MR BILL’S FAREWELL CONCERT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3007, 19 December 1896, Page 2

MR BILL’S FAREWELL CONCERT.

. The farewell of Wellington to Mr Alfred Hill last night was a great one. The Exhibition concert hall was thronged, and the reception given to Mr Hill’s cantata “ Hinemoa,” performed for the third time in this city within one month, was as enthusiastic as over, and encores wore numerous. Hr Hill conducted, and Mr Hotop was leader of the orchestra. Tho first pact of tho concert was made,up of miscellaneous items. Madame Musin'was encored for “With Verdure Clad,” and sang a valae song by Arditi, and M. Muain was also recalled for his berceuse and tho arrangement by Wilhelmj of Wagner’s pvoisliod, complying ‘with ■a mazurka composed by himself. Herr Seharf was recalled for his piano solo, a . study by Bubcnstoin. The Wellington Orchestral Society performed an overture, MrJV-H. O. Schwartz conducting, and Mr Maughaii Barnett’s Society sang their conductor's graceful dhorild “ Earl Haldau's Daughter." • Before tho last chords of "HineiUcA,” Mr Gill advanced with Mr Barnett, arid said that as onairniau dt the Concert Committee ho had td perform the very pleasing ceremony of handing to Mr Alfred Hill a purse of 70 sovereigns as the resiilt of that concert, and as Un- expression of their goddwill towards him and r their wishes folds futdre,. Success. (Prolonged, applause.) He thanked the Executive of the Exhibition for their kindness in placing the entertainment ball at tlioir disposal free of cost, 1 and they also thanked the Musih Company, the orchestra, and the chorus, all df whom had’ given thrir services willingly. Mr Gill spoke * highly of Mr Hill’s work, and especially df tUo work they hdd. Beard that night, and said they would follow Mr Hill’s career with the greatest interest. (Applause.) A number of the friends of Mr Alfred Hill mot at tho Royal Oak Hotel after the concert to wish him the soloists in ‘‘Hinomoa,” tho members of the Farewell Concert Committee and M. and Madame Masin wore amongst those present. Mr W. Gill, who presided, proposed -the heaPh of Mr Hill in a graceful speech, and tho toast was received with groat enthusiasm, Mr Hill,iU toplyiiig,,returned bis heartfelt thanks for all the kind things said that night about “ HinerUoa.” He thought tlm cantata was unworthy tho very great enthusiasm lavished upon it—(“ No, no!”)—but he was now going to a wider field, and ho hope! with added experience to compose something still better than- the work they had heard that night. The health of Mr Arthur Adams, who wrote the words of **Hinemoa," was proposed by Mr Hill, sent., and also warmly received. Mr Adams replied in appropriate words, and said ho hoped to collaborate with Mr Hill in gome future work. (Applause.) M. Maughaa Barnett proposed the health of Mr Murin, and the latter, in responding to the toast, said that in Messrs Alfred Hill and Barnett Wellington had had two of the leading musicians of Australasia. (Applause.) The toast of the .Chairman's health was enthusiastically greeted, Mr GUI replying in brief and-well-chosen words, and Mr J; W. Hill responded to the toast of “ The Ladies," and spoke of ■'what Madame Carlton and Madame Marin had done for muric. (Applause.) Mr P. Nolan Zealand Tulsa), in the cobrse of a reply to the toast of “ The Press,” said that wherever Hinomoa*’ was performed it would redound to the credit of Mr Hill, and through him to the credit of New, Zealand. Mr Hill loft by tho Mawhera at midnight for Nelson.