AMUSEMENTS.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2583, 18 April 1877, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

ACADEMY OF MUSIC

i- At this place of amusement last night was given a concert in aid of the Catholic Boys' School in Walter street, and to say that there was a good house is inadequate to convey an impression as to the success which attended the entertainment in point of numbers, for the theatre was filled in every part, such a house not having been seen since the last visit. of the Opera Company; The stalls hid been shifted back well into the centre of the hall, and yet every seat appeared to be filled, while the pit and gallery were also crowded. The object of the concert seemed to be fully appreciated, and the way in which the public responded to the call of the promoters must have been gratifying to the latter. The programme was divided into two parts —the first being sacred <music, principally selections from wellknown oratorios, with some other pieces of sacred music,. and the second part comprising songs, duets, &c, by members of the Catholic and S. George's. Church choirs, some visitors from Auckland and others, forming altogether a veiy enjoyable entertainment; and that it was enjoyable was evinced by the hearty applause with which the several items in the programme were received. At half-past seven the Hibernian Society's band played on the balcony of the Academy, and attracted a crowd of listeners. At this time, and for long after the public showed up, until there was scarcely a vacant seat when the curtain rose, the pretty little theatre being filled with a most respectable- audience. It would be invidious to attempt any special notice of the singing in a critical sense, but the hearty applause that greeted the efforts of Mesdames Bruce, Corrigan, Kilgour and Poutotara, and Misses Shanaghan and Hunter, was sufficient evidence that their vocalization was appreciated. The second part of the concert was better than, the first, the singers being more at home in the ballad music than '-n the compositions of Handel. Mr E. A. K. Owen presided at the harmonium* and pianoforte, and played the accompaniments in his usual finished manner.. "The Watch on the .Rhine" terminated the programme of a very enjoyable concert, and immediately thereafter the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up with spirit until two o'clock this morning. Two objects were undoubtedly attained by the; entertainment ;:., a good night's amusement for the public, and a considerable sum of mo"ney for the Catholic Boys' School fund.