ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8985, 20 November 1907, Page 5

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The third concert of the Masterton Orchestral Society's fourth season, which took place in the Town Hall last evening, might well be classed as the most successful yet held by that body. The audience was large and most aj&freciative. Every item had liberarapplause bestowed on it, and in many instances encores were demanded. The orchestra is rapidly increasing in numbers, and every concert sees a marked improvement in its playing. Last night the audience were agreeably surprised in this respect, for it was generally agreed that the performance was the best yet given. The opening march "Bo:cacio," by Suppe, went with a fine swing, and the overture "Siege of Rochelle," by Balfe, demonstrated how capably the orchestra are able to handle operatic music. MrT. Rodgers' cornet solo "Alpine Echoes" was a splendid piece of instrumentation, and freely deserved tfie plaudits bestowed on it. "Tausandund ein Nacht," a pretty little waltz by Strauss, was admirably played. The selections from Sullivan's popular opera "Th« Mikado" were also splendidly given, and suited the popular taste. Moszkowski's "Serenata" was rendered by special request, and was vociferously encored. This work has a very pretty opening, and as it progresses the excellence of the first violins was specially noticeable. Mr J. Candy had a clarionet solo "Polacco," which he played admirably, and had to repeat it in response to a recall. The orchestra's concluding item was 'The Nigger's Birthday," a two-step played well in time, and with all the necessary precision. The performance on the whole reflected the greatest credit on the conductor, Mr S. Earee. The rrocalist of the evening was Mr HancflSpr-Wells, of Mr Wells possesses a fine baritone voice which he uses effectively. "She alone charmeth my sadness," one of Gounod's well-known works, was his opening item, and his success was quickly assured. In response to an encore "Three for Jack" was given. Mr Wells was nexc heard in "I rage, I melt. I.burn," and "0 ruddier than the cheery," by Haniel, and was doubly encored, when he gave "Rocked in the cradle of the deep," and "Skippers of St. Ives," in the last of which the fine powers of the vocalist's voice were fuly exemplified. The accompaniments were capably played by Miss W. Jones.