THE CONCERT.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8161, 16 April 1895, Page 3

THE CONCERT.

Tho Hibernian Secioty could not bnb bo satistied with tho attendando at their national entertainment ab tho Public Ilall laßt evening. Tho stalls and pit vrero crowded and tho circle was com" fortftb'y filled, Tho programme was musical and dramatic. Some of the best musical talent procurable had been engaged for the concert, and although thoao who took part in tho dramatised version of Lover's " Handy Andy " could hardly bo termed Wilson Barretts or J. L, Toolcs they entertained and amused tho audience to its evident satisfaction. The musical part of the programme was opened by Mis 9 Ada Geddes, of Invercargill. This young Udy haa been approprlatoly termed " the Nightingale of Southland," and assuredly sho deservoa it, Thero In an indescribable charm about Miss Geddos' singing that captivates an audience. Her voice is of rare quality, clear and mel'ow. Its power and sweetness, too, were adequately displayed in her singing of " Mona" (Adams), a beautiful song, with a high-toned sentiment. Needless to aay Miss Geddes, who had been most heartily leoelved, evoked a storm of applause, and in response to »n encore sho sang •' Eileon Allanah," which was as warmly applauded. " Lochnagar," as sung by Miss Geddes, would touch the hearts of tho Scottish in the audience, and although not so modern as •'Mona" was as faultlessly rendered. Her encore song was u Twickenham Ferry," Mr Farquhar Young in that stirring patriotic Irish tong "^he VVearIng of tho Green " touood tho audience to cheering, while in his " Father O'Flynn" ho sent them " cr»zy " with the " fun of It." These songs suited Mr foung, and they dejighted the aud(enpe. Ie was doubly encored, and sang " OS to Philadelphia, That ol»8sic song of Toum entitled "Tho Altar and the Throne" was given by Mrs Lynch with wonderful brilliancy and finioh. Wo have frequently spoken of the elegance and grace of Mrs Lynch'd vocalisation, and it is only ntceesary now to record the fact that she was enthusiastically encored, and responded with " The Ketry Dance." A similar compliment was paid to Mr Blenkinaopp for his fine rendering of "I'm Sitting on the Stile." Mr A. Potter made his bow to an Oimaru audlenqe in singing "Th« Dear j7(ttlo S,hamrook.'! Mr Potter tings a good song well, and Ihero is not the least trace of affectation about hit efforts. Indeed, his enoore nong, "The Hiolandmtn's Toast," had the ting of genuine worth, and the listener forgot the singer in the appreciation of the theme, and this should be the effect) th»t all vocalists should aim at. The dramatic representation of "Handy Andy" concluded v "0 entertainment. The comioa', almost ludiorous, situations ttfoked the heartiflb laughtir from the ftudltoge, ma thli *m of count thj

objeot, and was, therefore, highly successful. Mr T. W. Lynch as " Handy Andy ' was what (he boys call "immense, ' and Mr J. P. Martin (Squiro Egan), Mr R. Kane (Squire O'Grady), V r Iroland (Mr Furlong), Mr M. O'Grady (Dick Dawson), Mr VV. Byrno (Mr Murphy), and Mr Hanley and Miss Donovan sustained their p»rfci with the appreciation and to tho satisfaction of ihe audienco. Mr M. J. Harming, on bohalf of tho Hibernian Society, at an interval of tho entertainment, took occasion to think the audience and the publio of Oamaru for thoir liberal pattonago to tho Society's patriotic concert and tho day's sports, and promising a similar programme for next yoar.