WELLINGTON ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6699, 6 October 1882, Page 3

WELLINGTON ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

This Society gave its opening concert before a large and select audience at the Athenaeum last n’ght week. As the name is likely to createa mi-conception, it should be explained that although the list of members includes a large • number of the beat amateur instrumentalists in the city, it also contains those of some excellent vocalists.' The orchestra comprised twenty-three performers, ‘Mr Robert Parker conducting. The programme was opened'by the orchestra playing the overture to Mozart’s ‘ Zauberfloete,” which is so well known that there is really no necessity for comment except so far as the performers are concerned, and hire we can only speak in terms of the highest praise, for a similar number of amateurs never played so harmoniously together in Wellington. The rendition evoked the most genuine applause. Mrs Levin sang “As when the dove,” from Handel’s “Acis and Galatea,” and received a most flittering and well-deserved encore. A part song, including “ Who is Silvia ? ’’ and “ See the Chariot at band,” was presented in such a manner as not only to indicate careful practice, but also-that the singers thoroughly understood, their parts. The same might he said with regard”to’the selections from Mendelssohn’s “ Lobgesang." The instrumentation in the “ Symphony in D ” (Haydn) was a perfect treat in all respects ■ but one, its great length being an objectionable feature. Hattou T s “ Tar’s Song,” by male voices, was perhaps the weakest item on the programme, yet, withal, well worth listening to. The twopart song (a) “ Zuleika and Hassan, * and (fi) song from Buy .Bias, by' Mrs Levin and Mr Stephens, , evoked the most enthus’astic applause,.“ See the rooks’ and “ O hush thee, my baby” being equally successful Probably none of those; present could help noticing tho powerful.. anil bell-like soprano voice of a young lady who has tiken a somewhat modest part in several similar concerts, but whom the eye readily singles out. Some disappointment was certainly caused when it became known that she did. not choose to delight the audience, with a solo. It is to be hoped that she will not long remain in the background, Mr Lang sang “ The Toreador s song” from “Carmen”—one of Bizet’s most admirable productions—his melodious voice being excellently Supported by the chorus. The overture to “ Titus” (Mozart) concluded a most enjoyable concert. ,