CHORAL HALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6571, 8 December 1882, Page 5

CHORAL HALL.

HERR CARL SCHMITT'S CONCERT. The attendance at Herr Schmitt's coucert, last night, was a recognition of his services in aid to musical taste and culture in this city. The hall was full, aud the quality of the audicuce conveyed a compliment to the accomplished conductor of the Choral Society. The hall was decorated with taste, llerr Schmitt has given many proofs of his attention to the external accessories to musical effect. The concert opened with an " Ouvet ture de Concert," composed by Herr Sehmitt, dedicated to Mr. Fencon, and capitally played by the orchestra. This was followed by a double quartette for male voices, "Thus spake one summer's day" (Abt), which was one of the successes of tho evening. The aria, "Bird fly from hence" (Kiicken), sung by Miss Penton, with violin obligato by Herr Schmitt, Mrs. Schmitt playing the piano accompaniment, was much : applauded. The "Casta Diva" and chorus, ■ the air and " sceua" beiug sung by Miss Bleazard, was the greatest success, the lady I retiring laden with bouquets. The first i part of the concert concluded with "Mein Walzer Berlin" (Uungl), admirably played, Herr Sfchmitt conducting. The second part of the conceit was the operetta of Oll'enbach, j entitled " Breaking the Spell." The story | is pretty, the plot inthne, and yet fanciful. Peter Bloom (Mr. E. Ilarker), disappointed in his love, enlists for a soldier. .Tenny, his sweetheart (Mrs. Kilgour), relents, and imploreß her godfather, Matthew, a Chelsea pensioner (Mr. G. Harker), to buy him off by selling his fiddle. Peter has conceived a violent resentment for the fiddle, and smashes it. Inside it. however, is a £100 note, a legacy from the old man's father. The plot concludes with a village wedding. The two gentlemen, and the lady who played and sang the principal parts, acquitted themselves admirably, the lady especially. She thoroughly conceived the humour of her part. She received many flattering proofs of the satisfaction of tho audience. The concert concluded with "God Save the Queen." Everything to the slightest detail was excellent, both in manner and performance.