THE CHRISTCHURCH LIEDERKRANZCHEN.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8589, 16 September 1893, Page 10

THE CHRISTCHURCH LIEDERKRANZCHEN.

The third "At Home" of the second season of the above took place yesterday in the V.M.C.A. Hall. The members of the "Song Wreath,'' as they are poetically named, are to be be congratulated on the progress made under Miss N. Gardner, the present conductress. The improvement in the production of voice and the volume of tone, particularly in the part songs, was very marked. There is ju3t a little matter which one suggests with fear and trembling as the only privileged male man present on the occasion, and that is that the stage at the back should be lined with Japanese screens so as to shield the light from tiie windows. At present it is perfectly impossible to see any one on the " platform, and though there is only one representative of the opposite sex to admire the pretty toilettes of the lady performers still his feelings and love for the beautiful are worth consideration. The opening part songs "Buzzing" and «' Waleriilics " went well, the voices being well balanced. Mrs J. Anderson sang the solo in the latter very uicely, and iv the former Misses Allen, L. Wood and B. Robinson, who were the soloists, deserve a word of praise. Roeckel's charming " Song without words" was nicely interpreted by Miss N. Gardner, the organ obligato by Miss C. Liivgard being very artistically played. A piano duct "Fiugal's Cave" afforded tho Misses Wood and C. Lingard an opportunity of displaying their power of execution, which was taken,ample advantage of. Miss Davie's sympathetic voice was heard to great advantage in Lord Henry Somerset's charming song, " A Song of Sleep." Miss Davie not only sings artistically, but infuses a pathos and sympathy iuto her singing which augurß well for her success as a vocalist. She was encored, the first ot the afternoon, and responded with '• My Am Countree," the quaint old style of which was reproduced with much fidelity. Marchelhs' " Aye Maria," in which Miss L. Wood sang the solo capitally, closed the first part of the programme. This was one of the most successful of the part songs. Tho second part opened with two part songs admirably sung, und then Miss Alice Watson sang Stepiien Adams' "The Holy City." This was very nicely given, the peculiarly devotional character of the song being most artistically brought out. Miss Lingard played tho organ obligato, and here it may be noted that in view of the lightness of the voices the introduction of the organ was a decided success. Mißs C. Lingard then played most brilliantly a Eiauo 8010 " The Chase." This youug lady as a crisp touch coupled with wonderful facility of execution. In response to an encore she gave a " Polka decoucert." Miss N. Gardner sang a Gorman song by M. V. White well, and "The song of the Liederkranzchen" closed a most enjoyable and really — musically speaking — Buccessf ul concert.