CHRISTCHURCH LIEDERTAFEL

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13934, 16 December 1905, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH LIEDERTAFEL

The popular Herron Abend of the Christchurch Leidertafel are always occasions for a little social musical relaxation of ah. enjoyable nature, and there was the customary largo attendance at last night’s concert. The programme, as usual, was agreeably diversified.- The Society has voluntarily adopted a change of venue, and now gives its concerts in the rooms of the Scottish Society. The change is an admirable one, as the acoustic properties of the new hall are excellent, and the ventilation, is a vast improvement upon pre-existing conditions. So far as the concert was concerned it was a most enjoyable one, both part songs and solos being as well selected as they were well-received. Of the part songs Sir J. F. Bridge’s “The Goslings” appeared to appeal to the audience more than any other, and the delightfully humorous number was vigorously encored. The quartette “How Sweet, How Fresh,” in which Messrs Cookson, Vincent, March and Millar sustained the parts, was also an excellent number, and the inevitable encore was responded to with a humorous version of, a part song significantly named “ The Tack.” Other concerted numbers which earn mention from the general excellence were Reicbardt’s “ Tears of Anguish,” Sullivan’s “ The Long Day Closes,” and Abt’s “Laughing Song.” The soloists wore nicely selected, Mr A. Millar, of course, claiming pride of place, for after singing Sevan’s “Rose of the Desert” with his customary sturdy ability, he was not allowed to retire until ho returned and sang that now literally evergreen favourite “ I Fear No Foe.” Mr G. Steere sang a characteristic Spanish ballad “ Manerelita,” by Trotero, feelingly and nicely. Mr Collier was as pretty as ever with Ganzi “ I Seek For Thee,”

and Dr Alanning sang a dainty bracket of distinctly modern songs. Dr Crooke, whose' 1 excellence as a piano soloist has been continually observed, played one of Aloskowski’s elaborate valises brilliantly. The whole concert was musically as successful as the most unhypercritical smoker’ could have desired.