ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 143, 16 December 1908, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. The magic entertainment provided by Messrs. Maskelyne and Devant at the Opera House is still a big "draw '' The programme is entertaining, frequently bewildering, and at all times at least puzzling. B6th "magicians" aro finished artists, and the same can be s n ''l of the other mer-Jiers of the company, who contribute to an excellent program^:. Thero will b~ r v >"ther performance to-:iight. "MISS LANCASHIRE, LIMITED." In spite of unfavourable w^tlier the performar>oe of the new comedy, "Miss Lancashire, Limited," attractrd another large audience to the The-dtrc Royal last evening. Miss Florence Bninc-5 was in her brightest mood, and from beginning to end of the play kept the house in roars of laughter. Her "laughing song" alone is worth going to hear. Tb~ season, so far, ha* been so sucer-r^ir that it has been decided to extend it to the end of the current week. ROYAL PICTURES. In the weekly cycle of pictures at his Majesty's Theatre Tuesday night rings out the old programme, Wednesday rings in the new. Last night there was a good attendance at the Royal Pictures to see the last of ' an excellent programme. To-night a new series of pictures will be presented. THE CHERNIAVSKIS. Too much importance can hardly be attached to the value of ensemble • playing in a thorough musical training. In the Cherniavski recitals we have concerted music at its best— every player is a soloist — and an equal responsibility is taken by each of the three performers. Last evening's concert rather tended to increase the reputation of the youthful artists. Their concerted pieces were the first movement of Beethoven's "Trio," the Hebrew melody "Kol Nidrei," and a Norwegian dance by Grieg. Mischel Cherniavski's cello solo ? descriptive melody, "Le Cygne" (SaintSaens). was played with svan-liko smoothness to an accompaniment that was an even stream of graceful legatemelody. His other item was "Am Springbrunnen " (Davidoff), and the encore number was " Papillons " (Popper) Leo Cherniavski, the violinist, played Schubert's "Aye Maria" and an "Etude de Caprice" by Paganini, which latter displays much of the uncanny genius of that giant of execution. He played, in response to a recall, a French minuet. At the piano Jan Chcrniavski seems to improve upon acquaintance. His "Rhapsody No. 6" (Lizst) was enthusiastically encored, and he replied with " Reverie " (Schutt). His accompaniments throughout the evening were of the highest order. He is never asetertive, yeb his skilful supporb is never found wanting. Madame Marie Hooton sang "Still wie die Nacht" by request, and received a bouquet from, one grateful patron on its conclusion. ■■The Barley Straw," "The Bailiff's Daughter," and "O, Can yo Sew Cushions," were her other numbers. Mr. Percival Driver's songs were Arditi's "Let mo Love Thee" and " Because." Thoy were given in his best form, and both singers met with the hearty appreciation of, the audience. The last recital of the season will be given by the youthful performers this afternoon at 3.30 o'clock. CHRISTMAS CAROLS. The first strains of the Cliristmas music were heard at the Town Hall last evening, when the Choral Society gave a concert composed almost entirely of carols. This class of music, with its old associations, is sung and appreciated all the world over, and the Choral Society is to be complimented on giving it such, an important position in its work of the year. Most of the carols were unaccompanied ; they included such familiar numbers as "A Child This Day is Born," "See amid the Winter Snow," with its contralto solo, "The First Noel," and several beautiful modern carols. The choir w r as well-balanced, and being responsive to the baton of Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, brought out the beauties of music admirably. In one or two numbers sung in a subdued voice, tht> harmonies resembled tht. tones of an oigan. This was particularly noticeable in "Sleep, Holy Babe," by Dykes, and "The Coventry Carol," harmonised* by J. Stainer. Interspersed with the carols were songs by Miss Mina Caldow, Mr. Egerton Pegg, a tenor, recently from the Old Country, and Mr. W. A. Robyns, bass, who recently took part in tho society's production of the "Messiah." Miss Caldow sang Allitsen's "The Lord is my Light," "Nearer, my God, to Thee," by Carey, and as an encore, "He Shall Feed His Flock," from tho "Messiah." Her singing was highly appreciated, especially in the Carey number. A very favourable impression was created by Mr. Egerton, Pegg, who has a pure, light voice of excellent range. His item was "If with all Your Hearts," from tho "Elijah," an encore being demanded. Mr. W. A. Robyns sang "Nazareth" and Frank Idle's "Ths Pilgrims of the Night," receiving recalls for both. The accompanist of the evening was Mr. Horace Hunt, Mus. Bac.