Westminster Glee and Concert Party.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxii, Issue 6699, 17 October 1905, Page 2

Westminster Glee and Concert Party.

The reappearance of Mr Edward Branssombe's Westminster Glee and Concert Party after an absence of two years was jreeted last night by an audience that juite filled the Oddfellowß' Hall, and the 'requency of the recalls showed that the mtertainment provided met with the approval of those present. The programme ivith the words of the songs contains a historical sketch of Old English Part Music, md in it the purchaser is told the eight reasons give a by a sixteenth century worthy named William Byrde why every3ue should learn to sing. The seventh of ibese is that " there is not any musicke of Lostruments whatever comparable to that which is made by the voyces of men when the voyce3 are good and the same wel 39rted and ordered." In Mr Branscombe's Glee Company the " voyces " are "wel sorted and ordered," and the audience wero not slow to indicate their agreement with the ancient musician on the strength of last night's entertainment. The four boys who contributed solo and part songs possess remarkable Boprano voices, and the singing of Masters Albert Sheppard and J. Marzicani must make lady vocalists envious. The former earned an emphatic recall for hiß rendering of the Old English song, " When the Green Leaves Come Again," and in response he gave a beautiful rendering of " Spring is Coming." Master Marzicani contributed "The Fairies' Lullaby" aad responded to an .encore with "When the Heart is Young." Masters Sheppard and Edgley gave the duet, "A. Song of Mowers," and this was one of the most enjoyable items of the evenings Mr Sterndale Bennett proved himself to be a clever singer of serio-comic songs. In response to " You'd Better Ask Me," he gave ''The Co Operative Dairy," his fine rich bass voice being heard to advantage in both cases. Madame Marie Hooton is the possessor of a fine contralto, and her two items were both loudly encored, the best being probably- Yon Stutzmann's Kassian Love Song. Mr Percy Coward's alto voice was well suited by the old Irish song "Kitty of Coleraine," and he replied to an undeniable recall with the ever-popular " Sally in Our Alley." Of the part sougs, it is difficult, to speak in too high praise, and the renderings given by the Glee Party, consisting of Masters Sheppard, Edg.ey, Marzicani, and a boy whose name did not appear on the programme, assisted by Messrs Coward, Bauhoff, and Sterndale Bennett, came as a revelation to those who had not previously heard this kind of singing so well performed. The Glee Party contributed "Hail Smiling Morn," "Oh, Who will O'er the Downs," "To June," and "Little Jack Homer." The old English catch " 'Twaa You, Sir," proved a most amusing item, and was emphatically encored. The quartette " I Love my Love," by Master Sheppard and Messrs Coward, Bauhoff, and Bennett, was another contribution that was highly appreciated. Mr Bennett's arrangement of Old English Nursery Rhymes, as rendered by the four boys of the Glee Party, was a taking item, and the repetition of a portion of it was heard with pleasure. The three adult members of the Glee Partyj assisted by Master Sheppard, gave a tine and instructive rendering of an nnthem, a piece which was stated to be included in the programme by special request as an extra number. Mr Dudley Causton, whose name did not appear on the programme, kept the audience thoroughly amused during his short stay on the platform. His " turn" resembles that provided by the late Mel. B. Spur, and his humorous sketch, " Charity Bazaars," provoked loud laughter and applause. In rdßponse, he gave a dumb-show sketch of a political speaker's address, in which his gestures and facial contortions were intensely funny. The entertainment was throughout a thoroughly enjoyable one, and when Mr Branacombe brings his company back again he should receive a cordial welcome.