Holdsworth was very successful in the duet with Mr Trebilao, " When the wind blowtth in from the sea," the voices of both fingei s b'endiug excel'ently and being pirticuUrly well balanced as to volume. In response to a well deserved encore th'i 1 >st verse was repeated. In Mattei's ' L ave me not," Miss Holdsworth's bright, fresh, and clear voice was heard to grtati advantage, and fur encore shu gave the quaint but pretty dorg " Sally Horner." Miss Murphy's rendering of " The beating of my own heart," was quite an operatic performsnc •, her clear enunciation and ornate embellishments giving a striking effect to * his old favourite song. In response to a loud le-call, she sang with much taste " Sews that are b ightest." Mr j Eiolayson is a decided acquisition to the local musical talent,, his pleasing though subdued bass voice being very tuneful and exactly suiting " Deirer than life," which he guve in such a finished style as to e trn a well deserved re-caM, to which he responded. To lovors of inst''umeutil music, th 9 treat of the s-vei ing was Mr Cooke's violin solo. It fairly took the house by storm, and was all the more appreciated by reason of the perfect way in which it was accompanied on the piano by Mrs Cooke. As an encore, he played 1 " Alice, where art thou!" and if some of the v icalists present had closely fol- , lowed the expressive rendering of this beautiful melody, it should have been 1 an object lesson to them. There was ' also an instrumental trio—piano, violin 'c 'llo—by Mr and Mrs Coofee and Mr | F. W. Richmond, which was very creditably performed, though much of the effect of the finest parts was spoiled by the hum of conversation, which at times overpowered the musical sounds.

After the concert the members adjourned to the Coffee Palace for a light suppnr, which Mr .Arrowsmith served in his usual thorough manner. Before separating Mr F. W. Webster, president of the society, congratulated the members on the excellent concert giveo, although he regretted that the attendance was so small. Alluding to the good work (hi society was doing, he expre sed a hope that the public would encourage the members by attending the concerts, and would assist the society by becoming honorary members.