ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Thf.kf was not a vacant seat in the.Opera House last evening, when a competition for amateur singers was conducted by Mr. Leonard Nelson, the comedian now appearing at the Opera House. The competition was for a prize of two guineas, and competitors had to sing one of .Mr. Nelson's songs. Eight young men, all possessed •of very indifferent voices, faced the audiJ ence, and their efforts were productive of 'much amusement. There was. however, j an almost entire absence of the usual tangible forms of "appreciation" from the ! audience, and only one of the singers was [rewarded with a bouquet in the form of I a bunch of carrots. : ' Mr, Bill Bailey " j was loudly acclaimed the sinner by the audience for his singing of "Mr. Booze." land Mr. W. Jameson and Mr. W. Ward j were equal for the special prize awarded. 'J he various vaudeville items provided by the regular company were well received. and Mr. Leonard Nelson himself was com- ; polled to occupy the stage for about half,an hour. On Friday next another competition will be held, when competitors ! will be permitted to select any song 'hey choose. I TABERNACLE ORGAN RECITAL. The first public recital on the pine organ j which was recently installed in the Baptist I Tabernacle, will be given on Tuesday 'evening. The services of the citv organist, Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, "have .been secured, and a most attractive programme has been selected by him for the | recital. It will include three movements from Mendelssohn's "Sonata No. 1," two ; compositions by Schubert, the gavotte I from Bach's sixth sonata for violoncello, and three numbers by the organist himself. Arrangements have been made with I Miss Jessie Bartlett, who secured the I honours in the contralto class at the Auckland competitions, to sing two solos. The proceeds of the entertainment will be devoted to the renovation and organ fund.

WIELAERT-PECHOTSCH CONCERT. The Wielaert-Pechotsch combination provided an excellent concert last evening in the Town Hall concert chamber. There was a small attendance. One of the very best items provided was Herr Pechotsch's violin rendering of the second and third movements of Mendelssohn's Concerto. Herr Pechotsch played splendidly, and was received with every sign of satisfaction. Mr. Philip Newbury and Madame Wielaert were in good voice, and they wero enthusiastically received. Miss 'Mabel Seccombe was well received for her pleasing contralto items, and Herr Wielaert's pianoforte solos were much appreciated, while Mr.' Harris earned much'applause for his various recitations. Another fine programme will be presented to-night. ORGAN RECITAL The municipal organ recital will be given in the Town Hall to-night, when the city organist will play a popular programme from the works of Bach, Guilmant, Bendel and his Fantasie on National Airs. "THE MESSIAH." The Auckland Choral Society's production of Handel's "Messiah," which takes place in the Town Hall on Tuesday, December 23, promises to be a musical treat. Two soloists specially engaged from Australia, will arrive shortly, and Miss Mina Caldow, who has scored success in Wellington, has also been engaged for this work. Madame Evelyn Selig, from Brisbane, is reputed to have a fine soprano voice, suitable to the singing required of her for oratorio work, and Mr. Andrew Black, the oratorio basso, is 'Weil known. The tenor solo work has been entrusted to Mr. Philip Newbury. The box plan of reserved seats opens' at Wildman and Arty's on Wednesday next.

ROYAL HIPPODROME.. ~. A buck-jumping contest will take place at the Roval Hippodrome at the Exhibition at eight o'clock this evening. A gold medal will be given to the local rider who successfully manages to control the "outlaw " horses. Some fine feats of horsemanship will be shown by the champion tough rider, Alex. Reed. New acts will.also beintroduced by the circus company. A matinee will be given at 3 p.m. to-day. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS."' The current programme at the Queen's Theatre attracted a large audience ' last evening. The anniversary of the opening of .'the Globe Theatre was celebrated yesterday, when large audiences witnessed each production of the appropriate programme submitted. A highly-satisfactory audience was present at the Lyric Theatre last evening. An absorbing dramatic ■ study entitled " The Bonds of Marriage" is the star feature of the current programme at the King Oeorge Theatre-. A wide range of subjects is included in the programme to be shown to-night at the Royal Albert Hall. The comprehensive programme shown this week at the King's Theatre attracted another large audience last evening. The established popularity of the Newton Picture Palace was again, demonstrated throughout yesterday, when continuous streams' of people visited the theatre. A programme of exceptional merit is being shown this week at the West End Theatre.

PRINCES RINK. The Princes Rink, in Victoria Street West, will reopen on Saturday evening next, at 7.30 p.m. Mr. H. Wilson will be floor manager, and music will bo supplied by the rink's late orchestra.