PALMER-BEAUMONT CONCERTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10236, 3 January 1894, Page 5

PALMER-BEAUMONT CONCERTS.

The musical attractions provided for the public by this company last night proved equal to any of the preceding budgets, and the programme was a very acceptable one to a larger and warmer audience than usual, we are glad to record. A delightful trio by Smart, “Ob Memory,” and well harmonised, opened tho concert. It is needless to say that it was well sung. With regard to tbe second one, “ O Lovely Peace,” there was a little shortcoming ia the matter of tune, and a dragging m consequence. Mr Barker, for hia harp solo, gave Thomas’s Welsh melody, bringing out all its quaint wildness, and in response to a redemand played “ Watching tho Wheat,” a beautiful little air delicately played. Mr Lemmoae introduced a now piece on “ Polish Aire,” full of the peculiar and somewhat melancholy strain common to them, and played it with great taste and feeling. He also played an elaborate arrangement of “ The Carnival de Yenise” with much effect. In the second part of the programme, in conjunction with Mr Barker, he gave as a duet, “The Dream after the Dance,” a very pretty item, excellently performed by both.

The vocal items were choice all through. Mr Gea, with “The Vagabond,” captivated the audience by the vigorous and free manner in which he sang it, and responded with another bold and dashing song, “ The Gay Hussar.” This was very effectively sung. The best number by Mrs Palmer was “ When the Heart is Young,” her first one, sung with delicate phrasing and expression. Her second one, Pinsuti’a “ Sleep on. Dear Love,” did not offer much scope for great effect. Encores were accorded to both, and for the first the singer gave with much archness “How to Ask and to Hava,” and'quite won the audience. Miss Stirling, who did not seem quite in her best form, sang “ Were I the River ” tastefully and smoothly, and “ The Kerry Dance,” in which she was more successful, and infused into it much animation and feeling. It gained her an encore, for which ehe sang “I Couldn’t, Could I?” iu a happy, simple manner. A duet by this lady and Mr Gee was a feature of the evening, “ A Night in Venice,” a fine number, into which Mr I Gee threw much passionate feeling. Mr I Beaumont was heard ia "Once Again” (Sulhven) and “ The Romany Lais ” with fair success, tho songs in which he ia most successful being those within his middle register. In tho final quartet, | “ Funiculi, Funicula,” he was eminently j successful in tbe action he added to the song, making this one of the liveliest numbers put before tho audience. To-night is tho last night, when special patronage will ba bestowed and special items given; among others the Mayor and Mayoress will ba present. The beautiful instrumental item of Sunday night’s concert, the “ Andante ” from Mozart’s concerto for harp and flute, will bo repeated, a piece of sufficient attraction in itself. Among other numbers Mrs Palmer will sing “ Waiting,” Miss Stirling “ Bide a Wee,” Mr Gee “ The Holy City,” and Mr Beaumont “The Death of Nelson.” We need I' not raiterafce what has been imid regarding tha sterling qualities of these artists, but wo can assure tha public that a thoroughly good performance is awaiting them, and hope the lady to whom the benefit ia tendered will have substantial evidence of tbe recognition from the people of Christchurch which she may justly expect.