MISS DONOVA'S CONCERT.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3971, 20 April 1883, Page 2

MISS DONOVA'S CONCERT.

Miss Donovan's grand concert took place in the Choral Hall last night before a large and appreciative audience. The programme was n choice and attractive one, and the anticipation that it engendered of a musical treat was simply realised. Mendelssohn's "Wedding March," played as a pianoforte duct by Miss Donovan and Mm IC Donovan, win the opening item, and it served to manifest the proficiency of both ladies as pianistes. Mr hhudes followed with Koeckel's "Storm Fiend," which he sang with his usual felicity of expression, and lino t fleet. Tho double quartette, "O Nanny wilt thou Gang wi 1 Me," was rendered in a manner which evidenced careful and frequent rehearsal, while Miss Stephenson, for her singing of the pretty song, "When Love went out A-Maying" (Roeckel), was honoured with the first encore of the evening. Miss Donovau played Weber's " Invitation a la Val&e" witu consummate taste, but her next contribution, viz,, Pope's fantasia on American airs, was the instrumental gem of the concert, Mr Edmiston gave n, pleasing rondering of " The Village Blacksmith," and Mrs Kilgour sung "Alia Stella Confidente" very happily, the only fault being that the accompaniment was rather loud, This sumo lady took part with Mr Rhodes in a pretty duet by Balfe, " Excelsior." It proved highly acceptable. The double quartette, "' Fairies' Kecal" (Carl Scbmitt), is a charming little morceau, but it .was marred by an unequal balance of voices. In a new descriptive sone, via., " Tho Fireman," Mr Gooch fairly excelled himself and the audience at once enforoed an encore, "Will 0' the Wisp" being given with a nice appreciation of its inherent humour. Miss Staunton proved her ability by singing Donizetti's "O Mio Fernando" satisfactorily, and Mr Garland followed tyith "The Yeoman's Wedding Song in good style. ' Mrs Kilgour sang Wallaco's '1 One Gentle Heart" quite artistically and she was promptly encored, Mr .Edwards earned an encore by his agreeable rendering of ." Shining Stars" (Carl Schmitt, and then took part with Miss Stauuton in the closing item a duet entitled " "We Wandered in Dreams,"—The audience dispersed to the drains of the National Anthem. Herr Carl Schmitt acted as conductor of the concert and Miss Kate Donovan as accompanist.