PUBLIC CONCERT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 126, 4 June 1853, Page 6

PUBLIC CONCERT.

The Lyttelton Choral Society gave their first Concert on Tuesday Evening. The large room in the barracks was tastefully arranged for the occasion, the walls being decorated with flags, &c. Upwards of 200 persons were present, to whom the performance .afforded unmixed satisfaction. The Society has. been in existence some eight months, and thanks to the untiring energy and zeal of its conductor, aided by the aptitude of his pupils, it bids fair to hold an honorable position in the public eye, and to rival similar institutions in England. Public expectation had been on tiptoe for the event, and in this instance it was more than realized. Some thirty members were present, and. when the more interesting half entered the room, clad in spotless white, the audience greeted them with a hearty round' 1 of applause, which was beautifully acknowledged by more than One fair face with " blushes, celestial, rosy-red, love's proper hue."

The concert was divided into two parts — sacred, and secular. We are not about to indulge in detailed criticism of theVperformance; even had we the inclination we^'are not "up" in the jargon of musical .criticism. We are either pleased, or we ; are not, and we can express this without deeming it incumbent to parade our musical knowledge by fantastical fanfaronade. Mr. Bilton presided with his usual ability at the piano-forte, and Mr. M'Cardell wielded the baton of conductor with an energy and precision that would have commanded the admiration of the great Jullien himself. AH were obedient to his sway, and in consequence the choruses told with immense ■ effect. After a prelude on the piano fronf^ Mr. Bilton, the hymn " Forth from the dark and stormy sky" (Rosseau), was admirably rendered. The same may be said of the hymn "Give to us' peace in outtime" (Russian Air). The first encore was given to a Solo on the violin by Mr. Sme'a,

ton, which was delicately handled, and created quite -furore.

The first piece in the second part which claims our notice was the comic glee " Of all, the brave birds," which was highly relished, and an encore peremptorily exacted. The performers w rere Messrs. M'Cardell, Seager, and Garwood, and it is superfluous to say that in their hands ample justice was done to it, and that the pantomimic by-play, characterising the glee, convulsed the auditory with laughter. It is to be regretted there were no other glees of a similar, stamp, as they tend to render the remainder pieces more marked by the contrast. After another solo on the violin by Mr. Smeaton, equally appreciated as the first, the' Madrigal for four voices "iHard by,ai'fdiintaini'' (Waelrent), was sung.by "l^ssrs. Bruce; Seager, Rutland, and M'Cardell:''"';iWe ffiinkthis was the best rendered; piece bf the evening, being remarkably chaste and finished. The part song " Long ihay life and health be spaied us" (German air), was also well delivered, and commanded a well-merited encore. The same compliment was extended to the song " Harvest time," (Neithart), the choruses of which were executed in first-rate style. There were other pieces which justly claim attention, but the limits of a newspaper forbid a more lengthened notice. The performance concluded with " God save the Queen,'' right nobly sung, all the audience standing. We may justly, congratulate the Society upon their successful attempt to relieve the monotony of Colonial life by the cheerful aid of music, and from the hearty manner in which it has been met, we anticipate another treat at no distant day, when we hope that instrumental music will be added to give a tone and finish to the vocal. In the interim, success and prosperity to the Lyttelton Choral Society !