AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13651, 7 February 1910, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

ORGAN RECITAL. After so long an interval, it was with great pleasure that patrons of the municipal organ recitals availed themselves once more on Saturday of the opportunity oi hearing Dr. Bradshaw's artistic playing of the city organ. The programme selected was an excellent one, combining as it did varied styles of music by the different masters. Though the verdict of the audience was strongly in favour of the -William Tell" overture, the Wagnerian selection was undoubtedly the gem of the programme This was the introduction to the third act of -The Flying Dutchman,"' and the chorus of Norwegian sailors. Dr. Bradshaw infused into his 'interpretation of this the peculiarly weird character with which the composer has invested the whole of the music of the opera. The ••William Tell overture was finely played, particularly the storm and the charming ••Ran. do? Vaches." For an encore Dr. Bradshaw gave Schumann's lovely "Tr-tumerei," the charming restful melodiousness of which was a splendid foil to the brilliancy of the preceding number. Two nottcenhle items on the programme were the sketches by Schumann in F Minor and D Flat, the latter with its quaint tripping n elody being especially enjoyable. The peculiar virii? character which distinguishes Grieg's compositions was admirably brought out by Dr. Bradshaw iii "Solvieg's Song." Braga's 'Serenata'' has been heard here more than once, both in violin and in vocal solos, but the organ invested it with a dignity and breadth of melody which made it even more successful than it was on previous oceaMins. Thy wellknown Paderewski 'Minuet in G" was finely given, as was Brahms "Hungarian Dance in F Sharp Minor, which was encored, the latter portion being r?peated. Hollis's charming '"Spring Song" was another item which was admirably given. There was, it is pleasing to be able to record, a large attendance. Next Saturday, owing to the Besses o' th' Barn Band giving a matinee, there will be no recital.

HIS MAJESTY'S

The Pathe Pictures had an overflowing house on Saturday evening at His Majesty's, when an excellent new programme was presented. Two very fine scries stood out strongly, one a charming illustration of the beauties of "Rivat and Lake Garda," and the ether a splendid series of pictures of an Algerian stud of horses belonging to the French Army. Some of the animals of which pictures were given were splendid, "Redwing's Giatitude," an American Indian romantic story, was admirably acted, and equally good was "Lily Bolieme," a story of the Latin Quarter of Paris. The comedy pictures were exceedingly amusing, especially "The Dentist and the Art Collectors" and "A Pleasant Walk ' Altogether the programme is an exceedingly attractive ore.

FULLER'S PICTURES

The new programme of Fuller's Pictures at the Colosseum drew a large audience on Saturday night. The two intensely humorous series, "The Theatre Pass" and "The Cowboy Millionaire," elicited roars of laughter. The orchestral selections were much in advance alike in character and performance >f the usual picture music. To-night the same bill will be repeated.

OPERA HOUSE

The Empire Vaudeville Company's varied progra-nme attracted a large attendance at the Opera House on Saturday night. The different items were well received, and recalls were frequent. The Martin Sisters made their final appearance. To-night an ci'tire change of programme will be submitted. The Lewis Sisters, three serio-comics and sketch artists, will make their first appearance. Tom Armstrong and Priscilla Verne will give a new sketch and will sing "Come, be my Rainbow," a song that is all tbe ragin London. The other members of the company will also contribute fresh items.

MRS MEAD'S RECITAL

•Mrs Arthur Mead, a soprano, who has achieved considerable success in Wellington and elsewhere, will make her first appearance in Christchurch tonight. Mrs Mead's solos include "A fors c lvi" and "Se Saran Rose," with orchestral accompaniment, Chaminade's "L'Ete," and Mallinson's "A Message and a Song." The other items will be given by Miss Brenda Stock (of Dunedin) piano solo, Herr Zimmermann violin solos, and Mr Farquhar Younfr. vocal solos. The vocal solos will include Biumenthal's "Thy Foe," and the buffo song "Long Ago in Alcala." An orchestra under the oaten of Mr H. H. L-oughnan will contribute a couple ot selections. The plan of reserved seats is open at Messrs Milner and Thompson's.

BESSES O" TH' BARN BAND

The Besses o' th' Barn Band will arrive to-morrow from Dunedin by the first express, aiid commence, their tour .if the Dominion to-morrow evening at His Majesty's Theatre. They will be met at the station on arrival by the Executive of the South Island Bands' Association, the members of the Lancashire Society, and others At 6.45 p.m. the.Garrisbn_ Woolston, Elite, Derry's, Stanmore, and Ljttelton Marine Bands will muster at the Dominion Hotel and escort the Besses, via Colombo and Manchester streets, to His Majesty's. Here the visitors will be welcomod by the President of the South Island Bands' Association, Dr. Thacker. The sale of two shilling seats opens this morning at the Dresden. The opening programme is an attractive one, including solos by Mr E. P. Kerry on the euphonium, Mr E. Brightwell on the xylophone, and Mr W. Weedall on the trombone.

WILLIAM ANDERSONS DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Considerable interest attaches to Mr William Anderson's dramatic season, which will commence to-morrow evening at the Theatre Royal. The opening production is from the pen of that well-known English author, Walter Melville, and is entitled "The Great World of London." In the drama many exciting scenes are introduced, the most exciting being the munjer on the train whilst travelling at express speed. The box plan for the entire season is open at the Dresden.

FATHER O'SULLIVAN '6 LECTURES

Father O'Sullivan, who has just returned from a successful lecture tour of the West Coast, will lecture in the Institote Hall, Rangiora, this evening on "Egypt," and to-morrow evening on "Palestine," and on Thursday evening, in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, on "Ireland" and "Egypt." The illustrations will number several hundreds. Those of Ireland have been prononnced both in their selection and in their colouring and artistic finish to be- the best ever seen in this country.

THE CORNISH PIXIE

Tbe miniature representative of humanity known as the Cornish Pixie continues to attract numerous visitors to his r-neption3. on Saturday were largely attended. The receptionwill be continued to-day and to-morrow at tho usual hours.