PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 143, 18 June 1923, Page 3

PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.

The outstanding items of the monthly programme of tlie 'Wellington Professional Orchestra, which gave its third recital of the current season at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, were the "Hiawatha" ballet music of CojeridgeTaylor, the Anglo-African composer who is principally famed for his negro melodies.: and Beethoven's "Egmont" overture. These wore only two of the selections, however, of ' a generous programme, and all were meritoriously performed, reflecting credit upon both the conductor (Mr. Frank Crowther) and his instrumentalists. Tho beauties .of the lighter themes of the ballet suite were admirably presented, and tho other movements of the work—particularly "The Marriage Feast" and the "Conjurer's Dar.ce"—were attacked spiritedly, Though not the grandest-production, of Beethoven's genius, the "Egmont" overture is a ■ very ■ admirable M'ork. which, like all his compositions, is of ever-changing interest. ; The, conclusion was triumphantly, rendered, and tho audience was thoroughly appreciative of the item. The beautiful . "Blue Danube" waltz, of' Johann Strauss, so captiyatingly played by the New South Wales State Orchestra during its visits to the Dominion, . was carefully- and artistically treated, as was also Jarnefelt's melodious ' "Praelndium." Tim concert commenced with Schubert"* well-known "Marche Militairti," and concluded with Svendsen's "Norwegian Carnival." A feature of the programme was the appearance, by courtesy of Mi-. Walter Fuller, of five members of-the Grand Opera Singers, who havn been a popular attraction at Hi 3 Majesty^ Theatre of lute. They were enthusiastically encored after singing "Hail, Bright Abode," from Wagner's opera, "Tarmhauser."