MISS JESSIE MACLACHLAN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12632, 20 October 1905, Page 7

MISS JESSIE MACLACHLAN.

There was quite a gathering of the clana on the railway station at noon vfcsterday, when Miss Jessie Maclachlan, the famous Queen of Scottish Song, arrived from the north. Among those present were Mr. R. C. Bruce, Mr. R. K. Simpson, and other prom* inent members of the Wanganui Caledonian Society. Speeches of" welcome were made, and a basket of flowers presented by Master McNiven to ' Miss Madlachlan, who then drove to her In the evening Miss Maclachlan m.-ido her first appearance in Wangap.r.i, and despite the threatening Aveather, xhere was a very good house to greet the celebrated singer. At tho outset wo may say that the concert wa:J splendid, and that few more delighted audiences have left the Opera. House than that which regretfully dispersed last evening after vainly appealing foi just one more song. Naturally, tho programme was one which appealed specially to children of the heather, and those who, though they have never seen the land of brown heath and shaggy wood, have a warm corner in their hearts for the auld Scots sangs, But though this was so, the programme was such a,s could be enjoyed by all. In fact the Scotchwoman's rendition of the Irish songs, "Killarney"- and "Barney O'Hea," were two of the gems of the evening, while "Rule Britannia" was sufficient to arouse the patriotism of the most apathetic. Miss lVlaclaohlan, apart from her magnificent ■voice, has a magnetic personality, and .she holds her audience as under a spell. As a ballad singer she has few, if any, superiors. She feels her songs, anad, by her singing of them, communicate;! her feeling to her hearers in no small degree. No greater feast of Scottish music has been provided in Wanganui for niaiiva long day, and it was not to be wondered at that Highlanders, and indeed everybody, should vociferously demand encores. Miss Maclachlan's choice of songs gave her every oppcrtuntiy to demonstrate her versatility as they ranged from the beautiful lullaby "Cronan': to the stirring border song, "Blue Bonnets over the Border." The latter song was magni(icently sung and electrified the audience. The Gaelic song, "Fal-al-al-o aroused the enthusiasm of the Highland element, who would nob cry content till tho singer responded with one of the prettiest items of the evening— "Ho ro'mbnigiieaii doilfl BhoidheacJi.'; Tho encore -numbers were "Uoim4^~ Thi-j' the Rye. " "The Rowun Treo," and "Barney O'Hea" The Opera He-use rang with applause at 'the conclusion of each item, and Miss Maclachlan, even after singing a second time, was compelled to again and again bow her acknowledgements. At the conclusion of the Gaelic song Miss Maclachlan was presented by a little kilted lad with a basket of flowers, arid for this he was effusively kissed and hugged. Not the least enjoyable items on the programme were the 'cello solos of Mr. John McLinden, who proved himself to be an artist of a very "high standard. His technique is excellent, •arid he plays with soulf ulness. His con^ tributions were "Csvatina", (encore, "Auld Robin Gray"), ' 'Noctrfrne in B Flat," "Gavotte Humouresque," "Cantilena," "Wiegeniied," "Tarantelle" "Highland MenioiSss" ' (encore, !iOon the Batiks-of Allan Water"). Mr. Robert Buchanan played two overtures and acted as accompanist during tho evening. From beginning to end the concert was", a complete success, and as wo stated*above, the audience was extremely sorry when the final song was *snng. , • *