ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 135, 8 June 1906, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

THE MUSICAL UNION'S CONCERT-. The first subscription concert of the 1906 Season was given by the Wellingtori Musical Union last night in tho Town Hall, and proved wholly successful and enjoyable from the musical point of view, ihe subscribers attended in force, the .gallery being well filled, but there was very poor patronage from ths public in the downstairs portion of the House. ' The conceit was excellently managed, and closed in modal time — 10 p.m. The chief item on a 1 well-arranged programme was t)r. Cowen's setting of Cowper's classical humorous ballad of tho misadventures of John Gilpin, eet in the form of a choral ballad. Everyone knows the familiar opening of tho story-* "John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke wa» he Ot famous London town." After v. few bars ot introduction played by the orchestra, the basses open the ballad with -the linba above quoted. It may be noted here that throughout the piece the basses took their part as seriously ad John Gilpin's self. Sopranos, tenors, altos, and even the hard-working instrumentalists enjoyed the humour of the story — but the basses, although they sang well, presented a stem face to- tho world. This, however^ was but a passing phase in :t diverting and delightful work. The Must part of thcHjullad was particularly brightly rendered, and tho very velocity ot the second part carried it along with a success which aroused enthusiasm. The soplv.nos, who had been in good voice throughout the evening, shared the honours ol the production of "John Gilpin" with the orchestra ; aud Mr. Robni't Parker was a host in himself in conducting the quaint and melodious composition. It is to be hoped that the union will repeat "John Gilpin," which occupies only twenty minutes in its production. Other contributions during the evening by the chorus and orchestra in combination were tho choral epilogue, "It Come 3 fruin tlits Misty Ages," from Elgar's. "The Banner of Sc. George," which was as successfully given as previously, and a part-song, the Coronach from Macfnrrdn's setting of Scott's "The Lady of the Lake." This latter item, the organ accompaniment to which was played by Mr. Cyril Towsey, was given a dignified interpietation, and was well sung. Madame Emily Briggs, a recent arrival from London and a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music, was the vocalist of the evening, and made a most successful debut in Wellington. Her first song was the Bach-Gounod "Avo Maria," and the vocalist was sympathetically assisted by Miss Grace Kennedy's violin obligato. There was an enthusiastic demand for a repetition, and the singer responded with Temple's sprightly song, "Spring's the Time of Love." In the second portion of the programme Madame Briggs sang Ganz's well-known Song for 6opranos, "Sing, Sweet Bird," and was again so facilo and pleasing in her vocalisation that an encOre was insisted upon. A melodious Clutsam brevity, "I Know a Lovely Garden," was the response. Madame Briggs has a good presence, an easy and unaffected style, a sweet, strong, clear voice of good range, and she ha* her voice under perfect control. She has exceptional power of expression, also, and her enunciation is pleasantly distinct. She hit the popular taste immediately last night, and each successive song deepened the first impression. Yeoman service was done throughout th© evening by the orchestra, which waa oympathetic in its accompanying work, and generally successful in its own special contributions. Tho concert was opened with the melodious Overture to Mendelssohn's "Buy Bias," and the second portion of the programme began with four selections from Tchaikowsky's orchestral suite, "Casse-Noisette" (the Nutcracker). Tho orchestra also played, in excellent taste, two Elgar compositions as striking in their contrast as^the names imply — "Chanson de Nuit" and "Chanson do Matin." Mr. Robert Parker was tl»o conductor throughout the Defining, and Mr. Cyril Toweoy was at the piano. The business arrangements o* tho concert were carried out by Messrs. A. M. Lewis (secretary) and T. Forsyth (treasurer). "SINBAD THE SAILOR." "Sinbad the Sailor," one of the most interesting and diverting entertainments that has been produced in Wellington for a long time, attracted another large audionc© to tho Opera House last evening The merit ot the performers and the stage ' effects are features ■of the piece, which is to be repeated to-night, to-morrow afternoon, and to-morrow night. On Monday and Tuesday nights tho company will provide an entertainment in which tho different members will be seen in new roles. THEATRE ROYAL. Nigntly thd Fuller Company plays to good houses. Last evening tho public assembled in force afc tho Theatre Royal, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the vaudeville entertainment The Ell-

