ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12240, 8 April 1903, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY GLEE AND CONCERT PARTY. The Westminster Abbey Glee and Concert Party gave their second concert at the Opera House last night, again achieving a deckled success and confirming in no uncertain manner the highly favourable impression made at their opening concert on the previous night. The theatre contained a very largo audience. So delightful was the programme submitted that all present were enchanted therewith, and, commencing with the very first item, recalls followed each succeeding one, in most instances encores being generously accorded. The accomplished gentlemen and boys of the party were heard in the following choice selections: —Glee, "When Allen-a-Dale Went a-Hunting" (Pearsall); chorus, "The Song of the Battle Eve," an old Irish air arranged by Sir Robert Stewart stirring number, with its recurring refrain, was given with great vim and —and ballet, "Now is the Month of Maying" (Morley). All were listened to with rapt attention and delight. As encores the singers gave equally fine renderings of Barnby's lovely part-song, " Sweet and Low' (absolutely entrancing from its perfect rendering), a reoeat of a verse of (he old Irish battle song, and Towers' "The Bells of St. Michael's" (added by special request and beautifully sung). As an extra contribution they sang Gounod's anthem, " Send out Thy Light," in a finished manner. The adult mala singers were heard in Wm. Beale's madrigal, "Come, Let Us Join the Roundelay" (with, as an encore, " This Pleasaunt Monthe of Maie"), and the hunting chorus, "The Hunt is Up" (Hatton). Messrs. Coward (alto), Pownall (tenor) and Hilton (bass) and Masters Leonard Hubbard and Alfred Boughton gave an artistic reading of Allen's quintette, "I Love My Love," repeating the last verse in response to loud recalls. The catch, "Poor Thomas Day" (Harrington), received an inimitably humorous and clever rendering at, the hands of Messrs. Coward, Pownall and Hilton, and had to be supplemented with the Earl of Mornington's droll catch, " 'Twas You, Sir." This also resulted in much laughter and loud applause. The remaining concerted numbers were a melodious vocal waltz, " Blow, Soft Winds" (Dr. Chas. Vincent), admirably sung by the boys of the party, and the encore number which they were called upon to give, Brewer's " Pack Clouds Away." The little singers showed such confidence and sang so beautifully that their reception was justly an enthusiastic one. Madame Marie Hooton, who was in better voice- than on the previous night, was in consequence enabled to do herself far more justice. She gave a magnificent rendering of Von Stutzmann's curious, but hauntingly pretty solo, " A Russian Love Song." and was vociferously encored, giving in response a charming delivery of the well-known Scotch song, Barbara Allen." Later Murne. Ilooton sang with exquisite expression Arthur Pease's lullaby, " 6li, Hush Thee, My Baby," and this time as a concession to her audience's loudlyexpressed recall she gave as the encore the favourite Irish ballad, " Kiliarney," in which she thoroughly charmed her listeners. Mr. Edward Bransoombe sang with uncommon feeling "Ernest Newton's ■ pathetic song, " Ai'sa Mine." The artiste's singular power of imparting real soul into his vocal music was eloquently shown in this fine performance. His auditors would not be denied the encore, and Mr. Branscombe acceded to their wishes, giving an admirable rendering of Moore's "The Meeting of the Waters." Mr. Herbert Hilton's bass solo, "The Diver" (Loder), revealed the great range of his musical voice, and he was warmly applauded. Master Leonard Hubbard's solo, " The Bird and the Rose" (Amy Horrocks), was one of the gems of the evening and was followed by an enthusiastic encore, to which he -gave a bright rendering of the old song, "Cherry Ripe." Mr. Percy Coward (alto) made an excellent impression in'his solo, "Sally in Our Alley," whilst his sinjpn<" of the encore number, " I'll Sing Thee Songs of Araby," was a real pleasure to listen to, being far and away his best solo effort. Mr. Dudley Oauston, in response to numerous requests, repeated his humorous musical sketch, " The Musical Village," which was so clever and funny that it caused roars of laughter. The last opportunity of ■hearing this talented and versatile party of singers will occur to-ninrht, when the last concert of the season will be given. There will be an entire change of programme on this occasion also. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. At the City Hall last night Misses Ida Roslyn and Vera Ivearns and Messrs. Chas. Howard and Jack Kearns reappeared and were accorded hearty welcomes. Mr. Frank Graham and the other members of the company were also well received, and a pleasant, entertainment was thoroughly enjoyed. "STABAT MATER," In addition to Rossini's popular oratorio, " Stabat Mater," to be presented at His Majesty's Theatre on Good Friday night. Madame Lilian Tree will sing "Ave Maria" (Gounod), with violin obligate by Miss Doris Boult. Miss maud Tobias will sing "Thcra is a Green Hill Far Away" (Gounod). Mendelssohn's "If With All Your Hearts" will be sung by Mr. Frank Graham. Mr. Wilfred Manning will sing. " Thou Art Passing Hence, My Brother" (Sullivan). Mr. Rupert Mantell will sing " It is Enough" (Mendelssohn). Miss Doris Boult will play Raff's " Cavatina" and Vicuxtemps' "Reverie." " Stabat Mater,"' it is stated, will be presented on a scale of unusual excellence.

