WATKIN MILLS' CONCERT.

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

WATKIN MILLS' CONCERT.

BOX PLAIC^THJS MORNING. According to a generally .expressed wish, Mr. Watkin Mills has decided to substitute the "Persian Garden" for "Flora's Holiday," at his farewell concert here on Monday net. This will, we are sure, be good news to a. number of people who were anxious to hear Liza Lehman's much discussed work. The Melbourne "Argus" thus referred to the composition:—"Th© feature of the evening was the delightful render-1 ing by the whole company of Liza Lehman's song cycle, "In a Persian Gar j den." Liza Lehman has set to most interesting music a selection fromthestJ poems, and this was magnificently and feelingly interpreted by Mr. Mills and his party. The opening quartea, 'Wake! for the Sun,' at once arresta attention by its swing and melody, and every succeeding number was heard with keen attention and interest, though the' serious tone of the work rather checked the applause, which could not be altogether restrained. Specially charming were the duet, 'A Book of Verses,' sung exquisitely by Miss Kirkwood and Mr. Wilde; Mr. Watkin Mil Is 7 s sympathetic rendering of 'Myself When Young,' and the pathetic solos for ..contralto and soprano which follows it. Miss Kirkwood fairly electrified the audience by her dramatic and. impassioned singing, 'I Sent My Soul.' The vigorous quartet, 'They Say the Lion,' went admirably, and produced a, profound, impression. Mr. Wilde was at his best in 'Ah, Moon of My Delight' ; and Mr. Mills rose to the height of inspiration in his final exhortation, 'As Then the Tulip.' The lasb movement, 'Alas! That Spring ' showed the perfect blending of the four voices^ and caused regret that more four-part songs had not been included in the programme." The box plan will be open this morning at H. I. Jones J.nd Son.. Limited.