THE IRISH CONCERT
! If Si. Patrick, looking down upon Dun- •' odin yesterday, thought his memory .slighted in the matter of flags find badges find other symbols of rejoicing, ho would, a.s the gentleman who came of decent ] eople, be quite ready to accept as repara--1 ion the- national entertainment given at the Garrieon Hall in the evening. The entertainment was well managed by MrE. W. .Spain and his colleagues; it brought to the from several of our most accomplished performers ; and their contributions to the programme enlivened the love of Ireland and Irish music, leading the largo asscmblage to many outbursts of fervent find patriotic applause. Tlie concert opened with a edition by the Kaikorai Band, conducted by Mr ft. B. l.aidlaw, the piece chosen being Xcwinn's well-known arrangement of Irish airs, of which 'Oft in the si illy night' may be mentioned a.s an example of artistic interpretation, and 'Tramp, (ramp' a.s the stirring item, especially in the passage, where die cornets and trombones arc in unison. At a mixed concert a band performance in often regarded as of u preliminary or iilling-up nature, But this was not "a" band performance. It was a performance by "the" band of tho South Island—a band that can do the very best work within the range ol hrass-T-and the people, recognising the item as unusually meritorioius, paid the Kaiknrais flu; compliment of an encore, which was answered by giving Ord Hume's 'Twentieth Century March,' heard by many present for the first time. Mr Ja.s. Jago had a cordial reception when he came on to sing 'The minstrel boy,' and, though a little thick in the voice, he delighted all present by importing into this old eong the idea of making the story prominent. This was done by kinging the song slower than usual, and' giving" the words their weight. Mr Jago is to 1m; thanked for his leally artistic and fresh interpretation. His encoie song, ' Avourneen,' does r.ot provide so much scope for the singer, but lie sang it well. Mrs Hudson, who followed, sang 'The last rose of summer' just as if ought to lx> sung—ar< a soliloquy, not i ar> a vehicle for showing off the voice. The | vocalisation was singularly June, also I sweet, using that word in its strict musical meaning, and not implying mere sugariness. An encore being demanded, Mrs Hudson came back and gave a .sympathetic rendering ot 'Killaniey.' Mr J. H. Brcnnan added to his fame as a reciter by giving willi judicious point Mclh. B. Spurr's 'Continued in Our Next,'and, being compelled to reapjH-ar. Mr Brennan iaither favored the audience by reciting 'Coming Home,' : n 'his displaying good taste by keeping the affectation of tipsiness within bounds. In the days to come Mr Brennan will be .1 front-rank man if he goes on cultivating his gifts as a reciter. Miss Violet M'lntosh wing 'Kathleen Mavottrncen' in a mos-t conricientious manner, and then, in 'The sleepy song,' revealed her artistic powers. Then we had Mr J. M'ftrafh with a fervid and dramatic rendering of 'Tho wearing of the green' that roused the audience to enthusiasm and secured the basso's further appearance. As a wind-up to the first part St. Joseph's Cathodial choir, conducted by Mr Vail]is, .sung the prayer from Rossini's ' Moses in Egypt.' The .second part brought on the same performers again, and those persons who stayed to the end say that (lie concert kept its merit right through. The duties of accompanist were shared by Mrs J. Woods and Mr Vallis.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Star, Issue 14319, 18 March 1910, Page 3
Word Count
588THE IRISH CONCERT Evening Star, Issue 14319, 18 March 1910, Page 3
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