AMUSEMENTS.

Northern Advocate, 22 February 1911, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

There was a. good house at the Theatre last evening, at Mr Dobson's first recital, and the unstinted applause with which each item was received, vas one very good criterion of the quality of the concert. Mr Dobson Avas assisted by the Band, who played selections outside the Theatre, and who again showed themselves to be a cm edit to the town. Members of the Philharmonic Orchestra—Miss Gallo*vay and Messrs R. Hill-Johnson, Jenh?n, Smedley, and E. Reed—also assisted greatly in the excellence of the concert. Perhaps the most meritorious item oil the pupil's work was a piano solo — Faust "Waltz (Gounod) —by Master R. Cambie, who showed a good grasp of tempo and a very sympathetic touch for one so young. Miss Cambie and the Misses Horn's duets were very well executed, and well received, and the Misses Cambie's and Palmer's solos were also very successful. Miss F. North's rendering of Smallwood's "Early Dawn" displayed more advanced knowledge than most, of the other pupils' work, and her technique was practically flawless. Of those who assisted the pupils, after Mr Dobson's fine pianoforte I selections, which amply demonstrated his musical ability, Master J. Dobson's cornet selections were probably the best, embracing as they dii all the most difficult phases of cornet playing. Miss Galloway rendered one of her very acceptable items and received a hearty encore, to which she responded. Mr Jenkin's fine voice was heard to good advantage, and Mr Smedley , was loudly applauded for some very good comic songs, which were sung in his own inimitable manner. Messrs Johnson and Reed's interpretation of the "Battle Eve" vocal duet furnished a further example of the well-balanced manner in which the voices coincided, while the former's solo, "The Bandelero," was admirably adapted to his voice. At the conclusion of the recital Mr Carruth, who presided, thanked the audience on Mr Dobson's behalf for their support, and eulogised the quality of the items which had been heard. He expressed the hop« that Mr Dobson would again provide a similar concert in the near future. The round of applause which followed must have been very gratifying to the young and talented musician. MISS CAMPION'S BENEFIT CONCERT. Pleasant anticipation of Miss Kitty Campion's benefit concert, which is to transpire to-morrow night, is becoming more intense a? the occasion draws nearer. The entertainment is under -he direction of the Whangarei Musical Society, and is one of a series in the Auckland province with the estimable object of securing to Miss Campion the best procurable training in England and on the Continent for two years. A significant token that the emprise is meeting with approval among all classes in the Dominion is liiscoverable in the fact that the Rt. Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G, P.C., | Prime Minister, has granted his patronage, and has also forwarded a subscription and his best wishes for the success of the project. Whangarei will be signally honored, too, by the first public appearance of Miss Gerti Campion since her withdrawal from the platform and stage several years ago on account of ill-health. Auckland musical people are reported to be very envious of Whangarei's precedence in this respect, but Whangarei has done much to promote musical ideals, and believes that it is entitled to the honor. Local residents can be relied upon to respond in full measure and overflowing to the worthy appeal which is being made.