CONCERT IN THE CHORAL HALL.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 985, 15 March 1873, Page 2

CONCERT IN THE CHORAL HALL.

The concert at the Choral Hall, last evening, in aid of the Artillery, Pane Brigade, and City Band funds was a great success. The hall was well filled with an appreciative audience. Mr Joseph Browne and other members of the Choral Society took a leading part in the evening's performance. The first part of the programme opened with an overture by the Town Band, assisted by the leading members of the Choral Society. One or two of the instruments appeared to be somewhat Hat, and the time was rather uneven, but otherwise the instrumentation was remarkable for finished execution. Lutgow's glee, "Wild Hunt," was next given by gentlemen amateurs. It was evident that the piece had not been sufficiently practised, there being a distinguishable want of harmony between the voices. The gentlemen who took part in the glee were capable of better things, and they did not do justice to their own powers by last night's rendering. The waltz "Wiener Kinder," by the band, followed, and was well rendered. Miss Leaf, a lady amateur, made her first appearance with the song '' Ring on, Sweet Angelus." We feel justified in mentioning this young lady's name, although it was omitted from the programme, in order that she may receive the praise and encouragement which her song last evening really deserved. Miss Leaf possesses a good voice, sweet and flexible, and of tolerable power. There was a slight lack of expression in her rendering last night, but in other respects the song was very effectively given, and elicited an enthusiastic encore. The Artillery band favoured the audience with a cavatina from ' Barber de Seville," which was well given. The duet " Love and War," by gentlemen amateurs, which followed, was not by any means perfect. The "lover" rendered his solo well, but his voice was too weak for such a piece. The "warrior" was very tame, and on several occasions deserted, the lover, more particularly in the quick movements. More practice would, no doubt, have resulted in a much better rendering. "Pest," by the band, concluded the first part of the programme. After the intermission the Town Band opened with the overture Figaro, in magnificent style, both time and tune being faultless. The glee, " Spring's Delights," was given in excellent voice, and the harmony was well preserved. The piece appeared to have been well practised, and those musical lights and shades that evidence a tasteful and finished performance were well attended to. The clarionet solo, by Mr Impey, was perhaps the greatest musical treat of the evening. It reminded us of thesolosofHerr Werner, and we believe Mr Impey will ere long be fully equal to that distinguished musician. He is, now, unquestianably, one of the best clarionet performers in the Australasian coloniea. Mr

_.. , • . .__,•_ «n-nitil dtvie •' Gatland sang a comic song in capital styic , we think this class of music is better suited cultivation of the comic, which is indispen- , sable to the success of a miscellaneous concert. "Evangeline," by Miss Leaf, was verywell rendered and was vociferously encored. The concert was closed with the " Florentiner" by the band and the National Anthem