MARIST BROTHERS’ SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8964, 15 April 1890, Page 5

MARIST BROTHERS’ SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT.

The bills which described the entertainment in aid of the Marist Brothers’ School at the Opera House last night as “ the moat interesting and enjoyable entertainment ever given in this city,” were not perhaps literally correct, but they were very nearly so ; for the concert was really an admirable one, in which several of the leading vocalists of the city took part. Miss Katharine Hardy, for instance, sang “ Killarney ” and “Tell me my heart,” with excellent taste, and was in each case awarded an encore. Miss Hardy was also associated with Miss Jaoomb and Messrs E, J, Hill and Prouee in the partsong, “The last glimpse of Erin,” though that was not quite bo well sung as it might have been. Mfr E. J. Hill, who was in spiendid voice, sang “From Inchegala all the way,” artistically; and Mr Prouse’s contributions “Colleen Bawn ” and the vigorous “Here upon my vessel’s deck ” were both admirably given, though Mr Prouse was probably heard to most advantage in “Eileen Alannab,” which he sang in response to an encore. Miss Ross sang “ The wearing of the green ” with appropriate feeling, and Miss McCarthy “ Dublin Bay ” very sweetly. Miss Jaoomb did quite a lion’s share of the evening’s work, for in addition to playing the accompaniments and singing in Glover’s duet, “I heard a voice,” with Miss rloss., she contributed a well played pianoforte solo —a selection of Irish airs—in consequence of the absence, through indisposition, of Mrs Walsh, whose name was set down for the item. “ The last rose of summer ” was sung as a part-song, but not in faultless style, by Misses McCarthy and McDonald and Messrs Connolly and Dunne. Variety and charm were added to the entertainment by recitations by Messrs S. Ross and F. W. Haybittle, and a violin solo by Mr Connolly. The latter item was an unquestionable treat, and Mr Connolly (whose selection was from “ William Tell ”) did excellent work, as well in execution as in taste. The two recitations were unusually well done. Mr Ross, whose piece was “ How Father Dan gained the day,” showed considerable ability as a comedian and a good deal of power both in pathos and humour. Mr Haybittle recited “The defence of Lucknow ” with great dramatic force, and. well deserved the encore he got. The pupils of the school also took their part In the programme. Fifty sturdy little Irishmen sang “ The *harp that once through Tara’s halls ” and “The meeting of the waters,” as a partsong, to begin with, and subsequently they finished the entertainment with “ The Mulligan Guards,” a realistic represen taticn of the pleasures and horrors of the battle-field, the troubles of the commissariat (under “Captain Boycott,” if you please) and the efficacy of judicious retreat. Finally Mr W. D. Lyon supplied the comic element, and sang several songs in his very best style. The orchestra, under Mr Connolly, played two selections, one from “Norma” and the other from “The Mikado,” capitally. Let it be mentioned as a relevant, if unimportant circumstance, that the audience was a very large one. AH whe were present enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and certainly had a first-class entertainment provided for them. Doubtless the Marist Brothers’ school will receive from this concert the substantial assistance to which as a highly-deserving institution it is fairly entitled.