WESTMINSTER ABBEY CONCERT PARTY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11571, 30 April 1903, Page 6

WESTMINSTER ABBEY CONCERT PARTY.

The second and last of the enjoyable concerts given by Mr Branseombe's combiitation nt the Canterbury Hall was, it was pleasing to see. largely attended, the Hall being) crowded to overflowing. The opening number, " Foresters Sound the Cheerful Horn," by the adult voices, was finely sung, the harmonies , being wel! ■brought, out. The voices of the boys, supported by those of the adults, were heard to great advantage in Sir Arthur Sullivan's pnrt song, "Oh Hush Thee-, iMyßabie,' , and, in response to an encore, they gave a, madrigal. "The Pleasant Days of Maie." Mr Coward chose the setting of Tom Moore's beautiful -words an "Oft in the Stilly Night," -which he pang with much artistio discrimination. For an encore he gave the well-known old English ballad, " Sally in Our Ally," which wa» also well given. In the old Scottish cradle- song, " Oh, can ye sew Cushions," which was purely a lullaby, Madame Hooton was very "good, and'in response to an eacore who*sang the old English ballad, "Barbara Allen." The tenor solo "Tears of Anguish." by Mr Branscombe, with vocal accompaniment, was noticeable for delicacy of treatment, and was deservedly encored. All the other items on the programme were also heartily applmided. The entertainment, which was -undeniably one of the finest of the kind given, ia Christchirrch, cuoeed with the singing of the "National Anthem."