ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 339, 28 October 1908, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WELLINGTON MUSICAL UNION CONCERT. Tho Wellington Musical Union gavo its third subscription concert at the Town Hall last evening before a largo audience, which showed overy satisfaction at tho interesting and generous programme provided. Tho Union jumped right out of its rut last evening to givo somo rarely-heard works or distinct morit, tho performance of which called for the art of 110 fewer than three conductors —Mr. Leslie Peck, of Wanganui; Mr. Tlios. E. Dunhill, tho visiting examiner of .the R.A.M.; and that veteran weilder of the baton, Mr. Robt. Parker, to whom tho public is largely indebted for tho innovations of last evening. The programme opened with Sir Charles Villiors Stanford s c boral setting of Tennyson's bracing poem, the Revenge," a composition of only moderate interest with here and there a flash of the poet's meaning, that solemn passage, for instance, where Sir Richard Grenville cried: "I have fought for Queen and Faith like a valiant man and hue; I have only done my duty as a man is bound With spirit I Sir Richard Grenville die! And he fell upon *heir decks, And he died." ' Tho choral weakness was in the male division, both basses and tenors being altogether inadequate to the work, a fact made the more noticeable by the sectional character of tho ballad, the composer having considered the effect gained by allotting certain lines exclusively either to one or other of the male divisions. Some of tho bravest lines were cast for the tenors, whose tone above li was sadly emaciated. The basses were not so bad, but' in their case . the quality was rough, and individual voices could be heard in the lead in place of good consolidated sound. Good work was done by a fresh-voiced bevy of sopranos, and the contraltos, except in one notable instance, sang well and truly. The orchestra was sound in the string division save for a "squeaker amonn- the first violins, the wood-winds sounded a little flat at first, but got up to pitch before Sir Richard died, and the old element of. uncertainty in tho French horns was detected on occasions. A delightful incursion into the unusual (with the Musical Union)' was the playing by Mr. Thos. K Dunhill, of London, of Greig's ' Concerto in A Minor," in which the orchestra did really good work under the baton of Mr. Leslie Peck. Mr. Dunhill is a pianist of parts. Added to a -polished execution, he has feeling, moderate power, and abandon, and he seemed to'thoroughly enjoy himself while ho delighted his audience. Greig is attractive ever. He has all the eermess and mild grace of tho Morse character, ,&ud the snatches of alluring melody that scintillates in the concerto makes it a popular work whenever played. Merging triumphant from hij digital task, Mr. Dunhill assumed the baton in the conduct of his own choral ballad "Tubal Cain," an orchestrated vocalisation of Gerald Massey's vigorous verses. The first verse swings along with a fine breezy rhythm that is delightful, which' is sacrificcd rather on the altar of interpretation in the two subsequent verses, but the ballad got* back to form .in the two concluding verses, the whole making an attractive number of undeniable . spirit and musical

merit. The vocalists of the evening were Miss Phoebe Parsons and Mr. Charles H. Stephens, the latter a recent arrival from Home. Miss Parsons * selected Beethoven's dramatic scena, "Ah, Perfido," and being in good voice did that exacting number fair justice. She excelled in the high declamatory passages, and lost tone below the clef. Mr. Stephens was the surprise of the evening. He is gifted with a light lyrical tenor, of peculiarly pleasant quality, and it was evident from the outset that his methods were those of the, best school. He' introduced himself in German, singing "Aus dcincn Augen" (Ries), and Henschel's "Morning Hymn," very sweetly. It was, however, in Sir Arthur Sullivan's charming song cycle," "Tho Window" or "The Songs of the Wrens" that he was cessful. These are a series of songs' written .by Tennyson ..at. Sullivan's request, and;,set to music in 1869-70. They were to have been illustrated by the late Sir John Millais, R.A., so that the work might form a' combined actuality of poetry, painting, and music, but the drawings unfortunately were never complete. The songs are called (a) "Gone," (b) "The' Letter," (c) "No Answer," (d) "Still no Answer," (e) "Tho Answer," (f) "When?" The lyrics' breathe simple sweet poesy, and there is.a delicato archness about Sullivan's settings that catch the fancy as prettily as they nave the poet's sentiment, and Mr. Stephens could not. have selected anything fitter to charm his audience, whioh' ho unquestionably did last evening.

"THE GREAT RESCUE." The end of the popular Bland Holt season is now within sight, the company making its farewell appearance on Friday evening. "The Great Rescue" attracted a crowded house last -evening, intending patrons having gathered at the Opera Houso doors before 6.30 o'clock. The framework of the drama is not above'the avoragej but it is sorved up in such a manner that one is apt to lose sight of this fact in the excellence of the staging and the 'dramatic story underlying tho whole. There is sensation' in plenty, and in this the audi- ' ence revelled. "The Great Rescue" will be repeated to-night, to-morrow night, and Friday. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The feast of picture at His Majesty's Theatre attracted a full house yesterday evening in ■the last'presentation of theipr.ogramme which has been running for the past, week. The management announce a complete change of programme for this evening. THEATRE ROYAL. ' The list of attractions at the Theatre Royal was further added to last night, when the audience was introduced to the "Lonely Isle of St. Kilda" and a sensational picture entitled "The Outlaw." The present programme is a _ strong one, and the excellent selection of pictures appears to be just what the public desires. . "MRS. WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH." There are managerial inspirations which are successful from the manager's, or financial, point of view; those which succeed artistically, and those which combine both these gratifying results. The importation to New Zealand by Mr. Williamson of the American company that will appea.r at the Opera House on Saturday next in "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" combines both of these satisfactory issues. In this homely comedy-drama the characters walk right out of the book, 1 and the people wo have become familiar with in Alice Heean Rice's story live and move and have their being before our very eyes. The "Mrs. Wiggs" of Miss Ada Dwyer is spoken of as the embodiment of humble heroism—optiniistie, helpful, and, above all, charitable, and winning instant appreciation by her transparent goodness of soul. The breath of popular applause has not tarnished the shining surface of "Mrs. Wiggs's" artistic triumph. It is said that she makes her points quietly, naturally, and effectively, nothing exaggerating nor setting down aught in ma.lice. Unusual interest is being evinced in tho production on Saturday, and on the box plan being opened to-day at the Dresden a heavy advance booking is expected. THE HELLERS. ' The Hellers, in presenting their famous entertainment to the public on Saturday next, after a lengthy interval, state that this mysterious and novel entertainment is one of the most interesting and fascinating seen for years. It is instructive to both young and old. It is fascinating by its variety of mirth, music, and mystery. Some of tho notable attractions Mr. Heller will present for his opening night will be " The Bridal Chamber/.' "Big Gun Practice," " Hellerism v. Spiritism," and Mrs. Heller's weird soninomosto exhibition. The box plan is open this morning at the Dresden music warehouse. A lecture on "The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Sailor's Life" will bo given by Mr. J. Moore on Friday next at 8 p.m., in aid of the alteration fund of the Missions to Seamen. Miss Christine Picot -will give a special recital.