MR PARKER’S CLASSICAL CONCERT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 770, 3 December 1886, Page 12

MR PARKER’S CLASSICAL CONCERT.

The exceptionally fine programme of classical music announced by Mr Robert Parker for Tuesday night’s concert drew a crowded audience, the Tinakori-road Churchroom being packed in every part. The concert sustained a severe disaster in the sudden and severe illness of the performer' who was to have been its chief attraction, Mr F. M. Wallace being confined to his room with an attack of pleurisy. This necessitated several alterations in the programme. The instrumental numbers were interesting and well chosen. Prominently must b 8 named Beethoven’s pianoforte quartet in E flat, the executants being Miss Williams (piano) Mr Connolly (violin), Mr Schwartz (viola) and Mr Hamerton (’cello). This was excellently played, special praise being due to Mis* Williams for her finished and delicate manipulation and refined phrasing. The same accomplished pianiste was associated with Mr Robert Parker in Antonin Dvorak’s quaint and original Sclavonic Dances, which were admirably interpreted by both performers. Another attractive number was Gounod’s “Marche Solennelle,” for harp and pianoforte, in which Miss C. Larnach made her first appearance at a Wellington concert, playing with excellent taste and finished execution. It is needless to say that Mr Parker, at the piano, was an able coadjutor. The same two performers were associated with Mr Schwartz in a fine and broad Largo by Handel. Miss Hamerton, in Chopin’s G-flat Etude and Heller’s “Truite,” proved herself a very skilful and capable pianiste, both being executed with thoroughly musician-like finish. In place of Ernst’s Elegie, which was to have been given by Mr Wallace, Mr Hamerton played Burgmuller’s melodious Nocturne in F very well and expressively, the breadth and purity of his tone being much admired. One of the most striking novelties in the programme was the “ Minnespiel,” by Hofmann (op. 42), a set of elaborate waltzes for four solo voices and pianoforte duet. This is a highly original and somewhat extraordinary work, the progressions, modulations, and sequences being remarkably novel and unfamiliar, while the intervals and time are “ catchy ” in the extreme. The parts were cast as follow : Miss Campbell (soprano), Mrs Barron (contralto), Mr Rous Marten (tenor), Mr R. Parker (bass); pianoforte, Misses Williams and Hamerton. Considering the excessive difficulty of the music, it was given with fair success. Another noteworthy feature was Mendelssohn’s duet, “The Sabbath Morn,” very pleasingly sung by two small choir boys, F. Warren and J. Plimmer, the winners of this year’s choir scholarships, in aid of which fund the concert was given. Callcott’s fine old glee “The Red Cross Knight” was capitally sung, the St Paul’s choir boys taking the treble part very effectively. Two other part-songs were given, Hatton's “Softly fall," and Bishop’s “Grey Friar,” the singers being Misses Campbell and Williams, Mrs Parker, Mrs Parsons, Mrs Barron, Messrs Hickson, Gore, Rous Marten, F. V. Waters and Parker. The vooal solos comprised “The Storm” (Hullah), “Lullaby”

Brahms), “Dedication ” (Franz), all very prettily sung by Miss Gore ; Handel’s fine air “Farewell, ye limpid springs” (Jephtha), given by Mrs Parsons with her accustomed charm ; “The Old and the Young Marie,” a graceful song by Cowen, expressively interpreted by Mr Gore ; and Montrose’s Love Song, one of Maude Valerie White’s many felicitous creations, to which Mr F. Y. Waters did full justice. The concert as a whole must be characterised as a most successful one. Perhaps the programme was almost too liberal on the score of length, lasting until half-past 10, although no encores were permitted, but the audience continued attentive and enthusiastic to the close.

Messrs Macmahon and Leitch’s company have held the Te Aro Opera House during the week, and have performed to reasonably good houses. Last Friday night witnessed the last presentation of “ His Natural Life,” which, as a drama, has many superiors. Poor Clarke’s work does not seem to he readily adaptable to stage business. “His Life” was succeeded by the sensational melodrama “ Flyirig Scud,” one of Boucicalt’s best efforts. It had a run of four nights, and was succeeded last night hy the “Lights o’ London,” a play familiar with Wellington playgoers, The “ Scud ” was a success, being exceedingly well mounted and staged. It is eminently spectacular. The Garrison Amateur Dramatic Club, assisted by Miss Georgie Smithson, will give a performance of Ayres and Blake’s threeact comedy “ His Own Guest,” at the Theatre Royal, on Thursday, December 22. Seats may be reserved at Mr Holliday’s, and stall and pit tickets can be obtained at Mr Willeston’s, Lambton-quay. The Amateur Operatic Society resumed the production of the opera “ Les Cloches de Corneville ”at the Theatre Royal last evening week to a large and appreciative audience. The performance, which was for the benefit of Mr Hautrie West, the conductor, was under distinguished patronage, his Excellency the Governor and a party from Government House being present. The opera, as then performed, must ba considered one of the most successful amateur musical efforts which have taken place in Wellington. The music, which is always light and melodious, was given with an amount of dash and spirit surprising amongst amateurs, and several imperative encores had to be responded to. The opera was repeated last Friday and Saturday nights, and drew well on both occasions.