woods, a trio of young musicians, will open a farewell season to-night. Tomorrow th© programm© will be entirely changed. Favourite performers appearing now will have fresh "turns," and the company will be reinforced by an aerial artist (Miss Gertrude Emery) and a contortionist (Mr. Charles Haye3). MR. LEMARE'S FAREWELL RECITAL. This evening Mr. Edwin Lemare, whoso recitals on the organ in the Town Hall havo given so much pleasure to large gatherings of citizens, is to give his farewell performance, as he leave* for the South and Australia, to-morrow evening. To-night's programme will not only include new selections, from the works of Bach, Humperdinck, Wheeldcn, Wagner, and from the organist's own repertoire, but it is Mr. Lemaro's intention to again play Lemmen3's remarkable Fantasia, on a Storm, and the organist's wonderful • transcription of Wagner's "Ride of the .Valkyries." Both these latter selections created quite a furore when previously played bjr Mr. Xemare. By special request, he will also repeat a number of other popular pieces, including tho overture to 'William Tell."' The full programme is published in another column. As a very large audience is expected for this final recital, the doors of the Town Hall are to be opened at 7 o'clock. TE RANGI PAI SACRED RECITAL. All arrangements arc now completed for the sacred Tecital in the Town Hall on Sunday evening next. The programme, which has been specially prepared by To Rangi Pai, is an attractive one and will be published in to-movrow's issue. Te Rangi Pai will be supported by Mr. W. B. Cadzow (tenor), Mr. Handley Wells (basso), Mr. Harry Tombs (violin), Mr. A. J. Wicks (piano), and Mr. Cyril Towsey (organ). Te Rangi Pai-has just completed a mosfl Successful tour of the larg© towns of .New Zealand. Sunday, evening's sacred recital will be her farewell appearance for some tims. Th© weekly meeting of the Wesleyan Literary and Debating Society was held in Wesley Hall, Taranaki-street, last evening. The Rev. P. W. Fniiclough presided, and there was a good attendance A debate was held on the question : "Which has the greater influence on a man's character, heredity or environment?" Mr. E. L. Burge&s opened in favour of heredity and Mr. J. H. Helliwell followed withan exhaustive discourse in favour of environment. After a lively discussion the chairman summed up; Messrs Ilelliwell and Burgsss replying, and on a vote being taken a large majority declared in favour cf> environment. There will be a lecture next Thursday by the' Rev P. W. Fiurclough on "Are ths Planets Inhabited?" The "Wellington Choral Society will this evening hold a full rehearsal of the. oratorio "Samson," which it is to produco at the Town Hal) at an early date. The members of the chorus aro requested to attend at St. John's Schoolroom at 7.30 o'clock, and the orchestra at 8 o'clock. The box plan was opened at the Dresden this morning. / Last night the Rev. J. Cocker lectured in the Island Bay Primitive Methodist Church on "Peter Mackenzie, the Qreathcart of Methodism," and for an hour and a-half entertained his audience by a description of the popular- subject of the lecture. The lecture was divided into, two parts, the first being biographical and the second descriptive of Mackenzie and the characteristics which made him so popular It was shown that during his lecturing days 'be travelled 360,000 miles, and by his lectures raised £120,0"00 on behalf of church funds. The lecture was greatly enjoyed by the audience, and on the mption of Mr. Prince, seconded by Mr. J. Reid, a hen-fey vote of thanks was accorded/ Mr. Herron presided. Xast night's rough weather seriously affected the attendance at the sale o*f work held in St. James's Schoolroom, Newtown, in aid of the building fund of the Young Men's Bible Class. The Quadrille Assembly of tho Tramway Band had a successful dance in Victoria Hall last night, oveT 100 couphs being present.