CONCERT AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 296, 2 June 1898, Page 2

CONCERT AT CAMBRIDGE.

A concert in aid of the Cambridge Library was given in the Public Hall of that town on Tuesday evening, and as far as the performance was concerned it was a great success, but the attendance was far from satisfactory, tor the hall was not nearly filled. Owing to the indisposition of the Chairman of the Library Committee (Mr W. Rout), Archdeacon Willis kindly officiated as chairman and announced the various items. In a few introductory remarks he said how gorry he felt to see there was not a bumper house to increase the usefulness of such a worthy institution as their library, and he suggested that those who had absented themselves from the concert should be asked to contribute something to the funds of the institution. —We think the Archdeacon's suggestion a very good one, and believe that many would willingly make a donation to the library funds if asked to do so, but we fear the sparse attendance was clue in a measure to the fact that the concert had been got up rather hurriedly, and consequently many thought it would be a poor one, while it really turned out to be one of the most enjoyable that has been held in Cambridge for some time.

The following is a list of the performers and the songs they sang : —Mrs Cooke gave a very pleasing interpretation of " Dear Home Land," for which she was deservedly encored. She responded with the old favourite "Home Sweet Home." It is a considerable time since we heard Miss Garland to better advantage, and as she is a great favourite with Cambridge audiences, we need hardly say she was encored. She sang "The Flight of Ages," and had to repeat a portion of it before she was permitted to leave the stage. At a later period of the evening she pave Braga's " Serenata," in which Miss" Kingßford ably assisted with the obligato on the violin. It was greeted with vociferous applause, but Miss Garland contented herself with bowing. Miss Peterson's fine voice was heard to good effect in "Fiddle and I "—the obligato being played by Miss Kingsford —and "At the Ferry." This lady has certainly improved since we last heard her, and with practice should make an accomplished singer, for she has the voice to do so. Another Cambridge favourite was Miss Fisher, who gave a very pleasing interpretations of " We Watch and Wait" and " Where'er You Go," for which she was much applauded. This lady would be a much greater favourite than she even now is if she chose popular songs. She has a high clear soprano voice that is capable of doing much more thau the Cambridge people have yet heard it do. The lion of the evening was Mr Edgar Walton, the well-known bass, who kindly gave his services, which it goes without saying were much appreciated. His first s.ong was "My Bonny Barque," a grand new sailor ditty with a good swing to it. We need only say Mr Walton gave it in his best style, and of cour : e he was encored. He responded with an old favourite, viz., "Drinking," for which he was much applauded. His next effort was a new patriotic song, "Stand by the Union." It was just to the liking of those present both in tune and sentiment and at the conclusion of it Mr Walton received quite an ovation. He responded with " The Girl He Left Behind," for which he was again encored. We may say Mr Walton's visits to Cambridge are always looked forward to, and he is always ready to assist in a worthy cause. Messrs Perkins and Langmuir sing the duet " The Sailor Sighs," and the former also sang " The Tar's Farewell," for which he was applauded. Mr Hartly contributed an old English song named ''John Olden." Mr C. C Buckland gave several recitations in an excellent manner, indeed we never heard him to better advantage. His first was " The Amateur Rider,' and as an encore he gave " Flynn of Virginia." His second was " Wolf aud Hounds," for which he received a double encore, and contributed "The New Chum" and " Last Week," The Cambridge Orchestra rendered three pieces in a creditable manner uuder the able conductorship of Mr J. Edwards, namely, "Le Chevalier Breton," " Triumphale March," and "Le Couroune D'Or." We congratulate the society on the distinct advance it has made since the new conductor has taken it in hand; and trust it will continue to improve aud prosper. The usual votes of thanks terminated the proceedings.