THE REMENYI CONCERTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7270, 7 March 1885, Page 5

THE REMENYI CONCERTS.

Tit ere was a very good attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, for though some of the seats in the stalls were empty, the dress-circle was well filled. Monsieur Reme'nyi's first solo was Ernst'e brilliant fantasia on airs from Bellini's opera, "II Pirati," which the great violinist played in a remarkably fine manner. The piece abounds with difficulties, and contains a good deal of doable-etopping, which the performer executed with the greatest eaee, and upon being encored he gave a rendering of Chopin's nocturne in G minor, full of poetical fancy and imagination. This was followed in due course by Vieuxtemp's "Reverie" aod Delibe's "Valee Lente." Monsieur Remenyi played the reverie from music, which with him is an unusual thing, for as a rule he trusts entirely to his memory, which seems never to fail him. The waltz is a light airy. composition, and it need hardly be said that Monsieur Reme'nyi's interpretation of it was faultless. The encore piece was an arrangement of Chopin's mazurka in B flat, and the last violin solo on the programme was Monsieur Reme'nyi'e own transcription of Handel's well kuown "Harmonious Blacksmith," to which he did ample justice, and upon being recalled, played the "Carnival of Venice," with quaint variations, which pleased the audience more than anything they had heard before, and wheu Monsieur Reme'nyi had finished, so vigorously did they applaud that, to quiet them, he played his grand arrangement of "The Marseillaise" in a trulv heroic manner.

Mr. Luckstone's solos were Mokowski's serenade, Scderman'a "Swedish Wedding March," and Liszt's polonaise in E, all of which he rendered admirably. He was, however, unfortunately interrupted in the middle of the polonaise by some drums and fifes in the street. This is not the first time the audience and the performers at these concerts have been annoyed by passing bands. It is to be hoped that in future they will avoid the immediate neighbourhood of the theatre, or at least atop playing for a few minutes as they march past. Miss Downing sang Bishop's " Should He Upbraid," which well suited her fine voice. She was, as U3ual, recalled, and as an encore gave an excellent rendering of " Supposing," by the same composer. Her next song was Molloy's "Jamie," which was followed by "Banbury Cross" as an encore.

Mr. Himmer sansr "The Death of Nelson" in a very spirited manner, and at its conclusion he wa3 warmly applauded. He gave, as an encore, Mareton's "Rose Marie," which is a very beautiful thing ; and his last solo was Lucks tone's ballad, " On the Blue Pacific." The concert concluded with Smith's duet, "Maying," excellently sung by Miss Downing and Mr. Himmer. To-night there will be a popular programme, and we understand that M. Rem6nyi will ptay during the course of the evening Ernst's " Othello " fantasie, his own arrangement of Scotch melodies, including " Auld Robin Gray," " The Campbell's are Coinin'," "Annie Laurie," and "Charlie is my Darling," "The Last Rose of Summer," "The Carnival of Venice," and "The Marseillaise."