IRENE AINSLEY CONCERT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3017, 13 October 1908, Page 5

IRENE AINSLEY CONCERT.

There was a large attendance at the Town Hall last evening, when Miss' Irene Ainsley and her concert party gave a concert. An excellent programme ' was submitted, and the audience were warm in their applause, practically every item being encored. Mr 3E. H. Queree opened the programme with a piano solo, which was played in capital style. Mrs Queree is an accomplished player, with a very light touch. Miss Irene Ainsley, whose appearance was the signal for rounds of applause, gave as her first item "Mon coeur S'ouvre ata voix>" which was sung in French. Miss Ainsley has a 1 mellow contraltu voice, which she uses to the best advantage. The audience were carried away by her beautiful voice, and she was vociferously encored. In response, she sang "Out on the' Rocks," and this song too met with warm applause. Mr Hamilton Hodges, the well-known New Zealand baritone, next appeared, and rendered "Toreador." Mr Hodges sang with fine effect,: having a powerful voice of wide range. As an encore Mr Hodges sang "Beloved it is Morn," which was rendered in capital style. This was perhaps the best of Mr Hodge's sonks. Miss Ainsley was then heard to advantage i t , "The Night has a Thousand Eyes," " Absent," and "Invitation," which were all rendered with beautiful effect, and were encored. And as an encore Miss Ainsley sang "Annie Laurie." "Thy Foe," by Mr Hamilton Hodges, was the *fir.st item in the second part of the programme. In response to an encore, he sang "Four by the, Clock." A skilfully played piano solo "Gavotte de Concert," by Mrs Ernest H. Queree, follow 2d, and then Miss Irene Ainsley was heard again in "Take your Lute and Sing," which she sang sweetly. As an encore she gave "Loch Lomond." Mr Hamilton Hodges then pleased the audience with "Heatherbred," "Ever so Far Away," and "My Song is of the Sturdy North," and as an encore Mr Hodges sang "Up in ,the Saddle." The programme was brought to a close by Miss Ainsley, who sang "The Lost Chord" in a capable manner, and as an encore "Happy Song." Mrs Queree played the accompaniments in a finished manner. The concert was one of the most enjoyable ever held in, Masterton.