"MUSIC SONG AND STORY."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8916, 28 June 1892, Page 5

"MUSIC SONG AND STORY."

Srcn is the appropriate title given by Mr. Snazelle to the entertainment he presented to an Auckland audience for the first time in the City Hall last night, an entertainment which well deserves its advortiscd description of " unique and charming," and which at once received the stamp of high pnblic approval. The audience was a large one, as Mr. Snnzelle's reputation ensured, and it was also to a very pronounced degree appreciative, as the merits of the performance deserved. MSnazelle divides his programme into two parts, one of which is " high-class," and the other "also highclass, but humourous." The former includes a number of serious and even religious items, sacred music and sacred pictures as well as exhibitions of beautiful scenery, a couple of old English songs, with dramatic effects, a recitation and other impressive attractions. The first item is the overture, in which Mr. Hawkins, A.R.A.M., displays his musical capabilities by playing on piano, organ, and bells simultaiieously, and extracting from them the sweetest and purest of melody. Next came a series of excellent dissolving views representing scenes on the Upper Thames, all beautifully executed and strikingly effective. One peculiarly noticeable feature in connection with these views, and in fact with all that are shown, is the misty merging of one into another, the gradual nature of the change which steals over the face of the picture. During this part Mr. Snazelle and Mi 33 Snazelle supplied the vocal music, and a number of the views were illustrative of their themes. For instance, when Mr. Snazelle's fine rich baritone voice was being heard with delight in the old song "In Sheltered Vale," the scene depicted was a rustic mill, with acting water wheel, and when ho was singing " The Village Blacksmith" as few can sing it, the various events in the blacksmith's routine of life were represented. In connection with the latter song, additional and excellent effect was produced by the imitation of the village church chimes, capitally played by Mr. Hawkins. Miss Snazelle sang "The Brook" with power and expression, and the illustrations thereto consisted of exquisite views showing the growth of a river from its source to its mouth. Perhaps the feature of the first part was Mr. Snazelle's magnificent renpering of Gounod's "Nazareth," accompanied by pictures of sublime beauty, copies of famous originals. This portion of the entertainment is of itself well worth seeing and hearing, and must always prove a very great attraction. Tho humorous element in the second part comprised tho songs "Simon the Cellarer," "Michael's Adventures at the Wars," a recitation, a couple of yarns, all by Mr. Snazelle. and a series of comic pictures of a German pianoforte recital. Mr Sazelle's yarns are extremely funny inimitably told, and the morriinenb they create has always been extreme. " How Bill Adams Won the Battle of Waterloo,' 1 is one of them, and "The Whistler" another, both of which were narrated last night amid roars of laughter. Mr. Snazelle skill and humour as a raconteur cannot be fully understood until he is heard. Miss Snazelle contributed a second song, " She Wore a Wreath of Roses," and was highly successful. Mr. Hawkins played his own arrangement of airs from " Maritana." A varied collection of photographic views of statuary were displayed, and the programme concluded with "God Save tho Queen," a portrait of Her Majesty being thrown upon tho screen. To Air. Brown belongs the greatest possible credit for the manner in which ho operates his"scenoscopic'' apparatus, and for tho effects ho so cleverly produces. The whole of the accompanying and appropriate music is ably played 'by Mr. Hawkins. In every respect " Music, Song and Story" is an entertainment interesting, enjoyablo, and unconventional, and in Auckland it ought to be accorded the most liberal patronage. The same programme will bo repeated this evening.