PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 8, 10 July 1916, Page 3

PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.

The ■ Wellington, Professional Orchestra gave another of its interesting performances at His Majesty's ; Theatre last night, in the presence of a crowded audience of subscribers and the general public. The programme was of a popular and generally satisfying character, comprising works well within the understaaiding of the dilletante musician, and at the same time pleasing to the more exacting music-lover. Chief amongst the .selections must be named a. very fine .fantasia upon melodies from Verdi's opera of '*Otello," full of picturesque tone-colouring, and the Prelude to ,Gior,dano's opera of, "Siberia." The latter is 8- composition of no great length, heralding • a touching banishment scene on the Russo-Siberian border, and coataining a wealth of weird but .effective discords, .artistically worked out for the principal instruments of the band. Both were admirably played, manifestly with enthusiasm on the part of the musicians, and did credit to .all divisions of the forces. Tschaikowsky's "Casse Noisette" suite (four movements, the March, Russian .and Chinese 'Dances, and Vaise dcs Fleurs) was also capitally done, and was another gem of the programme. More familiar were the Overture to "Mignon," Rubinstein's Melodic in F, and the brisk Overture' to "Zampa," all performed well!up to the orchestra's standard. Mr Herbert Bloy conducted, with excellent control of his resources'. The next concert will be given on the 6th August. .