AUCKLAND ORCHESTRAL UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 94, 24 April 1891, Page 4

AUCKLAND ORCHESTRAL UNION.

The Auckland Orchestral Union gave tho first concert in their second season at the Choral Hall last evening. The members mustered in good force, under the able lead of Mr Q. A. Paque, Mr Chavles Hemus leading the orchestra. The audience was large and enthusiastic. The concert opened with Auber's overture, "La Sirene," a bright and attractive number, in which the instrumentalists acquitted themselves brilliantly. The next orchestral selection was a concert piece, SvendEon's "Rhapsodic Norvegienne No. 3." The result was very fine indeed, and the audience applauded loudly. The concluding number of tho first part wag Sullivan's " Graceful Danco," from tho music in "Henry VIII." Tho time was most correctly observed and the ensemble almost perfect. An encore was demanded and the latter part of the composition ropeated. The overture " Banditenstreiche " (Yon Supp6), with which the second part of the concert opened was also a capital number, except that in the allegro movement leading up to the very effective finale the lead was weak hi volume while tho drums and bas3eshad an undue prominence. A couple of incidental morceaux for the clarionet and cornet were admirably played by Mr S. Jackson and Mr McComisb. The popular "Stephanie" Gavotte (Czibulka) Teas played with fine effect. An encore was inevitable, and the latter portion of the number was repeated. The "Hungarian Dance No. 1 (Brahms) was also a good number. During the evening MiGeorge M. Reid contributed two songs, " Bella Napoli" by Boscowitz, and Balfe'e ever popular "GoodNight, Beloved." The former was not a success, but in the latter Mr Reid scored a decided success and was loudly applauded. An encore was demanded and responded co. Miss Whitaker sang " The Closing of Day " (Tours), but did not appear to have made a good selection, and was not heard at her best. Tho violin solo, "Air Varie," Op 16 (Rode), played by Mr J. C. Clough, with quintette accompaniment was a masterly performance. Mr Glough is nob a showy violinist, his tone is nob very full, but the difficulties of the composition were overcome with such facility as would prove the envy of many skilled performers. The success achieved ensured loud and prolonged applause, and in response Mr Clough played Tours' popular "SwiDg Song."