Complimentary Concert to Miss Rose Blaney

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 32, 6 August 1903, Page 20

Complimentary Concert to Miss Rose Blaney

The large audience which was present at his Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, on Friday night, on the occasion of the complimentary concert tendered to Miss Rose Blaney in connection with her forthcoming departure from this city, wa's a splendid testimony to the populanty of the talented vocalist. Had it been an ordinary occasion, it is fair to assume that not more than a few score persons would be brave enough to leave their homes on such an inclement night, and, therefore, when they attended in their hundreds they showed that they had put their own comfort to one side when it was a question of paying not alone a compliment but a debt of gratitude to a lady who has at all times been ready to place her splendid talents at the disposal of the people tor the aid and furtherance of every good cause. Apart from her vocal abilities, which are unquestionably of a very high order, Miss Blaney possesses a charm of manner, and fieedom from affectation which have helped her to win her way into the hearts of all, and consequently she has been without doubt the most popular vocalist in the city, where her departure will create a void in musical circles. In consequence of the length of the programme it was decided not to allow encores, but the audience could not be prevented from exercising their prn lieges in connection with the appearance of Miss Blaney and her popular sister, Mrs. Costelloe, in their solo items on the programme. Miss Blaney also took part with her sister, Mrs. Costelloe, in the duet, ' O sainted mother,' from ' Maritana,' which was undoubtedly the gem of the evening. Mrs. Costelloe on her appearance received quite an ovation, her enthusiastic recep-tion being evidence that, notwithstanding her absence from Dunedin, her many friends here have still pleasant recollections of her fine vocal powers.