MARK HAMBOURG.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 166, 14 July 1903, Page 2

MARK HAMBOURG.

RECEIVED BY THE MUSICAL

SOCIETY

The visit of Mr. Mark Hambourg to Auckland was signalised by the Auckland Society of Musicians last night by their holding a reception in his honour at the Central Hotel. Mr. Mark Hambourg, Mr. Boris Hambourg and Mr. John 0 Lemmone (the director of the tour) conversed for a pleasant hour with the members of the society in the draw-ing-room, and thereafter the whole party repaired to the dining-room, where an elaborate supper was served. The menu card was inscribed, "Complimentary supper to Mark Hambourg, the worldfamous pianoforte genius, by the members of the Auckland Musical Society."

Those who were at the supper, in addition to the pianists' party, were Dr. W. E. Thomas, Mus. Doc. Oxon. (president), Messrs. A. Towsey (one of the oldest musicians in the colony), R. Leslie Hunt, G. A. Paque, M. Hamilton Hodges, W. H. Webbe, John Hartwell, A. Eady and Herr A. L. Kreutzer, Mesdames A. Boult and Wigmorc, Misses Moore-Jones, Webbe, Harrison, Stevenson, Law, Spooner and Bridgewater, and two pressmen. The toast of the evening was, of course, "Our Guests," which the president proposed in a few words, and the diners drank with enthusiasm. Mr. John Lemmone, in his reply, referred to the extreme cordiality of the party's reception,

and expressed his pleasure and surprise that so many of his friends of ten years ago had kept him in remembrance so long. Mr. Mark Hambourg, who made a pleasant little speech, also thanked Hie musicians for their brotherly welcome, and extended a hearty invitation to visit him if ever they should be in Europe. -Mr. 0. A. Paque. gave a hearty welcome to Mr. Boris Hambourg to the city on behalf of the 'cellists, and Mr. Hodges toasted the advance agent, Mr. M. Lichtenstein. Mr. A. Towsey referred to the fact that Mark Hambourg was the youngest man in the first rank of the pianists, and lie congratulated the members on his visit to the city. The remainder of the evening was spent in social conversation. The handsome menus were autographed by the visitors and carried away by the musicians as souvenirs of one, of the pleasantest evenings they had ever spent, as well as of the renowned pianist and his party.

Mr. .Mark llambour.fr and bis company appear at the Opera House to-night and the three following nights. The booking to date has been very satisfactory, and a successful season seems assured. It is unlikely that Mr. Hambourg will be in the colonies ajrain for many years to come, and those who wi>h to hear him should make a note of the fact.