Concert at Alexandra.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 31, 31 July 1902, Page 6

Concert at Alexandra.

Few and far between come the musical treats Buch as the people of Alexandra had the opportunity of listening to on Thursday evening last (says the local Herald), on the oooasion of the concert given in aid of the building fund of the Clyde Catholic Church. Taking advantage of the visit to the district of Miss Rose Blaney the celebrated Dunedm soprano, the promoters of the concert sought that lady's assistance and, in response to the appeal, Dunedin's talented vocalist unhesitatingly offered her services, as also did her accomplished sister, Mrs Costelloe, albeit both ladies did so at some personal inconvenience, as they were both suffering from rather nevere colds. The announcement that these renowned singers were to take part in the evening's entertainment had the effect of attracting an unusually large audience, the Town Hall being literally packed to suffocation when the curtain rose, and judgingj udging by the repeated and enthusiastic demonstrations of approval one and all were intensely delighted with the efforts of the performers The fiist item on the programme was a selection, ' The Bohemian girl ' by the Alexandra Orchestral Society, which was excellently rendered. By Bpecial request, Mr A.G. Murphy then gave the patriotic eong, ' Motherland,' in which he Bcored a decided hit at the concert held a week previouly, and he was again highly successful in the rendering of the song, his effort being greeted with prolonged applause. Misa Rose Blaney, who was very warmly received then appeared and gave an exquisite rendering of 'At my window,' for which the was vociferously applauded, and in response to an undeniable encore she sang ' Comin' thro' the Rye ' in a manner that was highly pleasing to the audience. Mr Jamea Austin, who was in good voice, followed with a capital rendering of ' Anchored ' for •which be was deservedly applauded. The trio, ' Queen of the night ' given by Mrs Costello, Mise Blaney, and Miss Drumm, was an excellent itf>m, and the sinuers were demonstratively applauded Mrs j' Miller was very successful in her rendering of ' Good-bye,' Mavourneen.' and in response to an encore she sang • The dear little shamrock. Mrs Costelloe gave a very fine rendering of that pathetic song ' Daddy,' and in responte to the demands of the audience for an encore, the same lady contributed 'Arrah go on,' in a most charming manner. This item timply ' brought down the house,' and the audience again demanded an encore, but, aa she was suffering from a coir). Mrs Costelloe contented herself by bowing her acknowledgments. The chairman, Mr James Kelman, in an appropriate speech, thanked the performers for their kind assistance, and also the audience for their attendance. He expressed his great pleasure at bfing able to welcome, at an Alexandra concert, such talented vocalists as Miss Blaney and Mrs Costelloe, and he felt sure that everyone was highly delighted with the singing they had listened to that evening. After a fhort interval, the Alexandra Orchestral Society contributed a selection, 'The daughter of the regiment,' in first-class style, after which Mish Blaney a^ain appeared and gave an excellent lendermsr of ' Embarrassment,' repeating the last vers-e iv respoi se to au encore. MtSMs Richards and Murphy sang'- The fi^heiriiai/ for which they were loudly applauded and were obliged to r p-atth.- la-t vc ree to satisfy tie auditi c '<? Remind. Mrs Costelloe ag in won the hearly sijjprtcation r.f her au. itors by her Hrgmgof ' AMthore,' ut.d she hart to reappear and repeat the List ye se tenure the audience could be quioted. Mrs Miller's singing of •Flori M-icdouald's lament 1 wan an excellent item, and then followed a duet, ' Sainted Mother,' which was exquis t°ly aung by Mrs Costelloe an 1 Miss Blaney , The item was perhaps the gem— a gem among; nnuy gems— of the evening* programme, and the eingers had to jeappear and repeat the last stanza. Another Reliction by the orchestra was wdl received and the singii.g of 'God save the King' concluded one of the most enjoyable entertainments of the kind ever held in Alexandra. The Alexandra Brass Bard contnlu ed a number of st lections in good style, prior to the opining of the concert. Misaes Drumm (of Dunedin) and Miss Reany acted as aecompanisti during the evening. The gross proceeds of the entertainment amount to a^out £40. We think this is about the record for a local concert, and Miss Reany (who organised the entertainment) is to be congratulated on the success of her efforts in not only providing a first-class entertainment, but also iv materially assisting the worthy cause for which the concert was promoted.