Musin's Concert Company.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3418, 9 December 1896, Page 2

Musin's Concert Company.

Those who were not at the Opera House last evening missed a treat. The audience present were most enthusiastic — too much so, one is inclined to think, from a performer's point of view. That every item was deserving of the appreciation so warmly shown goes without saying, and the great virtuoso and his talented company are entitled to the "credit of having given one of the best programmes yet submitted in in Hawera. Where there were so many gems it is hard to single out items of predominant merit. The centre of attraction, of course, was M. Ovide Musin. His first item — a concerto of Mendelsshn's — was a revelation, the andante movement especially so. He had to appear again and again in response to vociferous encores. Again in the second portion his item was tbe signal for an enthusiastic outburst. "The Fly" (Bohn) was at once charming and clever, as was also the waltz of his own composition. But perhaps one of the richest items of the evening was the duet for two violins by Goddard, which was taken by Messrs Musin and Hill. The tender pathos of tbe first two movements, and the bold treatment of the third, gave an opportunity of displaying ability not frequently seen in ths Colony. The same may be said of all the performers. A selection from Mr Alfred Hill's newly produced cantata " Hinemoa," was given in good style by Madame Musin. . A duet from the same work by the same lady and the composer himself, was perhaps ever better. Miss Constance Hatherly's harp selections were a feature of the programme* Her touch was delicate and artistic, and she had to respond to repeated recalls. One of the best items was " Aye Maria," hi which Madame Musin took the soprano, being accompanied by the harp, violin, organ and piano. The audience were very sorry when the concluding, notes came, and it was not their fault it was not not repeated. Herr Scharf as usual created a good impression with his pianaforte solos, and had to give encore numbers in every case. Mr Alfred ,£Oll sang a song of his own composition. "Ah Summer Day" in good style. Mention must also be made of a capital glee given by Mr Higham's glee choir, " Now Tramp o'er Moss and Fell," in which Miss K. Connell took the solo, and two excellent overtures by the orchestra. M. Musin specially thanked them in general, and " friend Higham" in particular. The programme from first to last was an excellent one, and worthy of a packed house.