AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 239, 8 October 1891, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

Some time ago, our readers may remember, it was reported that the well-known Payne family of vocalists, who had visited Auckland on soveral occasions, had left the musical world, and that their Company had been broken up, owing to the death of two members of the family. However, the company arrived here during the month and they state that the reporb of the breaking-up of tbe Company and the deaths of its members is not correct, except in so far as concerns Miss Nellie Payne, who died in South Australia, of consumption, shortly after the family left Auckland. Ib speaks volumes for the popularity of the Payne Family that, pitted against such a powerful counter attraction as " Princess Ida," they wero obliged to turn money away from the dross circle door at a quarter to eight on Sept. 23. The body of the hall was densely packed. Every item on the programme was artistically rendered, and met with unbounded approbation. The Auckland season has been a greab success.

' The ball to mark the conclusion of the Ponsonby Social Union's season took place on Oct. 2nd, and was unquestionably the most successful of bhe many charming little dances given under the management of the Union. Each dance of the season has eclipsed the one thab preceded ib in enjoyableness,and bhe members were prepared for something exceptionally good on this occasion. Their mosb sanguine expectations were far exceeded. Mr Davidson was violinist, and Mr Burke was ab the piano, with Mr Borthwick double bass and Mr O'Beirne clarionet. All the waltzes were played to popular airs, and some were encored. The sixteen lancers are always well danced ab the social, and lasb night they wenb so well thab two sets were encored. The supper was a reoherche ono. Mr Buchanan was caterer, but tho tables were supplemented by and arranged under tho direction of Mesdames Rees, Morrin, Gentles, and other ladies. The programme comprised twenty dances, bub bhere were also five or six extras. The ball, which wenb splendidly from sbarb to finish, concluded between one and two o'clock. Mr W. J. Rees was as usual a capital Master of Ceremonies, and was assisted by the following members of the Committee •• —Messrs S.D. Hanna, J. M. Laxon, C. Campbell, W. J. Geddis, W. Boak, T. Billington, and H. Gentles.

The Auckland Choral Society's concert at the Choral Hall on September 15th was in some ways a memorable one. The huge audience was packed so tightly inbo i the building thab scarce anobher human being could have found standing room. From the firsb bar to the last interval Gade's music held that mass of people in thrall. It will be universally admitted that with the "Crusaders " the' Society have nob only scored the success of the season, but gained fresh laurels. Most undoubtedly ib was very far ahead of any oratorio given in Auckland for a considerable period, and bhe Commibtee and every individual member of bhe orchestra and choruses are entitled to share in the kudos earned, as well as the conductor and the soloists. Tbe working up of these oraborios is nolightlabour,andhasfallenheavily on the shoulders of men whose names appear only incidentally, but who are entitled to as large a share of the sweets of the success which was to a great extent gained_ by their unceasing hard work and untiring energy. Herr Schmitb deserves great praise. The leadership of the orchestra by Herr Tutschka was specially commendable. The soloist of the evening was, without any shadow of doubt, Miss Rimmer, who far excelled noo only her colleagues, but herself. Mr G. Reid as Rinaldo was meritorious. He sang correctly, and was undoubtedly a mosb able and pleasing exponent of the music allotted to him. Mr H. Bretb took the difficult bass parb of " Peter the Hermit," and gave a rendering thab more than satisfied those who knew thab he took the work up ab the laßt momenb to fill a vacancy. The chorus are to be warmly congratulated. The

tenors were slightlyoverweightod, but made up for it, considering there wero some twenty-seven bass to fifteen or sixteen tenors. The overture to " Ruy Blus," was rendered ih the interval. Giving an item of Mendelssohn's music was a happy idea,_ as ib gave the audience a chance of comparing composers whose style is so allied. The item obtained a big reception, being vigorously applauded.

A grand benefib concerb, tendered to Mrs Sibbin, who lost her husband ab football lately, was given in bhe Choral Hall on September 17 by the Auckland Orchestral Union. The concert was a repetition of that given on the previous Thursday, with several new items. As was the case on that occasion, Mr Paquo, Mr Hemus, and the orchestra interpreted every work entrusted to them wibh an ability and artistic baste worthy of the reputation of the Union. Thoso who assisted were:—Mrs Burgess, Mr T. M. Jackson, and Mr Sam Jackson.

On September 21st " Princess Ida " wa a produced for the firsb time by the Auckland Amateur Opera Company. Vocally, the opera was a success. The choruses were excellent, and have been admirably trained by Herr Schmitb. The ladies were oxcellenb, and so were the basses. As Princess Ida, Mrs Cooper surprised and delighted her besb friends. She sang with wonderful purity and correctness, and wibh considerable dramatic power. Miss Reeve made an ideal Lady Blanche; her dignity was admirable and her by-play careful. Her singing was likewise good. Miss Warren was a taking Melissa, Miss Maud Harper as Lady Psyche wa3 piquant, bright, and original, and she sang very prettily. Amongst the men Mr Tayler (King Gama) and Mr Jackson (HiUrion) stood out conspicuously, bub Mr Edmiston as Hildebrand did not realize expectations. Mr G. M. Reid as Cyril was in good voice, and sang remarkably well. Mr Chambers was an acceptable Florian. The three brothers, Arac, Guron and Scynthius, were very good indeed. Their trios were most enjoyable ones.

A novelty in entertainment took place ab the Y. M. C. A. Rooms on Sept. 25 in the shape of a united literary competition of societies in affiliation wibh tho Auckland Young Men's Christian Association. Mr J. H. Upton (the Mayor) presided. The firsb competition was in elocution. The judges were Messrs Theo, Cooper, W. Gorrio, and E. M. C. Harrison, who awarded first place to Mr R. H. Potter (Tabernacle Literary Society), and second place to Mr David Hutchison (St. James's Literary Society). A gleo by Messrs Abel, Leigh, Norrie, and Mill followed. The V.M.C.A. Socieby being the only competitors, no certificate was awarded. Mr Upton then announced the awards made in bhe literary contests by the judges, Professor Thomas, William Borry and Theo. Cooper. For the beet essay, that of Miss E. H. McKerras (of Sb. James's Liberary Socieby) was adjudicated bhe nest. Of the poems submitted to the judges they found thab the poem by Mr L.- Sb. J. Kekwick (V.M.C.A. Literaryand Debating Society) was. the be3t, and that two obher poems were of equal merit for second place, viz., Mr Aldis' (of Tabernacle Literary Socieby) and Mr S. Clarke Johnson's (of St. James's Liberary Socieby). For novelettes the judges placed firsb Miss E. H. McKerras (Sb. James's Literary Socieby), and second Mr W. H. Carter (Tabernacle Literary Society). Six manuscript magazines had been sent in for competition by the affiliated societies, and the judges stated they were all very meritorious. The magazine of the Mount Eden Young People's Association was placed firsb, and bhab of St. James's Literary Society second. A competition in extempore speaking followed, Mr C. J. Parr "(of the V.M.C.A. Society) carrying off firsb honours, and Mr F. M. Hay (Tabernacle Society) w»3 placed second. For singing Mr XV. Musker (of the Pitt-street Literary Society) carried off the honours, Mr Edgar Walton being placed second.