FAREWELL CONCERT TO REV. A. MITCHELL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 86, 13 April 1899, Page 12

FAREWELL CONCERT TO REV. A. MITCHELL.

The Choral Hall was crowded last night, the occasion being a grand, tarewill concert, tenderedby some oitne leading musicians of Auckland, to I\evA Mitchell, who has been appoint*^ to the charge of the ■ Coromandel district. The enthusiasm of the large ■ audience testified to their. hearty appreciation of Mr Mitchell's efforts d.tirino- his residence in Auckland in ±urthering the interests of good, music in the city. A very superior programme had been prepared, which wgs., successfully carried out, with the. omission of two items, viz., Mr Manning's song, who was unable to be present through illness, and the orchestral selection which headed the programme. Mr S. Jackson opened the concert with a clarionet solo 'Nocturne,' which was played with con-, eiderable ability. Miss U. Howard sang ' Mid the hush of the Corn ' with violin obligato by Miss Millie This number was greatly appreciated, • the singer, bowing . heir acknowledgments. Madam Chambers (Tendered that exquisite song of Cowey.'s 'Swallows,' and was deservedly' encore^, giving Tosti's 'Good-bye.' f The Eev. A. Mitchell, who was in: iaagnificent voice, sang ' The Steersman,' and in response to an encore gavr; ' The Coming of the King. Miss, Millie Peak played with considerabl/3 taste Mendelssohn's Violin Conce/rto, an 4 was loudly applauded. T&e /vocal duet '«O mayst Thou Dream/of Me,' by Mrs Coates and Mr Martin,; was one of the

gems of the evening. The second' part of the programn/e was opened by Mr A. Towsey, who />ave as an organ solo 'Allegro Vivace. (Jupiter Symphony). "Mr Towse//'s playing on this, as on every occasion, was a masterly performance. My a Coates sang with great; devotional fueling 'Ora Pro No- • bis,' )Mr. Towsey Accompanying on the. greftt organ. The ever popular vocal . trio from The Creation 'On Thee each Living Sot il. Awaits,' was well rendered by Madani Chambers,. Mr andHevi A. Mitchell. Mrs /IRead sang 'La Serenata' charmingly, /Miss Peak playing the obligate. "Mr / Ferriday ga\;e 'In Native t Worth' / .(Creation), And was very successful; The Key. /A. Mitchell followed with the recitative and1 aria 'Thus saith the Lord,' /and 'But who may abide' (Messiah), with fine declamatory force/and passion. Mr Mitchell excels /in his interpretation of oratorio muiic. Mr Cousins sang with great ta^te ' 0 Maris Stella,' 'and was very v/armly applauded. Mr A. Towsey Concluded a very interesting pro- / gramme by rendering with his usual /. ability 'Fantasia' ..(Storm, Batiste). / The proceeds of the concert have been handed over by the Key. A. Mitchell to the church funds.