AN INRERESTING COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 16, 19 January 1894, Page 2

AN INRERESTING COMPANY.

THE BLIND MUSICIANS,

Yesterday afberrioon the Blind Musical Students from the Ormond Hall of Music, Melbourne, who are now touring the colonies professionally, gave a epedial performance in the City Hall, to which were invited the press, the clergy and members of the medical faculty of the city. About twenty gentlemen and ladies were present, among them being Bishop Luck, the Revs. A. G. Purchas, S. F. Prior, C. E. Ward, C. H. La-vs, R. F. Maenicol, R. Sommerville, Dr. Hooper, Mr J. Abbott and Mr Tighe, Principal of the New Zealand Institute for the. Blind. The objecb of the entertainment was explained by Mr Abbott, who occupied the chair aud introduced the company. Ho said that the Students were anxious before beginning their series of three concerts next week to give to those who were in a position to influence public opinion an opportunity of judging of their merits. .Mr Abbott dwelt on the praiseworthy fact that the Students, notwithstanding the terrible deprivation they were the victims of, were determined to support themselves, and he felb that in Auckland that determination was certain of receiving every encouragement. It had 'been, he taid, the intention' of the Company to give a fourth conceit in the city, the proceeds of which were to go to the Blind Institute, but it bad been finally determined that as the Institute was a colonial foundation and the people of Auckland had already contributed very generously towards it, the Wellingtonians should be atlorded an opportunity of helping a work in the benefits of which they participated equally with ourselves. The concert would, therefore, be given in Wellington. In speaking of the exhibition of musical skill given by our visitors yesterday, it is natural that one should be somewhat lavish in their praise. It is impossible to listen to them without being appealed to by their misfortune as well as by their talent. As the public are apt to conclude thab our encomiums may be promptod more by sympathy and compassion than by genuine admiration and appreciation of decided musical gifts let us say thab justice aud nob mere generosity demands that wo should speak in high terms of yesterday's performance. Noo the least thing that strikes one in listening to the players is the tenacious musical memory they possess. The opening item of the concert was an instance of this in Mies Wofcton. The young lady had chosen Beethoven's Sonata No. 12 as the introductory piece of the afternoon. As many may remember to is long and abounds in variety. Considering thab the performer had never looked upon a page of music, but had learned all from dictation, her accuracy wae marvellous. But quite as remarkable waa the delicacy of touch and evident appreciation of the finest transitions. With the destruction of the one sense the others have been quickened and strengthened, and ulmosb another sense seems to have been developed in the ringer tipa. ' At first one might seem to perceive a certain deliberation in the playing, bub it is very doubtful whether it really existed, and after listening to the music a shorb time one quite forgot that the player was blind, or at any rate, came to the conclusion that her blindness was no hindrance to her.' *' But not the less cease I to wander where the muses haunt," Rang Milton when referring to his blindness, and a similar affliction does nob seem to binder Miss Wotton from leading her hearers to the pleasant realms of music. As a singer too Miss Wotton deserves praise, her rendering of "Fiddle and I "being very pleasing. In company with Miss Mulvagne she Bang, "Love's Dream is O'er." The last-men-tioned young lady showed herself the possessor of a strong, clear voice. In " Tho Nightingale Thrill," some of her notes were particularly full and melodious, vicing with the flute obligabo by Mr Barblett. Like the other members of the Company, Mr Bartletb has score than one Bbring to his bow, and later on he showed thab he could sing as well as play tho flute, when he gave " The Sleeping Camp." Perhaps the most versatile member of the Company is Miss Wobton, to whom we have already referred and commended for her pianoforte playing and her singing. Towards the close of the afternoon, she showed that she had still another instrument under her command by the way she handled her violip. No item on the programme deserved more praise or gained more than Mr Irwin's performance of Sullivan's "Lost Chord "on the Saxe born. We had never imagined that bo much expression could hare been imparted through the instrument to thia glorious composition. Something of the effect produced on the audience—some" were moved to tears —may have been due to the fact thab the player was blind. There'is little doubt chat it was, bub ab the same time the playing was of a very remarkable character indeed. There only remains to notice the " Gipsies' Laughing Trio," by Messrs Irwin, Bland and Barblebb, and the quartette " Dame Burden " by Misses Wotton and Mulvagne, and Messrs Bland and Irwin. Altogether, those that were present yesterday were delighted with the entertainment, and left very much impressed with the merits of the performers. Before departing the Rev. R. F. Maenicol moved a hearty vote of thanks to the manager, which was carried amid applause. The first concert of the series takes place on Monday evening next