THEATRE ROYAL.—HENRI KETTEN'S PIANO RECITALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5996, 4 February 1881, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL. —HENRI KETTEN'S PIANO RECITALS.

The first oE two extra recitals, for the benefit of Mr. A. Brambach and Mr. F. P. Pines, came off last evening. The programme comprised the sonata in E flat (op.. 27), No. 1 (andante, allegro molto, adagio, and allegro vivace), of Beethoven, the '-Ave Maria" of Schubert, a paraphrase from " Faust," nocturne in E flat major, mazourka and presto of Ciiopin, and a fantasia on airs from "Elisir d'Amore," ai-ranged by Thalberg. There were several minor selection's, such as the minuetto of Boccherini, and the "Victor Emmanuel Funeral March," by Ketten. This last is a fine example of picturesque music, the effect of the imitative roll of muffled drums being very impressive. The brilliancy of executive skill displayed in Beethoven's sonata, in a magnificent paraphrase from Gounod, and the selections from Donizetti's opera had the usual effect of eliciting emphatic and prolonged applause. This evening the recital will be for the benefit of Mr. F. P. Pines. To this gentleman the public have been indebted for the arrangements which during the series contributed so greatly to the -general comfort. Thanks are due to him for his attention and courtesy. The programme this evening is specially selected and comprises :' "The Harmonious Blacksmith" of Handel, a romance from"Tannhauser," Turkish march and serenade from Don Giovanni, the serenade from "Faust," paraphrase from "Aida," berceuse of Ciiopin, presto in, E Minor of Mendelssohn, "The Postillion" and " The Rhapsodie Hongroise" of Liszt. This will be the last recital given in Auckland. The prices will be the ordinary theatrical prices.