Palmerston North

New Zealand Tablet, 24 July 1913, Page 53

Palmerston North

C CONVENT PUPILS' CONCERT, , . The concert given in the Opera House on the evening of July 1 by the Convene-pupils in aid of the children's ward at the hospital met with a gratifying response from the public, a £SO house being recorded (says a local paper;. The programme was a first class , one and reflected credit alike on the pupils and on their teachers, the Sisters of the Convent. The concert was notable for, the appearance of several accomplished soloists. Miss Kearms, a local young lady, made her : public debut and received an ovation. She has a clear .and powerful soprano, of wide range and- sweet quality, surprisingly clear in the upper register. She was only down for one item on the programme, but owing to hearty encores she made in ail tnree appearances. Her first number was 'The worker' (Gounod), which she interpreted with admirable feeling. She was vociferously encored and was presented with a handsome shower bouquet. In response she sang with much sympathy ' The Irish emigrant,' and repeated a portion of the song on receiving a second recall. Immediately afterwards she had to take her part in a quintet, so that the task falling to her initial night was by no means a light one. Mrs. Broad created a, very favorable impression by her rendering of Gounod's ' O, Redeemer.' Her production and enunciation were alike excellent, and the interpretation was a particularly faithful one, the work losing none of its truly devotional character. Mrs. Broad was enthusiastically recalled, and gave a nice rendering of 'What shall I sing you.' Another acceptable soloist was Miss A. Hilles, A.T.C.L., who gave ' Le Parlate d'Amor,' and for an encore 'Morning song.' Miss Buck was also heard to advantage as soloist in the choral number ' Bel Raggio Lusinghier' (Rossini), which had to be repeated. In the chorus ' O, sing to God,' Mrs Broad and Miss A. Hilles were responsible for the solo work. The ensemble was most satisfactory, the voices being wel] balanced and properly under control. The ' Creation hymn' of Beethoven was produced with capital effect by a choir of about 30 pupils of the Convent, who had to make a reappearance. An attentive hearing was accorded the quintet ' O, hush thee, my babe ' by Mrs. Broad, Misses Buck, Hilles, Kearins and Graham. The last of the vocal items had a popular reception. This was a sextet, ' The flight of the swallows,' in which the parts were taken by Mrs. Broad, Misses Graham, Kearins, Hills, Buck, and Tucker. The instrumental features of the entertainment were equally acceptable.. The performance of most out-standing merit was the playing of Liszt's ' Rhapsody No. 2,' by Miss Vera Graham, L.A.B. In response to an encore she played 'The bees' wedding.' The opening item was well chosen j it was the ' Grand waltz ' of Hunten, played as a pianoforte duet by Masters R. Oakley and 11. Nash, two pupils who showed much progress in their tuition by the Sisters. The piano duo, ' Pas de cymbales,' by Misses A. Rainbow, L.T.C.L., and R. Kelly, A.T.C.L., was very generally appreciated. Another difficult duo, was the first movement from Grieg's Concerto in A minor played by Misses Graham, L.A.8., and V. Kendall, L.T.C.L. There were two fine pianoforte quartets—' Dances Nos. VI. and VII.' (Brahms), by Misses G. Richter, E. Pemberton, M. and A. Hodgins; and ' Marche militate' (Schubert), by Misses W. Symes, M. Hill, E. Lynch, and M. Buchanan. The instrumental items concluded with the duo, ' Rhapsodie No. 12 ' (Liszt) by Misses V. Kendall, L.T.C.L., and I. Carey, an item that was .remarkable for fine temoo. The accompaniments were played by Misses A. Rainbow, L T C L and V. Graham, L.A.B. ' ' *' At the close of the entertainment, Mr. F. J. Nathan, treasurer of the children's ward fund, an- * nounced that there had been a most satisfactory result irom the concert. He thanked the pupils and Sisters * of the convent, who had provided such an excellent concert. It was greatly to the credit of the Sisters that they came to him without being asked and offered to devote the proceeds of their annual concert (which

customarily went to their own institution) ; to the , children's ward, : He moved a hearty vote of thanks to them; The motion was : carried ;•;by. acclamation, and the function concluded with the playing of rthe National Anthem. • ■';;- ■■• v:. •,--■• ~,„•. .. ._. ...-

Karangahake (From our own correspondent.) ' : ' July 11. The mission preached by the Rev. Father Creagh, C.SS.R., in the Church of the Sacred Heart, was undoubtedly the. most successful ever held in Karangahake, and should be productive of lasting good. At the closing ceremony a branch of the Catholic Federation was inaugurated. A guard of honor was also enrolled. A social was held recently by the committee of the Catholic Federation, and the proceeds were handed over to the bazaar committee. It is intended to push forward the building of the Convent school with all despatch, and any subscriptions from sympathisers will be received with thanks by the secretary of the bazaar committee. On Thursday, July 10, his Lordship Bishop Cleary paid a, visit to the town, and gave a lecture on the Bible-m-Schools question. In spite of the weather, the local hall was well filled, and his Lordship was accorded an enthusiastic reception, not only by his own flock, but by a great number of other denominations, who are working against the proposed innovation. At the conclusion of the lecture, his Lordship answered several questions. His grasp of the subject, and his masterly explanations left no room for adverse criticism. His Lordship was accorded a hearty vote of thanks a similar compliment being paid the chairman (Mr/J. F. Mayn), who carried out his duties in a singularly happy manner. J