CONCERT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 419, 12 September 1863, Page 3

CONCERT.

Me. Worgan'S musical soiree came off on the night of Wednesday last. The Council Chamber ■was well filled, and the performance was such as to give very general satisfaction. The concert opened with Haydn's Grand March, played by Mr. Worgan in his own effective style. " Down the Bourne," the first vocal piece of the evening, is a charming old Scotch air, harmonized for four voices by Dr. Corfe, of Salisbury. It was very steadily sung and was highly effective. "Comin' through the Kye," sung by Mrs. Robson, •was encored, although it was evident that this lady's really fine voice was temporarily impaired from nervous trepidation. The glee, "The Hardy Norseman," and the duett, " I've wandered in Dreams," were very nicely rendered. Beethoven's splendid composition, " Know'st thou the Land " was done ample justice to by the fine voice and accurate rendering of Capt. Withers, and was warmly encored — the vociferous calls of "As you were " being thought a great hit by the small wits at the rear. Mrs. Eobson then sang "The Skipper and his Boy," which would no doubt have been better appreciated, had it been more generally known. Trio. "To the Mountains" was admirably given by those veterans of the art, Messrs. Hitchings, Lyndon, and Harris, aud -was loudly applauded. Mrs. Webb having nicely sang - the pretty ballad " The Orange Bower," the audience were preparing to retire for the interval, when they were taken, aback at seeing those old stagers, Doctors Hitchings and English, make their appearance on the platform. They were received with thunders of applause ; and supplemented the first part of the programme

•with T. Cooke's spirited duett of "Love and War," the masterly execution of which, with the ' fine florid piano accompaniment, elicited a unanimous call for a repetition. ' i: The second part commenced wtth OsborneV brilliant fantasia upon the pianoforte, "The Shower of Pearls," which was well received, although it was to be regretted that Mr. Worganj., had not an instrument more worthy of his powers' of execution. We hope the time is not far distant when Napier can boast the possession for public purposes of a piano better suited to the hands of a professional performer. Mrs. Welch followed with "Katty Darling," which was pleasingly sung, as was also the glee, " Mary's Dream." That fine old English air, not the less welcome because of its antiquity, " Sally in our Alley," was given by Mr. Lyndon with great taste and feeling, and was much applauded. The favorite duett, "I know a Bank," was effectively rendered by Mrs. Welch and Captain Withers, and loudly encored. We were glad, at this juncture, to see Mr. Eobottom, whose high musical talent has so often been in requisition by the people of Napier, join Mr. Worgan in the instrumental trio, Tenor, Bass, and Pianoforte, from Bellini's Norma. It was a gorgeous piece of music, and drew forth a warm encore, which was complied with — Master Johnny effectively doing his part on the violincello. Mrs. Robson gave Wallace's touching air, " Sweet Spirit," with much feeling, clearly demonstrating the tine quality of her voice. The song was encored, and given the second time with even better effect than the first. The duett, "Flow gently, Deva," the song, by Miss Curtis, " Gay young Spring," aud the lively glee " Harvest Time," were exceedingly well done, but a commotion in the room, consequent on the news of the steamer Auckland being aground, interfered materially with the enjoyment of the concluding portions of the programme. This virtually concluded • the performance ; but a pleasing addition was afforded in that glorious old duett, "Could a man be secure." which was sung with great spirit by Doctors Hitchingsand English. The entertainment — and it was such in reality— was wound up with " God save the Queen" — Mrs. Robson admirably executing the first solo, and all the singers and the audience joining in the chorus. The second part was very charmingly taken as a quartette, followed of course by the full chorus. We never heard the national anthem so well sung in Napier as on this occasion : nor do we recollect of any amateur concert being, on the whole, more successful.