CALEDONIAN CONCERT.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1898, Page 5

CALEDONIAN CONCERT.

• 1 good-sized Scottish audience, bubbling over with enthusiasm, attended the Caledonim concert in the Opera House last evenin.;:. The concert was one of the most en.oyable of its kind yet held in Wellington, an( was recognised by the audience accordingly, encores being exceptionally numerous. M ss Jeanne Ramsay was the most successful vocalist of the evening, her highty-cultured soprano voice being heard lirst in Mr. J. MGlashan's patriotic song " The Banner of Scotland" — a simple 33 r et tuneful melody, suug last night for the first time in public. Bowing her acknowledgment to the loud applause which followed would not satisfy the andience, a repetition of the last verse being insisted upon. Later in the evening Miss Eiimsay gave a tasteful interpretation of Glover's ".My am Native Heather," which s'.ie had to supplement with the quaintly humorous "There Grows a Bonny Briar Bush." The singing of Mr. TV. B. Paton was marked chiefly by the spirit and express on* which he infuses into his contributions, aud especially noticeable was this feature in "The Battle of Stirling," which was loudly encored, gthe patriotic " Bonnie Charlie" ji'beiug given in response. same singer, who was given a flattering reception, .was also encored for his later contribution, "O' a' the Airts the Wind can Blaw," Mr. T. Pringle sang with good effect Tannahill's "O, are ye Sleepin', Maggie ? " and was associated with Miss Ramsay in the popular old duet "Hunting-Tower" (Burns), part of which had to be repeated. Mr. Win. Turnbull was encored for his singing of " Scots wha hae," and added " Gae bring to me a pint o' wine." Several choruses were tunefully given by about a score of mixed voices, the first and last — " Bonnie Wood o' Craigie," and '''Bonnie Dundee" — being probably the best. The dancing of eight lads and lassies in Highland costume was one of the best enjoyed contributions to the programme. The first item was a Highland reel, and then a Reel o' Tulloch. Both were danced gracefully and with plenty of vivacity, the second dance rousing the audience to a pitch of enthusiasm, which was accentuated by the splendid manipulation of the pipes by Piper Campbell. Naturally, encores were insisted upon. Miss Cruickshank also had to repeat a prettily danced Highland fling. An orchestra, some thirty strong, conducted by Mr. M'Glashan (who also conducted the choruses), and led by Mr. R. Wighton, played three selections of Scotch airs, and though at first there was a slight unevenness it was soon overcome, and the numbers proved most enjoyable. The accompanists during the evening were Miss Upham, Mrs. Marshall, and Miss Hislop.