CONCERT AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2629, 18 May 1889, Page 2

CONCERT AT CAMBRIDGE.

A CON'CI'.UT was held m the Public Mall, Cambridge, on Wednesday evening, in aid of the, Presbyterian Church funds. Although tho evening was anything but a pleasant one, as it was cold, and intermittent showers of rain fell, the hall was well Idled, and the financial results would therefore, we presume, bo satisfactory. This was undoubtedly, in a great measure, due to tho advent of a vocal star in tho person of Mrs Kilgour, of the Thames, whose fame as a cantatrice had gone before her. We must confess that we felt anxious to hear this lady about whom we had heard so much, and when we wen: informed that she had sung at the Melbourne Exhibition our anxiety was somewhat intensified, as wo knew she must be, a vocalist of no nuan order to perform in company such as would bo at Melbourne. Although our expectations wore great, wo must admit, that Mrs Kilprour more than fulfilled them, for she not only possesses a magnificent soprano voice, but also knows how to use, it, an accomplishment that is very rare in the Waikat >. iler intonation was perfect, especially upon the high notes, and the manner in which she modulates her voice stamps her as an artist, who has undergone a thorough musical training, combined with a natural plea>iug method of phrasing. She exhibits none of that vile habit—into which nwst of our colonial singers have fallen —of slurring, except in a very few instances where it is inserted by the composer for effect. Many of our singers seem to imagine that because, slurs are inserted here and there in a song, riiat they are always to be used ; and the result is somewhat similar to a beginner upon the violin, who feels up and down the strings, until ho reaches the required note. Even some of our best local singers display this bad habit, and we trust tliey will copy the example set them by Mrs Kilgour, and for the future only do it where intended by the computer. Mrs Kilgour was down to sing three songs, but sang six, as the audience evidently knew a good voice when they heard it, and enthusiastically encored her lirst efforts. The finest vocal display was " Sing Sweet Bird," but the one that found most, favour with tho audience was " Tic for Tat." She also s ing a charming little song by an Australian composer, entitled " Coo ee," which w.n greatly liked. The accompaniment* to Mrs kilgour s songwere played by Mrs Carson, ill a most cllicionl ill inner. This lady also played a solo, a " Polish !» nice,'' but it, was rather too high class 1 -r the a i.lience, and notwithstanding the miste.vlv rendering "I it, it was not redem inded. Mis Carson is evidently entitled to mil; as a lir-t class pianiste, and it was only uwinif >o i sjleetion of the piece that she was n it. encored. Had she played one of the popular airs, with variations, the result would have been different. Our local singers acquitted themselves well, Mrs C. Hunter receiving an encore for her first song, as was also Captain Reid. The following is tho programme:—Piano duet, "Li l-avorita, Messrs McDoniott and Haitly ; song. "Coining Thro tho Rye," Mrs Maxwell; song, "The Abbott," Mr H. Wilson; song, " Dear Heart," Mrs Kilgour, encored, and "Coo-ee," substituted; song, " Annie Laurie," Capt. Reid, encored, and "Bring to Me a Pint of Wine " given ; song, The Palling Star," Miss Murray ; song, "Queen of the Earth," Mrs C. Hunter ; encored, and last verse repeated. Interval ; Piano duet, " Waves of the Ocean," Miss L. and Mi-T. Wilson, very nicely rendered ; song. " Alice Where. Art Thou," Mr 0. Garland; song, "Sing Sweet Bird," Mrs Kilgour, encored, and "Tit for Tat" given; song, "Ora Pro Nobis," Miss Murray ; song, "My Pet," " Mrs Maxwell ; piano solo. " 1 olish Dance," Mrs Carson; song, "The Request," Mrs Kilgour, encored, and "Loves Request," substitated : soug, " The Land o' the Leal," Capt. Reid ; song, " ibe Old and the Young Marie," Mrs C. Hunter. National Anthem. Mr .Davis, of Hamilton, was tu have played a banjo solo, but lie being unable to attend, Miss Murray kindlv filled the vacancy by singing a song. A portion of the audience behaved in a most disgraceful manner when Capt. Reid sang his second song, and \ery nearly caused the termination of the concert befoi e the end of tho programme had been reached. We always expect the hoodlums to indulge ill a little rough play, but we were liaidlv prepared to see young ladies joining their ranks, as was tho case on Wednesday evening. Two young ladies in the front seats very nearly gamed notoriety, for had they behaved when Capt. Reid was singing his encore as they did while he was giving his first song, lie intended to have stopped and thanked them for their attention.