THE BARNETT SOCIETY'S MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 168, 7 December 1896, Page 6

THE BARNETT SOCIETY'S MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

"HINEMOA" TO BE REPEATED. Altogether successful has heen the Musical Festival givjp by Mr. Manghan Baruett's Musical Society, held in the Exhibition. Concert-hall last week. The fourth and concluding performance, which took place on Saturday night, commenced with Mendelssohn's "Hear My Prayer," Madame Carlton ably taking the recitative and air, and the chorus, especially in the piano passages at the close, capably rendering their portion of the work. "Comala," that dramatic setting by Neils W. Gade lof a poem after Ossian, was the other work, given. Its many musical beauties, its vivid orchestral effects, its weird and powerful choruses, and the warlike rhythm pervading certain parts of the work were all happily treated under the baton of Mr. Maughan Barnett. Madame J Carllon, in the name part, did herself justice, and sang the solo, "0, were I Departed," with great expression and feeling. Mrs. Shortridge, the other soprano, made a favourable impression, her clear, sweet voice being eminently suited to the tuneful ballad " One Day there Came to Lochlan," the effect of which was much enhanced by the harp accompaniment played by Miss Constance Hatherley. MissParsons's fine contralto voice was not given much opportunity of display. Mr, Fred. Pop,o sang tho part of Fingal with powerful dramatic effect, though his tone was at times | not altogether trne, the final solo, "Let me Gaze on my Beloved," being his best piece of i work. Applause punctuated the performance , of the work, whilo proof of tho enthusiasm ' prevailing was shown by the numerous bouquets which were handed from audience I and chorus to Mr. Barnett during the evening. That a Society which has been only 16 months in existence could successfully carry out such a Festival as that of last week says much for the enthusiasm of members and conductor. At the conclusion of the I concert Mr. Barnett addressed a few words

