Concert in aid of the Catholic Boys' School.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3463, 30 January 1880, Page 2

Concert in aid of the Catholic Boys' School .

One of the most successful amateur concerts given on the Thames was held at the Academy of Music iust night. The attendance was fail'—not so good as the object and the capital programme provided deserved. The audience wera, however, most appreciative, and enthusiastically encored the principal songs. Mr McLiver commenced the programme with one of his amusing scenas, followed by Mrs Bruce, who rendered very sweetly, "Scenes that are brightest." This lady, in the second part, sang also " Too late," receiving an encore. Mr Airey, as usual, was well received, and his songs, " Stranger's yet," and " There is a flower that bloometh," were care* fully sung. Miss Thompson, a visitor from Auckland in a pleasing voice sang " Milly's Faith," and the familiar song, "I Cannot Sing the Old Songs." Miss Swaii and Miss Shanaghau were, however, the principal contributors to the success

of the concert, and on each occasion were encored most enthusiastically. A pretty duet " Why do you walch the lone, lone deep," showed their voices off to advantage, and was rendered correctly and with feeling. Throughout the programme, when these ladies appeared it was the signal for applause, in fact their good nature was rather imposed upon by the audience, who would not take refusals. Mr Catran was very successful in the "Flying Dutchman," one of Mr Gordon Gooch's songs, and was encored. The Irish air to which Moore wrote the words—

" She is far from the land Where her young hero sleeps," referring to the death of Robert Emmc'tt, one of the Young Ireland party, was sung with feeling and taste by Miss Shanaghan. Miss Swan in " I'll remember you, love, in my prayers" took the house by storm, and only the falling of the curtain on the first part saved the singer from an encore. The spcond part commenced with a pretty song by Mr Cornell, and Mr C. Brown, another favorite on the Thames, appeared to advantage, singing " The Irish Emigrant," which elicited an encore. One of the most pleasing, if not the best piece in the programme was the song composed by Mr Owen, and sung by Miss Shanaghan, entitled "We must be strangers now." The words are simple, the music sweet and admirably suited to them, while Miss Shanaghau's rendition left nothing to be desired. Mr Owen is to be congratulated and should feel gratified by the manner his music was sung by the young lady. " Killarney," by \ Miss Swan followed, and in response to an encore richly deserved, that young lady gave a semi-comic song, entitled " Ould Ireland you're my Darling," which elicited much applause by the sprightly and pleasing manner in which it was given. Mr Graham "In Happy Moments," was fairly successful, but the want of experience in public singing and training was apparent. Mr McLiver again gave one of his amusing medleys, after which " God Savex the Queen" was sung. Mr Ehrenfried called for a vote of thanks to the amateurs, which was given by acclamation.