AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 17, 20 January 1909, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

ROYAL WELSH M«,H! CHOIR. That fine body of singers, the Royal Welsh Male Choir, gave their second performance last night, which was attended by a large and enthusiastic audience at his Majesty's Theatre. A splendid collection of choral pieces was pressented, and the choir's singing of them so much pleased the audience that encores were demanded after each contribution. De Rille's fine chorus "The Destruction of Gaza," received a. magnificent delivery; the unisonal parts were delivered with the utmost precision and with fine tone quality, the tenors' falsetto was delightfully pure, and liquid in timbre; in the second change the voices in harmony produced a rich sound, and suitable expression was thrown into the singing of the difficult phrases; much vigour waff given to the third verse, the attack of the notes was crisp, and a splendid climax was obtained at the close. In response to a determined recall the choir gave a martial rendering of "March of the Men of Harlech." German's "Peaceful Night" was exquisitely renderd; the 'basses' sustained singing was delightful to listen to, the tone they produced was all that could be wished; especially pleasing was the way the inner parts were sung by the baritones and second tenors', while the whole composition was charmingly phrased. As an encore, the "Italian Salad" was given. Adams' "Comrades in Arms" was excellently delivered, the detached notes were rendered with decision, the basses' low notes were of delightful quality, and the tenors produced a fine volume in the part descriptive of battle; a hearty recall was accorded the singers at the conclusion, when they gave the hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee."

Ritz's "The Last Day of Pompeii" received a descriptive and highly enjoyable performance, and a spirited rendering was secured of Verdi's "The Bandit," while much tender feeling was displayed in the reading given of. the Welsh melody, "The Mother and Her Babe." Mr. David Daviee sang very successfully Handel's "The Lord' Worketh Wonders"; his runs in the aria were vocalised with ease and flexibility of voice, and hi» breath management was very good indeed. In reply a warm recall, he gave "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep." Mr. W. T. Jones received a double encore after his effective singing of Hughes' "Wings to Heavon," and he also gained a splendid success with Mr. Edvrards in O*aljfe> "Excelsior." Kunz*e "Sailor's Song," was admirably sung by the choir, and Mr. T. Lewis. Mr. A. Edwards was the recipient of a hearty encore after his expressive delivery of Adams' "Tbora. , " Danny's trio, "Fair Flora Decka," proved most interesting as' interpreted by the Royal Singers, wlio were honoured with a recall. The ' third concert will be given to-night. OPERA. HOUSE. There was another good audience at the Opera House last night, when an excellent selection of West's Pictures was shown. The programme is an excellent one, and among some particularly ' fine films may be mentioned "The Ascent of the Matterhorn," and the comic picture, "Beware of the Bull." The entertainment will- be, repeated to-night. THE ROYAL PICTURES. The Royal Pictures seeir "to hare, come to stay, if the large audiences that attend each evening at the Royal Albert I Hall are any criterion. Last sight the performance was highly appreciated, and the different scenic and dramatic pictures were followed with close interest, while the comic subjects provoked much, laughter. A GRAMAiFHONE RECITAL. The music-loving public will have an opportunity of hearing th£ voices of the finest artists in the workt to-morrow evening in the Federal Hall, when the Auxeto-Gramaphone will be played for the first time in the Dominion. Records by Melba, Tetrazzinl, Caruso, and Scotti are promised, and, by way of variation, records by celebrated concert singers, bands, and a song by Harry Lauder, the noted Scotch comedian, will be included. The Auxeto-Gramaphone is a recent invention of the Hon. Chas Parsons, of Turbine fame, and it is claimed that all metallic tone is eliminated in this in-, etTument. ADA CROSSLEY. Madame Croseley's return to New Zealand has proven one of the most notable musical events that has has happened for some considerable time, and her appearance here under the direction of J. C. Williamson at His Majesty's Theatre on Thursday next is being looked forward to with pleasure. Melbourne and Sydney critics declare the famous contralto to be in great form, and Jiei visit will be specially noteworthy from the fact that she brings with her a number of the world's most celebrated concert artists. Mr. John Harrison is regarded as England's greatest concert tenor. The baritone is Mr. Jay Ryan; he is a new artist from Kilkenny. Great interest has been everywhere displayed in the reappearance of the brilliant Australian pianist, Mr. Percy Grainger, and it is stated , that his playing has improved considerably, and he is now classed as one of the finest soloists in the world. Mr. Leon RainetinJ Is the violinist: he is a native of Holland. During his early career, his Qwen took a great interest In his musical education, and he at present uses a violin presented him by hi* 'Royal pntron. The accompanist is Mr. TToroM Whittle, who reppTitlv touTed with Madame Crossley. Three concerts are to Jw> given.

In the course of an interview in Dunedin yesterday, the Rev. W. Thomson, agent for the Licensed Victuallers' Association, expressed the opinion that the reforms proposed by the trade in Auckland were very irood. so far a= they go. He had held for several years that, provided the present barmaid' were justly dealt with. say. allowed four or five years' notice, the work cnulrl be much better done by men. and after that time he would employ no barmaid?. H> thought the a-je at which you'hs could be served with liquor in liotel? should be raised to 21 years, and remarked that the Otago Association a-ke.l for that when the 1904 Act was passed. The fault of youthful drunkenness lay largely with home life. He thought the p.rposa! that no woman should be served with drink for coneirumption in hotels, unless she was a lodger, was much too arbitrary and severe. ' , The postal and telegraphic revenue for ; the December quarter of 1908 shows an increase of £25,000 on that for the cor-' responding quarter of the previous year. The Prims Minister expects the revenue for tho year to be at least £800,000.