CONCERT BY ST. JOSEPH'S CHOIR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 53, 2 May 1874, Page 9

CONCERT BY ST. JOSEPH'S CHOIR.

The Choir of St. Joseph's, assisted by several ladies and gentlemen, gave a most pleasing oiitertainment in the school-room attached to the church, on the evening of Friday, 24th ult. The programme was a well selected and most varied one, embracing ballads, songs, giees, and recitations. Mr Sykes, organist of St. Joseph's, presided at the piano, und was ably assisted by Air O'Connell, on the violin, who kindly volunteered his services on the occasion. The programme was not cairied oat in its integrity, several substitutions being made to supply the places of absentees, an arrangement, however, by whish the audience lost nothing After an overture by Messrs Sykes and O'Connell, the pat hi tic ballad of "The Irish Emigrant," was given by Mr Emus, and though udired with feeling, the effect was greatly maired by nervousness. The principal burden of tlie evening Uh upon Miss Hesford, who, besides taking part in several glees, f ivouied the audience with " Come back to Erin," " The dear little Shamrock," ai,d "Jessie's Dream." Tne s-lection from the opera oi Vietorm •, and etket, and the spirited s-mg ol "The Horn of Cha-o," by the "I never Cmi Forgtt," 1-y Mr. Lennon, was given with both feeling same gentleman, was i\ceiu i d with, applause. Mr Lougli.ian secure \ au ciuore for hi- rendering of the comic aria " Le No^u dc Figaru,' ivjd lvid he inki-ed a lit tic more animation it would have been the, happiest clfort of the e\enii'g, the rather difficult music being singularly correct. Mr Bu'iin came v\ for a fair share of approbai on for his'ru'Hation of Campbell's " Downfall of Poland." The palm must, however, be gi\m lo the concerted pieces. Weber's quartette, " Bemdictus," and Cnvsehiiiann's m ignificunt tiij " Ti Progo," being detidedh the gems of the evening. Mr O'Connell cause 1 considerable amusement bj hi- excellent imitation on the violin of the [Scotch pipes, and on being enthusiastic dh leca'led, stt not a few feet patting with au liibli jig. Mojiv's chaimnig balla lot the " Lms: Kose of Summer," had bn.ii set down a nong ihe voeil part of the enterfumnent, but Ihe ln'ly on whwin n de\olved being ab-ent, MrS>kes phyedit with va"iatum« on the pirno, a- also a descnj t've piece in which the pcihng ol'ioA-bell", \arieii by the i oiling of thuuder, was imita c I witli great i.tvui\uT. r lhc ultoudance vwb a nuin rous and— judging from the <mphuis'e bestow cd — a moit appreciative one. We have no doubt the eutcrt-nnmi'iit was a thorough success in a pecuniary point of view, ac ir decidedly was otherwise ; and a« tl.o Choir purpose givn g aiother concert -shortly, the p oceeds of w huh w ill be towards tho expenselately incurred in eonneciion w,th St Josep'a's School-room, w c ti usl to see an cqmlh 1 u-ge attenfanco.