CONCERT AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1330, 8 January 1881, Page 2

CONCERT AT HAM ILT ON.

A vocal ami instrumental concert in aid of >St Mary's Roman Catholic Church wag given at the Oddfellows' Hall oir Thursday evening. Shortly after the doors opened, the Hamilton Light Infantry Band took up a dtation outside atid played a few spirited selections, and by eight o'clock the Hall was fairly filled by a very orderly and most appreciative audience. Nearly all the best vocal and instrumental amateur talent had been secured for the occasion. Yet notwithstanding this we were agreeably surprised at the result ; and for this reason : the concert had been got up very hurriedly, and so far at any rate as the concerted pieces were concerned nothing approaching the necessary amount of rehearsing had been obtained. Mr Bell, the conductor, put forth his best efforts, and by dint of two practices, on the day preceding brought the performers up to a .state of efficiency, which certainly could not have been expected. In ono particular, nevertheless, the concert was weak — we mean as regaids the selections from "Pinafore." Nothing more stupid and dull can be conceived than the opera of "Pinafore" badly rendered. The bright, vivacious character of the masio requires corresponding vivacity on the part of the singers, who, above all, should be thoroughly acquainted with what is demanded of them. We do not mean by this r.o say that the selections given on Thursday night were total failures ; en the contrary, portions, the solos for instance, were very creditably i rendered; but looking at the fact that the time for prepnration had been short, we do think a mistake was committed in importing" Pinafore" into the programme at all. The other concerted pieces were effective, the voices being very evenly balanced. Of the rest of the programme much, very much, might be said, both in praise and in dispraise, but we think it wise to lefrain as much as possible from instituting comparisons which must, from their very native, be invidious, and consequently could produce no good results. Some of the songs and instrumental selections were of a very high order; indeed, in the case of the lady vocalists, we havehddom heard anything better fiom amateurs. The three or four pianoforte solos weie exceptionally good. For the rest, theio were just one or two vocal contributions which might have been safely dispensed with if only because the programme would thereby have been shortened. Indeed, its extreme length was the greatest drawback to the complete success of the concei fc ; for, whereas in the first part, the audience manifested the liveliest interest in the proceedings, many left the hall before the conclusion of the second part, which was not over till a quarter past eleven. We would just like to make one further remark before closing this brief notice, and it is this : that the performers should endeavour in the future to come a.-> near the footlights as possible. On an open stage, this is not a matter of much moment, but wheie there is scenery the wings and flies are liable to catch more music than the audience, should the singers neglect the precaution of coining well forward. The following is the full programme : — First p-irt : Overture, " Marsailleise Hymn," Band; chorus, "Away, the morning freshly breaking ;" song, "Wo may roam through the world," Mr McGarrigle (encored) ; song, " Apart," Miss K. Hunt (encored); solo and chorus (" Pinafore) Mr R. F. Sandes and Company; comic song, " Up a tree," Mr W. Tonks (eucorerl) ; pianoforte solo, " Auld Lang Syne" (arranged by M. Calon), M. Calon; song, "The Merry Zingari; 1 ' duet, '• Oh Albiou,' 1 Messrs H. and G. Edgecumbo; song, " One morning, ok ! so early," Mrs T. i». Sander ; quartette, "Banish, oh maiden," Mr« Mofflin, Messrs Laishley acd Ct. and J. Edgecumbe; song, "The Scout," Mr Moacham (encored) ; comic song, "The Unfortunate Man," Mr Browne; solo and chorus, "When I was a lad" ("Pinafore,") Colonel Lyon and Company. Second part : Chorus, " Friendship," Company; song. "KateO'Shane," Mrs Moiflin" (encored); pianoforte solo, Mons. Calon; song, " Robin's Return," Miss M. McPherson (encored) ; duet, " S.iinted Mother," Mesdames Dawson and Mofflin ; pianoforte solo, " Believe me if all those endearing young chaims," Miss L. Walnutt (encored) ; song, " Standard ol the free," MrH. Edgecumbe (encored) ; pianoforte solo (Beethoven), Dr Kdglow ; song, " Farewell but whenever," Mr M'jG-arrijrle; comic song, "Emancipation Day," Mr Johnson (encored) ; song (Fiench), Mr Gaudin : trio, solo, quartette, and chorus (" Pinafore") Company. The accompaniments were played by Misses Culpan and Walnutt, Mr T. A. Bell, and Mons. Calon, and in all cases were very efficiently rendered. Before the singing of "God Save the Queen," Lord Abbot Alcock addressed a few words of thanks to the performers for the very excellent entertainment which thej had afforded, and on behalf of the committee, thanked the audience for their attendance. The proceedings were then brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem, the solo being taken by Mrs Culpan.