AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2704, 8 April 1874, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

CLADS-BEKEL CONCERTS.

The second concert given by Mdlle Claus, assisted by the other artistes, took place last eyehingat the Oddfellowß' Hall, and the improvement in the acoustic properties of the room made it even more enjoyable than the "first one—Which is saying a great deal. Before proceeding to notice the various items ■on the programme, we may be permitted to express our astonishment at the conduct of a portion s Qf the audience last evening. As a -rule Canterbury audiences are well-behaved, but- last night the abominable cat-calls and whistles indulged :iu was utterly and entirely disgraceful, and such as we hope will ,not again be indulged in. < Had the occupants of the gallery last evening been a lot o£ savages they could not have behaved themselves worse, and we hope for the honor of Canterbury that such a scene will riot again be repeated.

The programme comprised several items new to Christchurch, which were all excellently rendered. Mddle Claus in the first part, played a piece by that prince of violin composers Vieuxtemps, 'Air Varie,' splendidly. The brilliant crescendo passages with which the composition abounds were played by. Mdlle Claus with a taste and musical expression almost wondeifnl. The air, a simple theme but embellished and enriched with : beautiful and almost endless, variations, was rendered in a manner even exceeding Mdlle Claus' former triumphs. The slow movement particularly was splendidly played, the brilliant changes, of time being taken .with an,: ease and grace that showed alike thorough conception of .the idea of the composer, and execution of high order. In the second part Mdlle Claus played "Alia Madonna" by Leonard splendidly. The introduction, a pleading, prayerful melody, played with muted strings, was exquisitely' ren« dered, the deep pathos and religious feeling so ioarkedly pourtrayed by the composer in this piece being most artistically brought .but by Mdlle Claus in her solo. This totißtic piece of:playing was deservedly encored and responded to by Mdlle Claus v with i a brilliantly played "Saltarella" by Vieoxtemps, displaying thoroughly her command over the instrument and rapid execution. But, as on the previous evening, Mdlle Clans' great trinmph was in her fantasia on airs from " Traviata," which were really splendidly played. The

farltasia included " beaut if al aria ** Di provenza il mar," the pathos and beauty of which were fully'delineated by Mdlle Claus, and the joyous " Sempre Liberal" £' The; florid Variations wftK the eotapftser has enriched the airs of /.the. opera were played with grace and spirit by I Mdlle Claus and received a perfect ovation. j-i Mdlle Rekel,"who was in splendid Voice, sang a very pretty melody, " The lake/Mn a very artistic manner, the flowing melody of the piece being capitally given. In the wellknown from " Trovatore," " Ai Nostri Mortti,** she sang the music very sweetly and well. In the second part she gave a German lied with a very taking melody, and being encored, sang a pretty English ballad with a clearness and distinctness of enunciation which many of our amateurs would do Well to copy. As we have before said, Mdlle Bekel will prove a prime favourite with her audiences. ,M; Bekel played Beethoven's sonata in, G very artistically and quite confirmed the good opiuion we had previously formed of .'bis abilities as a pianist, and he was also good in the " Tarantella composed by himself*; Signor Cecchi sang iTito Mattel's: "Nan ever" very well, as he did the roman_a from "JLaFavorita" and the barcarolla from, "Dn .Balla"

Mr Winter's contributions to the , programme were all well sung and consisted of " Happy- be : . thj Dreams," ."■ My : Bretty Jane,'' and " The Newfoundland Dog." ~ The company perform again this eyenin g »t the Oddfellows' Hall when a good pro.gramme will be submitted. ,