Amateur Concert.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3742, 22 December 1880, Page 2

Amateur Concert.

A very successful concert was given at the Academy of Music last evening by the members of our local Opera Company. The proceeds go to ,the fund being raised for the widow and children of the late Mr McGregor. The Thames Scottish Band played a number of selections at the Pacific corner previous to the opening of the doors, and commenced the programme of the evening by playing a few choice pieces on the stage of the Academy. A chorus from the "Bohemian Girl" was given by the entire Company, when Mr Brown gave the well-known soug, the " Eoll Call." The duet from " Trovatore," by Mrs Kilgour and Mrs Hilton, was without exception the best-rendered piece on the programme, and elicited an encore. The voices of the singers blended well together, and the careful manner in which the music was given showed a just appreciation and a thorough knowledge of the composition. A quartette was well sung by Messrs Stewart, Weston, Brown, and Corry. Mr Airey was in capital voice, 'and sang the ballad " For Loee Alone" very pleasingly. Mr Batchelor's comic songs were well received. The first part was brought to a conclusion with a solo piece by Mrs Kilgour and the chorus by the company. In the second part the most notable rendition was the operatic scena from "Ernani" by Mrs Kilgour. The selection was a long one, but it served to show the careful attention given in its preparation, and the perfect control the fair singer, jiad over her voice. It was sung throughout from memory, and ■elicited applause from the audience. Mr Wiseman was more than successful, for he was called on twice, and the last time was compelled to give his song "The Petitioners," for the original song " Civil Service." A string band played with great taste the De Murska Yalse, Mr Stewart taking the violin, Hunter the bass, Mr Hunter, junr., the cornet, Mr Vivian the flute, Mr Batchelor the clarionet, while JUr Owen led on the piano. The glee "Dame Durden," by members of the company,-was well sung and very amusing; it had to be repeated. Mr Murray towards the conclusion of performance returned the thanks of the committee to the audience for their attendance, to the ladies and gentlemen of the company for their services, and especially mentioned that the success of the concert was in a great measure due to the exertions of the indefatigable secre-tary,-Mr D. Cloonah. A dance followed the performance. It is worthy of remark that the objectionable practice of smoking in the pit'was conspicuous by its absence, and we trust that the same undesirable feature will be gradually discontinued, as the smoke, however pleasing to the mental faculties of the smokers, is in no ways conducive to the extra comfort of the fair vocalists. ; v v