A MUSICAL TREAT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1040, 29 June 1894, Page 5

A MUSICAL TREAT.

"♦ CADZOW CONCERT PAETY. The concert given by the above company in M'Kenzie's Hall on Saturday and Sunday ] last' proved, as we expected they would, a vocal and instrumental treat of a very high order. Messrs Cadzow and Neill are well and favourably known in Balclutha both on and oil the stage, and a visit from, these gentlemen is always looked forward to with pleasure and interest ; and indeed it would seem that their voices are improving with age, for we have never heard them to so great advantage as on Saturday and Sunday last. Their rendering of tenor and baiitone duets could not be surpassed anywhere, and as soloists they must also be placed in the front rank. Mr W. B. Cadzow is without doubt the finest tenor vocalist in New Zealand, and indeed one of the best in Australasia. His contributions were : " On deck" {Jude), " The march of the Cameron men" (Dunn), "Angels ever bright and fair" (Handel), and " The star of Bethlehem " (Adams), aud we can safely say that such splendid vocalization has never been heard before in Balclutha, and those who missed it missed a rare treat. Mr Oadzow was ably supported by Mr Geo. Neill, who contributed two magnificent songs by Jude entitled " Deep in the mine " and " The mighty deep," and on Sunday "The better land " (Jude) and " Consider the lillies," which were given with fine effect, the solemn grandeur of the lower notes being a perfect revelation to the audience. Madame Cadzow and Miss Mabel Rolfe are new to Balclutha. Madame Cadzow is a brilliant solo pianist, aud, as a Northern contemporary truly says, added to this, which is of rare occurrence, a most sympathetic accompanist, and all lovers of good music and pianoforte students should not miss the treat and instructive lesson her visit affords. Madame Cadzow's unassuming manner, brilliant performances, and her entire absence of striving after effect commanded the immediate sympathy and admiration of the audience. Her contributions were "The harmonious blacksmith" (Handel), "Highland gems" (Pope), "Erin" (Benedict), and a pretty transcription of the popular hymn " Eock of Ages." Miss Mabel Rolf c is a mezzo-soprano of unusual power and sweetness, and sin^s with great expression. Miss Rolfe added considerably to the success of the concert. Her contributions were : "When the heart is young" (Ruck), "Killarney" (Balfe), " The Holy City" (Adams), and '-There's a green hill far away" (Gunod). Miss M'Neil, a local violinist, contributed two solos on Saturday night, and her brilliant and artistic playing was highly creditable to Balclutha and to herself as a performer. 0 The company also rendered several duets, trios, and jubilee hymns in a manner that delighted the audience and made them wish for more. We understand that Mr Cadzow has been prevailed upon by a number of leading residents to give another concert to-night, and as a visit from so refined and talented a company is like angel's visits, we hope to see the hall crowded to the doors to-night, and we feel sure it will be. To-night will positively be the last appearance of the company in Balclutha. The admission is 2s and Is.