THE PAYNE FAMILY.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 177, 27 July 1889, Page 8

THE PAYNE FAMILY.

The Payne family of musicians made their first appearance before an Auckland audience afc the Choral Hall last evening. Their reputation as successful caterers for the entertainment) of the public having preceded them, they were received by v bumper house, and an enthusiastic audience into the bargain. The Paynefamily includes live musicians, of all whom are talented and admirably trained, both as vocalists and instrumentalists, and the only outsider is Mr Ralph Steele, who is a valuable addition to their ranks. The programme of the evening contained chiefly the moat popular of well-known music, and the unaccompanied part songs were marked by excellent harmony, and an attention to expression that was exquisite. The part song " Bells " is common enough, but ifc was an entirely new experience to hear it interpreted by the Payne family, :the real beauty of the music, which is admirably descriptive of a peal of bells, being very well interpreted. The slave melody, " Steal Away to Jesus," was sung with much feeling, and a vocal and instrumental quartette, "Swinging," was .ouifce a novelty in its treatment. Several humorous selections were interspersed, a sobbing quartette, sneezing trio, and part songs, "Pro Phundo Basso," and "Call John," being provocative of much merriment. Mr Steelo sang " Queen of the Earth" (Pinsuti), and proved himself to bo an accomplished vocalist, and his humorous song, "Yawning," almost convulsed the audience with laughter by its apparent realism. Mies Maud Payne, who, unfortunately, was unable to sing solo on account of a severe cold, treated the audience to some excellent instrumental selections, her violin solos, "Blue Bells" and "The Mocking Bird, quite charming the listeners. Miss Nellie Payne sang Po6t)r'a " Cuckoo," with violin obligato, and acquitted herself very successfully, the more florid passages being very skilfully negotiated. Miss Lizzie Payne rendered Millard's " Waiting " very effectively, and Mr W. J. Payne contributed the solo "I'll Take You Home, Kathleen," with chorus by the company, also a very successful item. ' The trio, "Three Little Maids" (Sullivan), was charmingly rendered by the Miwaea Payne, and" Messrs Payne (2) and Steele caused continuous laughter by a humorous interpretation of Paxton'a " Sneezing " trio. Other excellent items included a violin trio "Popular Airs" (Witchle) by tho Misses Payne, and part song, " Tho Old Year is Dying." Almost evevy itom was encored, andin responeo-totho recalls some additional attractions were provided, the best of which v/oro "No, Sir," by Miss Nellie, and an imitation of tho Scottish bagpipes by tho Company, tho whole entartaitimonu being of a mo.eb enjoyable character. The Payne

family will reappear at tho Choral Ball on Monday evening next wibb. a D©w pro*, gramme.