ST. DOMINIC’S COLLEGE, DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 13 May 1915, Page 31

ST. DOMINIC’S COLLEGE, DUNEDIN

: ; " (From an occasional correspondent;) ; : On Monday evening, May 3, the pupils : of St. Dominic's College tendered a concert to his Lordship the Bishop in connection with the anniversary of his consecration. The programme presented was an excellent one, the items being varied and interesting, and the whole was carried through with the smoothness and ease which necessarily follow careful training and thoughtful study. The opening chorus, ! Blindman's buff' (Liza Lehmann) went very well, and the parts were well sustained. The college orchestra contributed a pizzicato selection, 'Mignonette' (Godard). \ The rendering of this delightful fragment was exceptionally good, the only faultif such one may name it—being that it was much too short. Two bracketed piano numbers by Miss E. Millow, 'Romance' (Rubinstein) and * ' Sur le lac' (Moore), demonstrated the artistic taste and executive ability of this young lady. Miss Brown was heard to great advantage in* Nobil Signor' (Meyerbeer). The violin solo, 'Mazurka' (Wieniawski), by Miss Annetts, was characterised by brilliant attack and good technique, while the dainty passages were by no means overlooked. Five scenes from 'St. Catherine of Alexandria (M. Francis Raphael, 0.5. D.) proved that elocutionary training has not been neglected. The scenes presented gave many opportunities for the exhibition of dramatic talent, and these golden opportunities were seized by those taking part.. It would be difficult to find a more suitable play, pr a better performance than the one in question. The characters were suitably and artistically dressed in the fashion in vogue in those far-off days, the parts were well spoken, every syllable being distinguishable, and the incidental music by invisible singers captured everyone's attention and added materially to the beauty of a charming performance. The second part of the programme opened with an instrumental trio, 'Ave Maris Stella' (Grieg), by Misses D. Annetts, Z. Venning, and D. Kelly. This was a musical treat, and the parts blended beautifully, due regard being paid to the piano passages. Miss IT. Collins gave a splendid rendering of the piano solo, Allegro burlesco ' (Kuhlau). Perhaps the gem of the evening was Miss Carter's singing of ' Alia Stella Confidente' (Robaudi), with 'cello obligato by Miss Venning. Miss Carter possesses a rich contralto voice, beautifully trained, and artistic temperament. Her singing was delightful. The pupils contributed a second part-song, 'The Angelus' (Chaminade). The programme concluded with a most amusing French comedietta, entitled 'The wolf,' given by the junior, pupils. The delightful simplicity of the children, and their keen appreciation of the humor of the play enabled them to enter into the spirit of it, and keep the audience convulsed with laughter. • His Lordship addressed the assembly, thanking the pupils for their delightful entertainment. May 3, nineteen years ago, he said, he was consecrated Bishop of Dunedin. On that occasion the then, pupils of St. Dominic's had given him an entertainment which, at the time, he thought quite one of the best concerts he had heard, but the standard of efficiency had by no means lessened. That night's concert had been quite as enjoyable. May 3 was a memorable date to him, as on that date fifteen years previously Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, had been opened. The beginning was small and unpretentious, but that, too, had progressed marvellously. - Supper was served after the entertainment.. All enjoyed the delightful evening. . ■