POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XVI, Issue 129, 4 June 1881, Page 2

POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.

Owing to the lack of publicity given to the entertainment in the Lyceum Hall last night in aid of the funds of the Liteiary Institute, it was sparsely attended. The programme was introduced by one of Roubur's overtvres, which was one of the best pieces of instrumentation we have heard in Blenheim. The Philharmonic orchestra played two other selections during the evening, with almost equal success. We regretted to find that our old and invaluable friend on these occasions— Herr Norberg— was not included in the orchestra. The choruses went fairly well, " Chough and Crow" being the best, though we fear there had not been that amount of practice together that would have tended to their being rendered with greater effect. The solos, with one exception, were good, and received well merited encores. " The Tar's Farewell " was pleasinglyrendered by agentleman whose voicemust be pronounced a really excellent baritone, and which, with more culture and increased expression would become a favorite for soogs of this class. The besc solo of the evening was undoubtedly "Yesterday." We were glad to notice a revival of readings in connection with Literary Institute Entertainments. The examples on this occasion which were afforded by the two gentlemen who read, were a genuine treat, and if we may be permitted to express a very decided opinion, were the great feature of the evening's proceedings. The lirat reading was " The Demon Ship," a piece which bears very strongly on it the impress of Tom Hood's authorship. It was faithfully interpreted and admirably read. In the second portion of the entertainment the reading was "The Natural Bridge of Virginia," from the pen of I'lihu Burrett, which so thrillingly describes the perilous ascent of a hoy up a nearly perpendicular cliff. It was powerfully read by the gentleman to whom it had besn assigned. A. young lady, who is now becoming well known to local audiences, ptaytd two pianoforte dolos, and on each occasion gave such satisfaction as to receive recalls. The rapidity of execution displayed was truiy a m itter of a■miration, and shows great and careful practice, though we cannot avoid feeling that there is room for improvement as regards taste to obtain the highest enjoyment whii-b such performances might be made to yield. The entertainment, taken as a whole, was the most successful, as regards the satisfaction it yielded to those who were present, since the concert organised last year by Herr Norberg in aid of the sufferers by Ihe ■ Renwick fire. We think that other entertainments of a similar character might be got up with advantage during the winter. The accompaniments were pluyed by two ladies, who discharged their respective duties with their usual care. We regret to learn that 'he gentleman who conducted on this occasion is likely to leave us shortly, and we feel jontident that the loss entailed on our local musical circles will not easily be repaired.