SACRED CONCERT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8084, 14 April 1906, Page 2

SACRED CONCERT.

Tlio New Plymouth Thcatro Royal was well filled on Good Friday ovouiug, when the grand sacred concert, ■ in aid of the sports ground funds, was given. A very attractive programme was submitted and heartily enjoyed. The "star" performer, of course, was Mr Hamilton Hodges, who mot with an enthusiastic reception, and did full justieo, as he invariably does, to Ms contributions. On the platform that had been improvised for the occasion woro the chorus, numbering between 30 and 40 voices, under the baton of Mr G. Herbert "White. Their efforts were very successful, even though there were soveral absentees. They opened the proceedings with a rendition of the old Scotck air, "And the Glory." This was followed by the song, "The King of Love My Shepherd is," by Miss Eva Niion, whose rich, well trained voice was neyer heard to better advantage. Miss Clarico Buckmann followed with "La Serenata," after w'jieh the chorus rendered Mendelssohn's "Blessed are the Men." Then oaine Mr Hamilton Hodges, who ossayed "Why do the Nations," whioh he sang with markad ability; and which oaused considerable enthusiasm. He was recalled three times and repeated the last verse. Mr C. H. Lawn next contributed a cornet solo, "Calvary," which was liked so much that he had to respond to an encore, when he played the difficult piece, "Nara." Miss Amy Chong achieved a pronounced success in her song, "Man of Sorrows," and was vociferously and persistently encored, eventually treating her auditors to a repetition of the last Terse. "Ave Maria," the next item, was snug by Miss Nixon. It was a splendid effort. The piece gave her rare soprano voice plenty of scope, and she did full justice to it. It was one of the gems of the evening, and was e ithusiastically received. Mr Hodges' second appearance was the signal for great applause. This time he gave Handel's "Hallelujah." It is unnecessary to say that he scored heavily. As an encore he gave "Love's Awakening," a new song, and one which Mr Hodges sang for the first time in Wellington the night before. The concluding item was the selection, "Hallelujah," by the orchestra. Mr A. L. Cooke led the orchestra, whilst Mrs .1, S. Hempton presided nt the piano, and Mr H. Temple While at the organ. Mr G. Herbert White, the conductor, is to be congratulated upon the success of the choir, whose singing was one of the features of the evening.