A GOOD CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 56, 29 November 1917, Page 7

A GOOD CONCERT

FOR FRENCH BED CROSS FUNDS,

The Concert Chamber was well filled last evening when a entertainment was given by the Cercle Francais in aid of tho funds of tho French Red Cross. The programme was initiated by an overture, very attractively played by a string orchestra under the direction of Miss Grace Kennedy. A pleasing feature of the playing was the admirable_ bowing, which is such a feature invariably with French orchestras. Evidently the spirit of-the.evening had infected the players. A spectacular feature was tho tableau, "Tho Marsellaise," represented by the central figure of "Liberte," supported by her sisters, "Equalite" and "Fratemite" with little , children advancing on tho group as though to seek succour and strength from the three great ruling principles of: French national lifo. The tableau, which was arranged by Mrs. G. A. Hannah, was received with much "bis." Miss R. Van Staveren sang the solo. Tiny Miss Beere (niece ol her instructress) did a rollicking Irish jig with pretty childish abandon, and had to respond to an encore. Mr. C. F. Ballam gave a comio monqloguo in French very cleverly, and Miss Rosa Van Staveren sang 'The Jewel Song," from ''Faust," an operatic number that calls for Bpecial qualities both vocal-and dramatic. Mr. H. Hodges sang French ballads very tastefully, and Mr. and Mrs. Culford Bell appeared in the ' comedietta "Oh, Dick," in which their acting was much admired. In the second half Mr. Hodges gave a line -exposition of the "Chanson Bacchic" from Ambroise Thomas's opera "Hamlet," which will bear repetition. As an encore he sang some tender little couplets written ever so delicately by that gifted lyrist Verlaine. Miss Haines swung the electric clubs with rhythmical grace and infinite variety of movement, the red ribbons of light made by the whirling ruby globes cutting beautiful designs against a background of darkness. Miss Van Staveren and Mr. C. Moore sang a couple of duets in a pleasing manner, and asextette'of light-footed girls, like so many Harlequins, daLced a giddy measure with a certain freedom of action. A surprise was provided in Mrs. Melvin, the possessor of a reimarkably free and powerful mezzo voice. She has some wonderfully fine notes, but her production was not flawless. The voice is a fine organ, capable of great development. Mrs. Melvin sang L'Arditi's "II Bacio," and another florid, "waltz song. It. would be interesting to hear Mrs. Melvin in well-studied ballads. During the interval the gold and silver medals won in tho school children's competition in French were presented by Captain Barclay, who, in handing over the trophies, accompanied' each with a '.graceful littlo speech in French. Miss Audrey Haverson was the winner of the gold medal, and Mr. Harold O'Connor of the silver medal, whilst a certificate was presented to the runner-up, Miss Eileen At-

kinson. Captain Barclay mentioned that in the year when the cercle first offered the medals there were eight contestants; this year there had been sixty. (Applause.) That he took to be proof that the cercle was doing somo little good.