ST. PATRICK’S CONCERT

Grey River Argus, 16 March 1932, Page 4

ST. PATRICK’S CONCERT

AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. The annual St. Patrick - Irish Concert in the Town Hall la.-t evening proved an outstanding artistic success, and if the frequent and prolonged applause can be taken as any criterion, the capacity house fully appreciated the excellence of the musical fare provided. The visiting artists, Miss Mib licent O’Grady and Mr W. Toomey, of Christchurch, both received enthusiastic receptions, and fully came up to expectations, while the perform ances of the local artists maintained the'high standard set by the visitors. The opening chorus, “A Voice from the Green Isle,” was well rendered by the girls of St Mary’s School, while the opening chorus of the second part, “Ireland I Love You,” was attractively sung by the choir of St. Patrick’s School. Both choirs showed clear evidence of careful and system atic training and their performance > reflected no little credit on their teachers. An orchestral selection, “Irish Airs,” by the Convent Orchestra, consisting of Misses 11. Restieaux, C. Keating. I. Clayton, T. McSherry and C. Phillips, Masters D Fogarty, M. (Shannon, J. Herring and Miss P Carroll, L.T.C.L. (piano), was well received, and they were enthusiastically encored. Miss Millicent O’Grady scored a great success in her first solo. “Killarney.” an old favourite, her pleasing soprano voice being heard to excellent advantage. As encore numbers she contributed “The Last Rose of Summer” and “The Gap in the Hedge,” and in these she again captured her audience. Later in the even-

ing she sang “She is Far From the Land.” and in response to repeated demands for encores. “The Rose of Tralee” and “Oh! Erin My Country.” Tn all her contributions Miss O’Grady

gave very polished performances, and fully merited the generous applause she received. A musical monologue,

“Does it Always Rain in Ireland?” was given an attractive rendering by Miss E. Ryan, and she was equally happy in her choice of Dr. Kelly .- “Westland,” as an encore. Mr W. Toomey’s fine baritone voice wa-

given ample scope for expression ir “The Minstrel Boy” and his perform ance was a very artistic one. His other numbers, “I’ll Miss You Ole Ireland” and “Mountain Lovers” were equally well rendered, and he

sang with great warmth and fine expression. In two duets. “Flow Gently Deva” and “The Battle Eve,” with Mr Harold Prescott, the operatic tenor. Mr Toomey again found a great appeal. Their voices blended beautifully, and their items were among the best of the evening. Mr Prescott, in this, his only appearance, gave a performance quite in keeping with his high reputation, and the audience would have appreciated more numbers from this very accomplished performer. A part song, ‘‘ln Derry . Vale, ’ ’ was sympathetically treated by Misses L. Marshall, D. Leggoe, J. Fowler and C. Keating, and they were again well received in their performance of “Oh! Dear! What Can the Matter Be” Mrs W. Cogswell was in fine voice and she sang “Eileen Aroon” very impressively. Her second number, “Through the Wood.” was enthusiastically received, and she again gave a nicely restrained performance Misses Cecelia Keating and Ida Clayton were encored for their accomplish ed rendering of a violin duet. “Tarantella. ’ ’ as also were Misses Borgia McSherry, L.T.C.L., and Moira McSherry, L.T.C.L., who showed splendid interpretative judgment in their delicate treatment of Sydney Smith’s “Golden Bells.” As an encore the Misses McSherry played “Mattel’s Valse.” The Marist Boys’ Choir contributed two of Moore’s compositions, “When Through Life Unblest We Rove” and “Canadian Boat Song,” and they gave delightful performances. Their tone was good throughout, and their renderings, as a whole, were very finished. Mr W. McGrath’s recitation of “The St. Patrick’s Day Procession” was an impressive one, and his humorous numbers, “Kelly’s Dream” and “Proposals,” also received great receptions. The humour was well brought out, and the interpretations were at all times pleasing. “Silent O Moyle” received very sympathetic treatment from Mr J. Duffy and the popular tenor held his audience throughout as only the true artist can. He responded to an encore with “The Fairy Tree,” in v-hich he was again heard to distinct advantage. The aceompanistes during the evening were Mrs Toomey (Christchurch), and Misses Borgia McSherry, L.T.C.L., Peggy Carroll, L.T.C.L., Sheila McSherry, A.T.C.L., Kathleen Gieseking and Zita Munson. The

chorus “Hail Glorious St. Patrick,” in which the audience joined, concluded a most enjoyable concert.