SUNDAY CONCERTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 215, 5 June 1919, Page 6

SUNDAY CONCERTS

Sir,—The attention of the public has been drawn to tho length to which the Sunday evenings are being used for aioney-makiug purposes by concert promoters. When Sunday entertainments were first initiated some sis or seven years ago they were not promoted with tho sordid ond in view that now prevail > they were usually sacred concerts, designed to give rational musical entertainment to tho public after church hours. But what has been tho result? There, has been an insidious development, until now tho Sunday concert differs in nothing from that given on week nights, ana the hoodwinked Town Clerk allows practically any kind of song to be sung, and I am sure does not trouble,his head to censor programmes (if he is ever called upon to do so). It has surprised many that Mr. Luke has shut his eyes to the trend which has made Sunday evening (when other businesses have to be closed) a business night to concert promoters. As to the programmes, which wero originally to be sacred or of a sacred character, those who attend havo heard every kind of ballad and operatio song trolled forth. "The Toreador" has been bawled, sensuous love songs are welcomed, and on Sunday last I note that a programme included "My Hero," from "The Chocolate Soldier," and "II Bacio' ("The Kiss"); nnd so it goes on. Now nearly every theatre every Sunday night is givou over to purely secular concerts, a thing, Mr. Mayor, not permitted in the othor centres of New Zealand—it is peculiar to Wellington, which appear* to bo afflicted with a lot of money-grub-bing bands. We have a fine organ v. the Town Hall and an organist, hut there arc never organ recitals on Sunday evenings or afternoons. Oh, no, they pro held on Saturday ovenings before large audiences of empty chairs. If they wero held on Sunday evenings there would at least be someone there to listen to Mr. Page's "highbrow.' recitals. In the meantime we- drift towards the Continental Sabbath, and, at the risk of being dubbed n "wowser," I confess that the prospect does not pleaso me.—l am, etc., B SHARP.