N.S.W. ORCHESTRA.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1920, Page 8

N.S.W. ORCHESTRA.

"THE MESSIAH" AT AUCKLAND, (Special to News.) Auckland, Last Night. A grand performance of the ■'Messiah" was given to-night in conjunction with the Choral Society and the Royal Auckland Choir, a total of three hundred voices, conducted by Verbrugghen, and accompanied by the orchestra, and Mr. Maughen Barnett on the grand organ. At 4 o'clock this afternoon crowds assembled waiting for admittance, and p.t seven o'clock all scai.i not booked were sold oi:T, with the result, it is estimated, two thousand people were turned away. Over three thousand people crammed into the Town Hall, where a memorable performance was given.

Auckland has risen like one man during the last few days, and the orchestra has been deluged with requests to fltay longer. The takings to-night constitute a record for Australasia for the State Orchestra's tours of the Commonwealth. The orchestra leaves for New Plymouth to-morrow.

"SOMETHING MAGNIFICENT." In a letter to a member of the New Plymouth committee, Mr. F. W. G. McLeod, who heard, the above orchestra play at Hamilton, says: "We have seen, heard, and been conquered by the State orchestra. It was absolutely fine. Their playing of the National Anthem presaged great things. The playing of the orchestra is reminiscent of the Queen's Hull Orchestra, Ix>n<lon, and similar organisations, and was supreme. The soprano soloist (Madam Goossens) was also fine. She sang with the full* orchestra as an accompaniment. New Plymouth can expect something magnificent in musical effects." Mr. McLeod also says: "I would like to learn that every member of my band was present for educational purposes." LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS. The local committee desire to direct the attention of the public to the following arrangements in connection with the visit here. Those who are taking members of ibc orchestra into their homes should, if possible, make arrangements for someone to be at the railway station on Thursday morning at 0.45 in order to pilot the visitors to their destinations. The members of the orchestra will be free during the morning. A motor outing has been arranged for them in the afternoon. The ears will leave the Tost Oftice at '2 o'clock, and it. is expected they will return to town at five o'clock or shortly after. The orchestra is to leave New Plymouth by the 7.43 a.m. train on Friday for Hawora,

at the hall, In order to provide against undue crowding, the committee intends opening the building at 7 o'clock. As many doors as possible will be used for giving admission. Reserved seat ticket, holders and those having fis tickets will enter through the (iill Street door of the first annexe to the hall. The fin ticket holders and reserved ticket holders will enter the main hall by the two inside doors Three shilling ticket holders will enter by the main door of the building on Giil Street, and also by a door at the op. posite end of the building, entrance to which is from Eliot Street, Patrons are urged to be in their seats punctually. No one will be allowed to enter the building during the performance of any item, and those who may have to leave before the conclusion of the concert nre particularly urged to do so between items.

Special trams will leave Eliot Street at the conclusion of the concert for Fitzror and the Breakwater.

Six shilling tickets Are on sale at Collier's. Three shilling tickets will be on sale at the hall on the niglvt of the concert.