MISS FREDA MARSDEN'S FAREWELL CONCERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9604, 31 August 1894, Page 5

MISS FREDA MARSDEN'S FAREWELL CONCERT.

Tub farewell concert of Miss Freda Marsden, the well-known end talented violinist, who is leaving Aucklar'i to reside at Christchurch, took place la-it evening, in the Choral Hall. Notwithstanding the almost continuous downpour of rain, there was an excellent attendance, and the young lady was accorded an enthusiastic reception and "a good send-off." The opening item was an overture, "Italian! in Algeria" (Rossini), which was rendered in excellenb style by the orchestra of the Choral Society, under the conductorship of Professor Schmitt, who conducted in all the numbers performed by there;. Mr. John Fuller, who was in excellent voice, had to submit to an encore in his song " My Queen," (Blumenthal), and responded by giving ''Old Madrid." Miss Alice Rimmer, who is ever a favourite with an Auckland audience, sang with great taste the song 41 Heaven and Earth" (Pinsuti), and had to submit to an imperative encore, when she sang "When the Pearly Gates Unfold." The fair beneficiare of the evening (Miss Freda Marsden) then executod a violin solo, first a berceuse by T. H. Hermann and a mazurka (W tenia walii), with taste arid executive ability. In response to an encore Miss Marsden wimply bowed her acknowledgments. Mr. A. Edwards' fine sympathetic voice wasi heard to advantage in the song "The Valley by the Sea " (S. Adams), and he was heartily applauded. The closing item of the first parb was " Traumerei " (Schumann) by the young ladies' orchtistra, under the conductorship of Miss Reeve, which was played remarkably well, and was warmly received.

The opening number of the second parb was " Banditten Streiche " (Suppe), which received a very spirited rendering ob the hands of the orchestra of the Choral Society ursder Professor Schmitt. Mrs. G. E. Hill, who made her debut at the Choral Society in " Moses in Egypt," was well received in her song, " Keepsake." That fine song, " The Message," received ample justice ab the hand* of Mr. A. H. Gee, and in response to the inevitable encore, he sang " Let Mo Love Thee " (Arditi). The Young Ladies' Orchestra followed with the overture, "Savoyard," which was bright, and played nicely. Miss Lizzie Warren received an encore for her excellent rendering of t.ho "Venetian Boa? Song," and she responded by singing, "At the Concert." A similar compliment was accorded ho Mr. Reginald Burch in his song, " Leaving, yet Loving," and he responded by giving "Love's Sweet Song." Mr. Leslie Dix contributed a humorous song, and a very successful concert was brought to a close by a violin solo by Miss Freda Marsden, " Romance in IF" (Beethoven), which was tastefully executed and enthusiastically applauded. The accompaniments were efficiently played by Misses Reeve and Thorpe.