BENEFIT CONCERT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10195, 23 March 1911, Page 5

BENEFIT CONCERT.

xO MISS THELMA PETERSEN

The Masterton Town Hall r as well filled! with an enthusiastic audience last evening, the occasion being a benefit concert for the purpose of raising funds to assist Miss Thelma Petersen to prosecute her musical studies abroad. Several leading ladies and gentlemen, acknowledging the promising nature of Miss Petersen's voice, took it upon them selves to in "some way assist that yoiing lady to develop tlie gift which, by Nature, she has been liberally endowed. The efforts of the promoters were well rewarded by lac success of last night's function. The programme was one of the most attractive that has been presented in Masterton for some time past. Each performer was enthusiastically ; received, and many had to respond to imperative encores.

The opening item on the well-ar-ranged programme) was tne march "Cornelius" (Mendelssohn), by the Masterton Orchestral, Society, under the baton of Mr J. Candy. The membero entered into thy spirit of the march, and the item went with a fine swing from the commencement. Mr G. C. Branson followed with "The Bo'sun, the Gunner, an' Me" (Thotere), in which Mr, Branson's fine baritone voice was heard, to distinct advantage. In response to the vigorous applause of the audience,, Mr Bransou sang "Marjo. ■ ie" (Hill), which was also well received. The next item was a violin solo by Herr Heinrich Kahn (Leipzic Conservatorium). Herr Kahn chose as- his initial item": the grand "Andante" movement from E Min- | or "Concerto (Mendelssohn). Good I violinists have been heard' in Masterton, but Herr Kahn's brilliant J performance stands out on its own, j the audience thoroughly enjoying ' every minute of his playing. Herr Kahn had to respond to a rapturous encore, and his. second item was equally well appreciated. The recitation "Nothing to Wear" was given in a masterly manner by Mr G. R. Sykes. Mr J. Walls sang "O' Maris Stella" (M. Piccolimirii) with violia obbligato bv - Miss Phyllis Cameron. The item so pleased the audience that he also had to appear a second time, when he sang 1 'Bonnie Mary of Argyle." Miss Thelma r Petersen followed, and sang "Abide With Me" (Liddle), with organ ob- . ligato by Mr A. B. Wallace. This song . gave Miss . Petersen ample scope to demonstrate the fine quality of her contralto voice. An encore was demanded, and she responded with, "Violets" with equal •'success. numberof.. the. first portion "?6f »the programme was a humorous song, C;" Selected," by the evergreen Mr Harrv Hall, and it goes without" 1 paying that an en-; core followed. The second portion of the programme opened with . Kustner's dainty "Mtoon Moths ; " rendered by the Masterton Orchestral Society, the item being thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed. The next item was a pianoforte solo by Miss Motla Moore, L.A.8.;A.T.C.L., pupil of Mr A. B. Wallace. Miss Moore made her first public- appearance, arid too much .praise 'cannot be accorded her for- her playing of the "Hungarian Rhapsodie No. 2". (Lifisit), and her' encore number, , Raffs polka, "De Locaine." Miss Moore showed. by her playing that she is wonderfully gifted, and it is to be' hoped that before long the public will again have an opportunity of hearing her. She was presented with several floral tributes from the audience. Mr E. R. Wilson then 'recited "Lasca," in such fine style that he had to respond to an imperious "encore. The audience were a-gain delighted "with a violin solo, "Zigeunerweisen," (Sarasate),' by Herr Heinrich Kahn. Herr Kahn again proved himself to be a thorough master of the violin. As an encore Herr Kahn played Pierne's dainty "Serenade." . Miss Petersen was greeted with prolonged applause on making her second appearance. She sang "Kathleen Mavourneen." This charming old song, for which she received a recall, suited her voice admirably. After re- j sponding to the encore and twice j bowing her acknowledgments, she j was compelled' to sing a third number, after which she also " received a number of bouquets, from the delighted audience: The splendid programme was brought to a dose by

three humorous songs given by Mr Harry Hall, who thoroughly ■ deserved the applause with which, he was greeted. ■ The accompaniments were nicely played by J'iss Meore and Mr C. L. N. Petersen.