AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11916, 10 June 1904, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

MRS BURNS'S COMPLIMENTARY . CONCERT. The complimentary concert grroi last night in the Canterbury Hall to Mrs Gower Bums was a sincere testimony on tlie part of the citizens of Christchurch to tho unselfish work done by Mrs Burns in connection with a number of charitoblo objects. From this point of view it wea most' satisfactory to see tbe large attendance, but it was also a matter for congratulation that > artistically, Mrs BnxnarY talent was also recognised. Without doubt Mrs Burns is the best soprano m the colony, and last night a magnificent response was made to the appeal to recognise her artistic merits. Why the Musical Union, with a soprano of Mrs Burnafs abilities should go afield for one to take part in their semi-festival, is quite unexplainable. Tlie programme for the concert last night was diversified, as might have been expected from tho offers received by tho committee, as a whole it was one of the best wo have had here for a long while. The orchestra of the Musical Union opened the programme with Keler Bela's Hungarian Dance, which was described on the programme as a "Comet Dance." The somewhat erratio interpretation fuHv justified the name of the item. The "Chant Sans Parole," which was the bracketted number, was well given. Mrs l>unis sang the great aria, "Roberto o tv che adoro," with o. most artietio idea of the dramatic conception of the composer. It was given with great power and force, and fully deserved the enthusiastic encore which it aroused. The encore nuiiber, Ganz's florid "Sing Sweet Bird' « eung with great success. All the run? mid trills which ore the features of the nuui. her were given with much brilliancy. Mrs Ernest Barber gave LSddle's "Home Song" with mmju eucceiss as to cause a feeling of regret that she is not heard more frequently on our concert platforms. In place of Mr Bowring, who was absent from illness, Mr Hugh Reeves sang "Let Mc Love Thee" well. Mr Wallace played as a violin' solo two movements from a suite in G minor, by Reds, in which the Gavotte was brilliantly played. For an encore he gave " Badone," by Gabriel Marie. Mr.* Bums | and Mrs Wilson sang a couple of duets well, and for on encoro repeated tho Inst " Nearest and Dearest." In tho second ; part Messrs Oookson, Vincent, March and Milkr sang "Hail, Smib'ng Morn" ©x- i oellently, and for an encore " When Evening's Twilight," the latter of which was \ sung splendidly. Mrs Burns sang "Be-.i cause of Thee" well, and then gave what \ was really the gem of a most, enjoyable concert,', Arditi's wait* song, *' II BacJo." : In this Mrs Burns was heard to the greatest advantage. The flexibility of her voice came out most strongly. Sir Millar's dramatic bass voioe' was heard to advantage in "Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind," which he sang most artistically. Mrs F. M. B. Fisher gave "Slave Song" excellently, and responded to an encore with "HI Were King." Mr March sang " A World of Praise" with much success. "The Daisy Chain," which was given some little time ago, was repeated very successfully by Mrs Burns, Miss Graham, Messrs j Collier and Hugh .Reeves. A presentation of a beautifully bound copy of the programme printed on silk was made to Mrs Burns by Dr. Crooke, and several floral tributes were also added to the general "commendations of our popular soprano. The' accompaniments were played by Mrs Smith, Misses Black and K. Young, end Dr. Orooke. operJThouse. Tbe Fuller's Entertainers repeated their programme last night'at the Opera House, when there was a good audience. They' will appear again this evening. j i THE COLOSSEUM. The Rink continues >to attract large audiences. It will be open to-day at the u*ual hours, and in the evening a mile ckating race will take place, commencing ai 8.30 p.ni. '.'.' Tlie Rhik will ;be'" h closed from Tuesday for a week,, owing .to the Poultry Club "holding their show $_•'.'. the building. ' ■ '■. ■ '.\ ,' v ' -v'-Oj