TOWN HALL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 64, 17 March 1910, Page 2

TOWN HALL.

BESSES O1O 1 TH' BARN BAND. Three years ago the music lovers of Wellington heard the world-famous Besses o' th' Barn Band, and since then they have heard no other — equal to it. Most probably this is because there is no other band exactly such wonderful raisic-makers in "sounding brass or ti:;kliiiK cymbal." Last evening thero was a large crowd — not so numerous as it mieht have been — at the Town Hall to give a warm welcome to Mr. Alex. Owen aud his instrumentalists. The band began with an arrangement by Mr. Owen of Meyerbeer's March, "Schiller," a pieco redolent with striking passages, through which ran a theme, gentle and tuneful. It is a work of striking contrast and ringing phrases, and as the cornets led tho way shrilling clarion-like in the van, the music strongly suggested ounlil streets and crowded cheering walls. Tho finale was one thunder of melody that roused the audience electrically. Followed Suppe's well-known "Poet and Peasant," familiar to all misses and their musicians. The light interludes of fairy-music, the thrilling descent and ascent of the scale, wherein every note and gradation was clearly and truly emphasised, the pianissimo cadences, were handled in such a manner as could only he expected from experts. The tenor solo stood out prominently in t.his selection. As an encore the band gave "Ilock of Ages," and the old hymn took on a more impressive aspect than ever. The cornet solo of Mr. W. Ryder was one of the best items of th-j evening's entertainment. The solo was Hartmann's "Arbucklenian," and Mr. Ryder demonstrated tone, technique, and sympathy at onco remarkable and impressive. The encore number was Tosti's "Good-bye," the song in itself a poor tort of business. A selection from llossini's Works was a fine offort, ccucuding with the popular "William Tell" overture, or part of it. Mr. E. P. Kerry shows what the euphonium is really capable of, and is easily the finest instrumentalist of this kind yet heard in Wellington. Ho obtains wonderful effects from his instrument, whilb his tone is astounclini;!y rich and mellow, even iv the lowest register. A selection from Verdi's "II Trovatore" made up another popular item, the melodious airs being finely interpreted. The rendition of Handel's "The Harmonious Blackcmith" was enthusiastically applauded. Another interesting number was the song "The .Village Blacksmith," in which the brass, without any suggestion of brussiuess, brought out tho light and shade of a good song. The performance concluded with a fantasia of National Airs and the National Anthem. To-night the band will present a new programme, including tho intermezzo from Wagner's "Flying Dutchman." TH EATRE ROYAL. Tho chief feature in the Fuller vaudeville bill at the Theatre Royal is Hassan, tho Indian Magician. He continues to nightly mystify large audiences, who are duly impressed with the extraordinary feat of lifting a block of concrete with his eyelid. The Klimos occupy a strong position in the bill, and Ward Lear and other artists contribute to a most enjoyable, entertainment. STAR PICTURES. Tho Star Picture*, exhibiting at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, were well patronised last evening. The series illustrating the "Cruise of a Tiawlcr iv Ihe White. Sea" were greatly admired. Boy Scouts wore not forgotten in the programme, which contained illustrations of the adventures of one of their number. The pictures will be repeated this evcuing. WONDERLAND. Wonderland, at Mifamar, was again open to the public yesterday evening. Tho weather was fine, and the illuminations came in for much admiration. Wonderland will be open on Saturday. MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. Men of the Royal Navy and Mercantile? Marino in .port were '■ ntert(u.i?d at the Missions to Seamen last evening, when Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Hislop provided an enjoyable conceit. Those who contributed items were Mr. J. Jku.c, missioner (who presided), Messrs. Howoll, Hislop, Clark, Johnson, Misses O'Donovan, Rom>, Dull, and Mrs. Bourke. Several popular choiuses were sung by the audience. A conundrum competition was won by sailors from shipfa in port. The missioner delivered a temperance address. EVENING EXCURSION. The excursion to Day's Bay to-nior-row evening with tho men-o'-warsmen should attract a large number across the harbour. The programme is described as a novel one, and in addition to H.M.S. Powerful's band, items will be given by men from the various ships. Tho performance will conclude with a dance. The s.s. Duchess will leave town at 7.30 p.m. sharp, returning from the Bay at 10.30 o'clock. Counter attractions being numerous last evening, the vaudeville entertainment which was to have been given in St. Paul's Schoolroom by the People's Entertainers was postponed till Wednesday week.