ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1437, 10 December 1919, Page 5

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

AN ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME. « That the Palmerston North Orchestral Society retains its .popularity with the local public, and justly so on account of the fine entertainments it provides, was again demonstrated last evening when a very large audience attended at the Opera House to hear the Society’s third concert of the 22nd season. It speaks volumes for the keenness and enthusiasm of the Society, under the capable .leadership of Mr A. J. Graham, that -the standard of its work is not merely maintained but improves with each successive concert. The orchestra is now one of which any town might justly be proud, and it is capable of giving a delightful entertainment. Every item rendered shows evidence of constant study, backed up by hard work and painstaking effort to produce not only an enjoyable number but one of which the artistic merit, is undoubted. The Society were fortunate for the concert last evening in securing as soloists Mr and Mrs A. C. Ashford. The latter has been heard before in Palmerston and her studies while abroad have improved.and developed what before was a pleasing soprano voice of considerable promise. Mrs Ashford gave an artistic, rendering of all her songs. Possibly her most pleasing number was the haunting “Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix” (C. Saint Saeus), her first song. Mrs Ashford sang it with the feeling and artistic finish..She responded to an encore with “Naught of Tears” (Montague Phillips). In the second half she sang “Dream Ships” (Waddington Cooke) most effectively, contributing "Homing” (Teresa Dolreigi) as her encore number.. Numbers of beautiful bouquets were handed to Mrs Ashford at the conclusion of her items. . A well-modulated tenor voice which he uses with judgment, and which shows careful training, is possessed by Mr Ashford. In the first half he sang “A Lover in Damascus” (Amy Woodforde-Finden). His number in the second half was “Mother o’ Mine” (Frank E. Tours), another pleasing item. He was encored for both songs, responding.with a pretty little Irish song, and "LHid My Love” (Hermann Lohr).

The instrumental soloist was Mr Cecil G. Swallow, who gave a very enjoyable piccolo solo in which he was ably seconded by the orchestra, and for which he was given a recall. Of the orchestral items that old favourite “Turkish PatrcSF’ (Michaelis) was the most enjoyable. Their final selection from "Pinafore” (Sullivan) was a very fine effort and deserved all the generous applause-with which it was greeted. The overture number, “Morning - , Noon and Night” (Von Suppe), was another number which met with much appreciation. Other items given were No. I. Prelude Oriental March from “The Merchant of Venice” suite, and the Intermezzo “Portia,” prelude No. 11., and Doges March from “The Merchant of Venice” suite (Frederick Posse). Mrs J. K. Paton gave considerable assistance to the soloists .with her capable accompaniments.