BLENHEIM

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 14, 2 April 1903, Page 19

BLENHEIM

A very successful concert was given in Blenheim on St Patrick's Day, Ewart's Hall being crowded with an. enthusiastic and appreciative audience. This was only what was due (says the local 'Express') to the musical merit ot the concert, which did credit to those who arranged it. A selection of 'Irish airs,' rendered by an orchestra, was an appropriate overture. Mr. D. Twohill was the first vocalist, singing 'Oh ! steer my barque,' u nd on a recall 'Father O'Flynn.' Miss W 7 hite won applause for her rendition of 'Come back to Erin,' and Miss Twohill used her facile soprano with effect in 'The swallows, and in the encore number 'Mignon.' Justice was done by Mesdames Mitchell and Edwards to Glover's 'Imitation to dance,' and the ladies were recalled and responded with another duet. Miss F. Morrison gave 'Kathleen Mavourneen,' and her rendition was marked by excellent expression. On a well-merited recall the young lady repeated the last -verse. The interpretation of the trio Sonata No. 18 (Haydn) by Mrs. Mitchell (piano). Mrs. Edwards (violin), and Mr. F. Hale (cello) was of a high standard. A most acceptable number was the rendition of 'It came with the merry May, love' by Miss O'Sullivan. In a second ballad, sung as a re-appearance, Miss O'Sullivan revealed some cultured methods. Mr. J. D. Mitchell was accorded warm applause for his recitation, 'How he died.' It was a particularly fine elocutionary effort On an encore Mr. Mitchell recited the fa\onte 'Glasky on the Clyde ' The contribution of Mr. G. Edwards, who sang a humorous song, was a popular one, and, of course, had to be supplemented. Tho Rev. Father Holley's ' Robert Emmet's farewell to his country' was full of force and expression, and his audience demanded a reappearance. The orchestral overture 'Gems of Ireland' was the introduction to the second part. Mr Kerr was applauded for his singing of 'The carnival ' The ever-pleasing 'Killarney' was sting by Miss E Waddy, and evoked a well-deserved encore. Miss White was recalled for her rendering of 'The last rose of summer,' and gained further favor w 7 ith a pretty coon song A number that was maiked by high musical merit was the instrumental duet played by Mrs. Edwards (violin) and Mrs. Mitchell (piano). The florid music of the fantasia from 'William Tell' was interpreted with a classical correctness and an artistic effectiveness on which the two lady instrumentalists must be cordially complimented. Miss Twohill sang 'Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,' and Miss O'Sullivan (Mil idled the second pat t of the programme with a fine jendenng of "1 he mooting- of the waters,' which evoked a heaity iccall A similar tribute was paid to Miss r l wohill and Miss White for their duet, ']n the dusk of the twilight ' The Rev Father Servajean took the opportunity of thanking tho audience for tho generous supnoit they had accorded to tho concert, and acknowledging the services of the visitors from Wellington — Misses O'Sullivan White and Twohill. the Rev Father Holley. ,nul Mr Twohill — and those of the local singers and instrumentalists Jn tho course of a characteristic speech, which o\orflo\\ed with humor, and was in fact one of Ihe best items of tho r>\oninp Father Sorvaiean expressed Ins pleasme that St Patrick's Day had boon celebiated with such success It was, ho said, \erv pleasing to see a general holiday observed, and tho sympathy of tho community as a whole extended to the celebration of a worthy national festival

The progiannne concluded with the comic duet, 'The motor car,' sung by Mr (1 Edwards and the Rev, L. C SorvauMii. which .sent the large audience home in the best of moods Tho accompanists of the concert were MVs McCabe, Mrs. Mitchell, Miss O'Sullhan, and Miss White