MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3797, 29 April 1891, Page 2

MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

The Maateitoa Drill Hall was filled with a most appreciative audience last night to hear the first of the much talked of Festival, A rfoU musical treat vi as provided, the per* forraanco being updep the direction of Hcri' von Keisenberg, assisted by a powerful and highly trained orchestra* The programme, which bad been carefully arranged to suit all tastes, was gone through without any trouble whatever, only one of those whoße names wcro ad vortised failing to appear The concert opened with the grand overture "La Dame Blanche" by the orchestra, all the accompaniments to the choruses and a second grand overture also being contributed. Mr R* Qant gave'a rafined interpretation of Gounod'a. "Nassareth," Mr Black (of

GreytowH) contributed the well-known "Tempest King," his singing as usual being of that high order of art which riEes abore mere commonplace clap, trap. In response to a vociferous encore he further delighted his listeners with the quaint "St Anthony and the Fishes." Mr Flax (also a visitor) was admirably suited with " Four Jolly Jolly Smiths," rendered in such a manner that the audience would hardly be satisfied without a double encore. Mr T. Bowse also came in for a large shat of applause, his son?, " Queen of tl Earth" being artistic to a degree, at by the way it was received proved hi a fast favorite with the audience. T great choruses wen? ea;h well reeeivf " Moonlight and Music" and "Parti and Meeting" seeming to attract t most popular favor. The seco part of the programme coi prised • Van Bree's brillia cantata '• St Cecilia's Day." was admirably rendeerd and at t couclnsion the large audience w loth to go, antil the orchest commenced playing the nation antbenrhardly anybody seeming realizgtfliat the concert was ov< part given by Miss Wbi now to pleasure" was t especial feature of the cantata, beii the only solo given, Mrs Mnell failing to appear. A word of prai is doe to the management for t manner in which the seating accommodation was arranged and the other details ef decoration, etc., carried oat. JMo doubt to-night a even larger audience will be present thnn last night, when an entire change of programme will be submitted. Amongst the contributors to-night will be Mrs Parsons arid .Mr E. J. Hill, of Wellington.