MANCHESTER UNITY OF ODDFELLOWS. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge was held in the lodgeroom, Lorne-street, last evening. There was a large attendance, and the quarterly balance-sheet was read and adopted bv the lodge. Seven members were initiated during the past quarter. The total receipts for the 12 weeks were £767 18s lid, while the disbursements were £606 lis 9d, among the latter items being sick pay, £104- 9s 2d, and doctors' salaries £102 18s 6d, the treasurer's balance at date of the £767 received being £360 6s 2d. The lodge is in a most healthy position, and during the past has largely' increased its membership, the majority of the entrants being particularly young men. The society is entering on its diamond jubilee year in the city of Auckland, and it is hoped and expected that the progress this coming year will show a considerable amount of vitality. One hundred and fifty pounds was recommended to be handed over to the trustees for investment, and the capital value of the lodge is over £22,000, one of the richest individual lodges, it not the richest, in the world. The trustees are Messrs. J. J, Holland, P. McNab and C. J. Strong.

REMUERA MUSICAL SOCIETY. The adjourned annual meeting of the Remuera Musical Society was held on Monday evening la.st in St. Mark's Hall. The statement of accounts showed the society bad made good progress during the year, and the prospects for the incoming season seem satisfactory. It was decided to resume practice on Monday evening, the 20th inst., when Joan of Arc" will be under rehearsal. STEELE-PAYNE BELLRINGERS. A sacred concert will be given by the Steele-Payne Bellringers at the Opera House on Good Friday night. The company are at present in the Waikato, where they have been drawing well. The programme selected for Good Friday consists of part songs, solos, duets, trios, and selections on the violin, mandoline, banjo, glassophono, and handbells, while Miss Maude Payne's violin solos. Miss Lizzie Payne's sleigh-hell items, and Miss Agnes Rahilly's elocutionary efforts, are said to be special features in an interesting and enjoyable evening's entertainment. SUNDAY-SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. The celebration of the anniversary of the Franklin Road Primitive Methodist Sundayschool, which was commenced with very successful services in the church on Sunday last, was continued last evening, when a publio tea for adults and a public meeting were held. _ Theie were large attendances a* each gathering. Addresses were given at the meeting by the Revs. A. North and W. S. Potter, and Mr. J. Watkinson. Mrs. P. Whitaker sang a solo, Mrs. Leddiard gave a recitation, and special hymns were sung by the scholars. Tho annual report, which was read, was of a very favourable nature. The scholars' tea will be held this evening, and will be followed by a lantern entertainment. NEWTON BAND OF HOPE. The monthly entertainment in connection with ' the Newton Baad of Hope was held in the Foresters' Hall last evening, when the president (Mr. D. Goldie) presided, and a temperance address was given by Mr. C. H. Poole. In the musical programme Miss Ella Bach played the pianoforte overture, whilst songs were rendered by Mrs. A. F. Burnett, JMiss L. Trevelyan, Messrs. Hilton King, J. Smithson, H. T. King, and J. Smithson. A duet was given by the Misses J. Smith and Amy Woodman, Miss Hilda Rossec played a violin solo, and humorous recitations were contributed by Mrs. Burnett and Mr. H. Jordan. ' '