THE JUBILEE CANTATA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7914, 5 April 1887, Page 5

THE JUBILEE CANTATA.

Despite the unpromising weather a large at tendance ttcs attracted last evening to St, Jauica , Hall to hear the parformance of T. Moe. P-vttiaon'u cantata of "Britannia and hnr Daughtcro." The hall was very tastefully decorated, tiago, among which the Union Jack was conspicuous, covering the walls, while the orchestra gallery and bc:ck ground were ornamented by pot plants and everureenE, interspersed %7ith neatacrollti bsaring gaily, colouvod legends suitable to the occasion of Her Majesty's jubilee, and the names of the vcrieuo colonies. Tho concert was undor the efficient conductorahip of Mr. J. H. Edmondeu, assisted by Mr. H. Rowe, pianiet, and Mr. Baxter, orgeniat, and a strong choir of one hundred voices, many of whom wore juveniles. Ecch colony was pereonified by a yocng lady in representative ooatnme, accompanied by a train of attendants, pourtraying in their songs, coatume, and accoutrorcent-s the various phases of life and occupations peculiar to the colony they represented. Tho farmers, hunters, fishermec, miners, lumbermen, and Red ludiau3 from Canada ; Sepoys, coolies, anake-charrners, and nautchgirla from India ; negroes from West Indies ; farmers, waggonere, and Kaffirs from Cape Colony; stockmen, drovers, blackiellowe from Australia ; and gokldiggers aud Maoris from Wew Zealand—all attired in costumes that were at once correct, complete, and fantastic ; the performers presented a varied and strikingly pretty effect. The concert opened by the company singing a verae of the National Anthem, whinh was followed by an opening ode in a patriotic and loyal vein, recited by Mr. J. L. Kelly in good style. The chorua of "Mighty Britannia, Mother of Natioan," a bright stirring number, was theu admirably rendered by the choir. After being introduced to the Mother-Empress Britannia (Miss Leßoy) by the Lord-in-waiting, Canada (Mies Reid) brought forward her attendants, and in a dieoursive monologue graphically desoribed the cxtont and resources of her dominions: She then gave the soprano solo, "The Bird that Leaves the Parent Nest," with good taste and execution. Several songs illnstrative of hunting, lumbering, and woodcraft were thea rendered by her train, and well received, a trio by Messrs. McC'oskrie, Hooker, and Menziea being particularly good. India (Miss Evans) was the next to appear, and gave a desoriptive sketch of the manifold advantages her country poseessed, which were illustrated by songs by the Coolie and Sepoy. Aβ representative of Jamaioa, Mr. Dennos made quite a hit in his song "Oberthe Mountain," with banjo accompaniment, and was encored. South Africa (Miss Sinclair) was then introduced, and her representatives told of her many benefits in aong, of whioh the best was Mr. A. Reid's (farmer) rendering of the tenor solo " I Love the Land of the Southern Croae." Australia (Misa Harvey) aud New Zealand (Mies Ballantine) theu appeared together, and after the usual introduction and a stirring ononis, gave several pieces illustrating the pursuits common to their lands. The tenor and bass dnet between Mr. Kilpatriok (stockman) and Mr. Blakey (drover) was au excellent number, as also was Mr. Johnson's (golddigger) rendering of " With my Little Tin Waehingpan." The duet between the Maori chief and wifo was rather poor, and showed lack of confidence. The performance closed with, two choruses, "'New Zealand All Hail" aud "Stretch Forth, Stretch Forth," which were quite in keeping with the general excellence of the whole concert. The cantata is to be repeated to-morrow and Thursday night, and will have, no doubt, a continued euccesß.