PONSONBY HALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4439, 4 February 1876, Page 3

PONSONBY HALL.

A CONCERT was given in the above Hal evening by the members of the Ponsonby Musical Society, in the presence of a largo and fashionable audience, to whom complimentary tickets had been presented. The •first part of the entertainment was occupied with the rendering of Mendelssohn's "Lobcesang," or Hymn of Praise, which was, on the whole, very fairly performed. One or - two defects were noticeable, but the general effect was good. The wind and - stringed.kratruments were in good tune, and deserve* a word of commendation. The TSeoond part of the programme opened with an overture from "Tancredi,' the band, followed by a song, "Esmeralda, by Mrs. Dacre. This lady sang very pleasingly, and was obliged to comply, irith a loud and persistent demand on the part of her hearers for an encore. A . chorus, "To Thee, Great Lord !" succeeded in turn, and was received with marks of appreciation. A pianoforte solo was executed by Mrs. Woolley in a finished manner, tho : difficulty of the middle movement, in five -fiats, being successfully surmounted. The ever-favourite song, ii Nil Desperandum, - was sung ty Mr. Georgo Cruickshank with ' much spirit; and in response to an imperative recall, he gave the t1 Good Rhino Wine, with equal success. A quartette, "Sweet is the hour of rest," in which Mrs. Mitchell, Miss Tole, and Messrs. Henderson and J. •A. Tole, took part; and an overture from *_ "Masaniello," by the band, followed by . the National Anthein brought the evening s amusement to a close. Mr. Michell wielded • the conductor's baton with liis usual ability, / and Mrs, Woolley obligiugly presided at the . piano. Great credit is due to the gentlemcn who supplied the instrumental music for assisting at the performance. The majority of them wore members of tho Choral Society, and had to incur some expense in being present.