of deserved congratulation to the members. During the evening Mr. S. Brown, President of the Exhibition, appeared on the platform, accompanied by Mr. W. H. Millward, and made a short" speech, in graceful terms thanking the Society for the excellent musical performance it had given. He also thanked all the ladies and gentlemen who had given their services for the opening ceremony, and especially those conductors -who had done so much to make that ceremony so successful. For the opening performance a cantata had been written and composed by two of our townsmen. (Applause.) lie eulosjised especially the services of Mr. A. P. Hill, the composer of " lliuenioa," and said that the old friends of that gentleman were going to rally round him before his departure, and tender Mr Hill a benefit performance of "Hinenioa." (Applause.) The Executive of the Exhibition would do all in its power to make that performance a success, and would give the use of the hall and all accessories 'to Mr. Hill for the 18th of December, when the work would be produced for the last time. He was sure that the friends of Mr. Hill in the chorus and orchestra would do their part, and the musiclovers of Wellington and the Exhibition authorities will do their best to make the 'flight of the 18th December a performance which would ever remain with Mr. Hill as a glowing memory of the appreciation felt for his talents by the citizens of Wellington. The applause given by the audience to these remarks will, we feel sure, find a response in the hearts of all lovers of music and appreciators of talent in this city, and we believe that the final performance of " Hinemoa " will in enthusiasm surpass even the two previous performances. As an antidote to the election excitement, a very large number of persons took a good, strong, and effective dose of the Exhib&on on Saturday. The building was thronged with sightseers both afternoon and evening. In the afternoon Mr. Seager's lantern views were yet again a fruitful source of enjoyment, and Mr. Bushby's Punch and Judy entertainment kept the young folk thoroughly amused from time to time. The Kineraatograph, under the management of Messrs. . Hausmann and Gow, was shown in the Hall of Mystery for the first time. By-the-bye, this hall is to be called in future "Edison's Electric Hall." The. pictures shown, though not as sharply defined as might be desirable, were much appreciated. They included a bathing scene, a "Butterfly" dance, boys coining out of school, | a scene from the play "The Milk-nhite Flag," a scene in the Great Western Railwaj' Station, and a serpentine dance with limelight effects. We understand that the slight defects noticeable in this first exhibition will be removed in future displays, and that by to-day's 'Frisco mail a number of interesting films have been received from Mr. Edison, and will be shown here for the first time. The Kinematograph is certain to be a big attraction. This evening, in the concert hall, Miss Beere's pupils will give an entertainment, I consisting of fancy dancing-. Mr, Cimino's orchestra will provide the instrumental interludes, and the programme of dances will include the following items: — Spanish cachucha, Moorish tambourine dance, old English minuet, Irish jig, skirt dance, a ribbon reel, and gavottes. It should — and we may say will — prove a most enjoyable entertainment, as Miss Beere's proficiency as an instructress is well known, and her young pupils have previously shown that her training has had the most pleasing results. His Excellency the Governor and a party from Government House will be present, and a numerous and fashionable audience Inay be anticipated with certainty. To-morrow evening the convent pupils give another of their attractive programmes. 1 Entries closed on Saturday evening last for the Cash Amateur cyclist meeting, to be held on the Exhibition Sports Ground next Saturday afternoon and evening l\o less than 130 entries were received from all parts of the colony, and there is also one from Sherwood, of Melbourne, who rode second to Parsons in the late great South Australian record event. These sports next Saturday will be a big feature and a great public attraction. The Executive Committee has granted the request of Mr K. Baunister, chairmauof the Sports Committee, for a sum of £120 to be expended on cycle race meetings, to take place between the 12th inst. and the sth January, on the Exhibition, Sports Ground. Cyclists will be furnished iiv due course with the intended programmes in plenty of time for training or necessary arrangements. Land Tax payers are reminded that the 10th inst. is the last day for payment of this year's Land Tax without the 10 per cent, being added. After the 10th all amounts 'outstanding will be increased by 10 per cent., in accordance with { the provisions of the Land and Income Assessment Act. A meeting of delcgatps from 13 different local bodies in the Wellington district to elect five Trustees of the / Benevolent Institution was held this afternoon, Mr. G. 11. Baylis in the chair. Tlio members elected were— Messrs. Baylis, C. T. • Browne, F. Bradey, S. Lancaster, and R. Mothes. The Wairarapa South County Council has elected Mr. W. Booth as its representative, the amount of its contribution entitling it to direct representation. Major Pole Pen ton, the new Commandant, has intimated his intention to attend the battalion parade of the Wellington Garrison to-night. This afternoon, 'in the Magistrate's Court, a man named John Gregg appeared to answer a charge of having stolen £7 from a country visitor named Geo. Campbell. The robbery is alleged to have taken place in a cab. The case is proceeding as wo go to pi-ess. ■ The Melanesian Bazaar at the Academyof Fine Arts closed on Saturday night, after a successful run of three days. The missions—home and foreign— fund will benefit to the extent of about £200, upwards of £100 being taken on election day alone. On Saturday evening Mr. L. Watkins gave a number of pianoforte selections, and songs siuig by well-known amateurs were greatly applauded. Messrs. F. B. Mnir, W. Castle! F. Castle, and FitzGerald, members of the Wellington Cycling Club, intend competing at the Napier bicycling meeting next Saturday. They have been very well treated by tho handicapped arid should give a good account of themselves. Members of the Wellington Rowing Club are reminded of the half-yearly general meeting of the club which takes place at the boathouse this evening. Tho Wellington branoh of the New Zealand Bible, Tract, and Book Society notifies the arrival of new books, including " Kate Carnegie and Theso Ministers," by lan Maclaren. Now that tho first rush of tho Exhibition is over, and tho majority have settlod, in their own mind at any rato, who they intend voting for, I would call our readers' attention to tho fact that Mr. C. Smith, tho Cash Draper. Cuba-street, will commence his annual distribution of Xmas presents to-morrow, when all cash buyers of 10s and over will receive a suitable Xmas gift, according to the value of their purohaso, on a very liboral scalo. All prizes und no blanks to cash buyers of 10s and over at C. Smith's, the Cash Draper. Cuba-street. — Advt.

HUME & SON