SCOTLAND IN SONG AND SIORY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8103, 5 October 1904, Page 2

SCOTLAND IN SONG AND SIORY

Considerable interest is being taken in the appearance in the local Opera House on Friday evening next of the celebrated Scottish Entertainers. Speaking of the entertainment the Ashburton Guardian of September 24 says : "There was an oversowing audience at the Oddfellows' Hall last evening to hear Miss Flora Donaldson and, ait Gavin Spence give a portrayal of "Scotland in Song and Story." Scottish music and Scottish song has a peculiar charm, and its running trills never fail to appeal to all, especially to those who hail irom the land of "Llue Bells and Heather." It is seldom that such accomplished exponents of the music of old Scotia have visited Ashburton, and there were many present who had come irom every corner of the county to hear them. yir Spence, who appeared in full Highland costume, attired in the McDonald of slate tartan, took upon himself the heaviest portion of the programme; and interspersed the musical numbers with numerous Scottish anecdoteß and pawky stories, which he recounted in real Scottish style and expression. Miss Donaldson opened the musical portion of the programme by the rendering of "Scotland," which impressed her hearers with the fact that they had a musical treat in store. She has a splendid soprano voice, clear and full in the higher register, which she uses with wonderful effect in her songs. The lady, too, has the art of using it sympathetically and with much expression, and these qualities were especially noticeable in her numbers "Sound the Pibroch," "Will ye no come back again," and the 'Skye boat song," which were among the best songs of the evening. The admittedly difficult music of "Whistle an* I'll come tae ye, my lad" (which was given in response to an encore), showed that Miss Donaldson possesses a well-trained voice of rare richness of tone. Mr Spence has a voice of a m,ost pleasing quality, and he adapted it with such judgment as to evoke constant applause. His greatest successes were "Jessie's Dream," "Afton Water," and "The Hundred Pipers," all of which were treated with sympathy and taste. It takes a Scotchman of the true type to sing Scotch songs in the style peculiar to Mr Spence. The entertainment throughout wa,s of the most enjoyable order, a,nd gave unbounded pleasure to all assembled, judging by the loud and continued applause that followed the rendition of each item, and was carried through with abundant testimonies to its distinctive merits." Those wishing to reserve seats should do so at once with Messrs Cole and Donnelly, while a limited number of stall tickets are on sale at Mr F. H. Boase's.