MUSICAL AND LITERARY ENTERTAINMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6150, 3 August 1881, Page 5

MUSICAL AND LITERARY ENTERTAINMENT.

.A musical and literary entertainment was given last evening in St. Andrew's school-. room, Lower Symonds-street, by the choir of St. Andrew's Church, in order to raise funds for the purchase of new music for the choir library. The Rev. A. Carrick presided, and delivered a neat introductory speech. The school-room was comfortably filled, there being over 200 persons present. The firstpart of the programme opened with the part song, "Pretty Village Maiden," by the choir, which was effectively rendered ; as wa3 also •'The Arab's Farewell to his Steed," by Mr. A. Brookes. Mrs. Culpan received a very favourable reception in the song, "A little mountain lad." A humorous reading, "The Society upon the Stanislaus," by Mr. J. C. Smyth, was well received; and was followed by a pianoforte duet by the Misaes Braund and Culpan, which was creditably executed. Miss Tait sang "At the Ferry" in excellent style, her contralto voice being heard to great advantage. . Mr. Reid's rendering of "Thus Goes the World Around," secured for him an encore, to which he responded. The famous " Charge of the Light Brigade " was recited with much spirit by Mr. Page ; and the first portion of the entertainment closed with the song, "That's Where you Make the Mistake," by Mr. G. Reid, who had to submit to an encore, and gave, in response, "Perhaps he's on the Kaihva3'." The second part of the programme opened with a pianoforte selection, '' Le Jet d'Eau," by Miss Braund, followed by the song, "Rothesay Bay," by Mrs. Culpan, which was the gem of the evening. The chorus, "Ever True," by the choir, was given in good style, and it was succeeded by a reading, "Tarn o'Shanter,' by Mr. Oliphant, whose " 3weet Doric " fell gratefully on the ears of the Scottish portion of the assemblage. Miss Blaikie sang "When the Quiet Moon is Beaming pleasingly, but with some timidity. The duet, "Hear me, Norma," by Mrs. Culpan and Miss Tait, was excellently rendered, the voices blending very nicely. Mr. Reid wae immense in the humorous Scotch song, "Hame cam our guidman at e'en," and to the encore demanded he responded with "The British Lion." "Shabby Genteel," by Mr. H. Davey, and the chorus " Gipsy Star," by the choir, concluded the programme. The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Athem, Miss Tait taking the solo. The entertainment was a complete success, and the proceeds will go largely to accomplish the object for which it was held.