THE ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1906, Page 4

THE ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

The Orchestral concert last night was largely attended, and tho audience had again an opportunity of listening to excellent music, and realising tne advantage to the town of having -a Society that has not only stuck together for years, but has gone on improving and now renders tlio various numbers in a manner worthy of a professional orchestra. There is an absence of nervous haste so noticeablo in tho earlier stages of the Society's history, while the "music is faced" with that confidence that denotes proficiency. The orchestral parts opened with Scotson Clarke's spirited Flambeau March, rendered as the composer , desired. Tho selections from "Pinafore," ever familiar to the ear, were rendered charmingly, and all tho more, appreciated because tho audience knew tho musical story. So with tho selections from "Olivette"—bright sparkling, tuneful—they recalled to mind tho sprightly figures and picturesque groups of the charming opera, and gave the audience much pleasure in listening to the enchanting strains. The careful rehearsal of tho somewhat difficult "Fra Diavolo" was apparent from tho free and correct rendering. A violin solo by Mr S. Hayes was much appreciated and heartily applauded. Mr Hayes is a master of tho instrument. The Society are to bo congratulated on having two such finished performers as .Messrs Apted and Hayes. Mr K. S. Dillon was in capital voice singing

"Let me Love thee" in admirable and pleasing manner. Mrs Absalom's "La Seranata" was a very pleasant surprise, and met with a warm and hearty reception. The clarionet solo from

"II Trovatorc" by Master Eric Moss was one of the items of tho evening. The whole of the family aro musical, but "the old man" will havo to look well to his laurels is ho wishes to keep up with the younger Moss's. Young Eric did ample justice to tho selection. .Miss Rosabel Weber's singing of "Sing Sweet Bird" was charming and delighted the audience.

"Will o' the Wisp" was grandly rendered by air aioss, and was enthusiastically received by the audience, who acknowledged his success in the particular solo, as also his efforts in keeping an excellent orchestral society together. Before tho National Anthem was sung, air aioss, in thanking (ho audience for their attendance, and general support, referred in very feeling terms to the sad death of their late member, "Wallie" Cocks, whose tragic end came as such a shock to the public of Greymouth. The Society and its conductor are to be complimented upon tho success of the first concert of the 1906 season.