AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3440, 23 May 1898, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

“SONGS FROM TH3 OLD COUNTRY." The poets and composers of England, Ireland and Scotland have never found a better exponent in this colony than Mr Durward Lely. On Saturday night at the Opera House he presented a characteristically national and really charming programme, which found ready acceptance with the audience assembled. Indeed there seemed a fear of the singer’s good nature being imposed upon so numerous were tbe encores. By in* terspereing his songs with conversational sketches and anec totes racy of the various soils, but particularly of the Scottish, Mr Lely contrived to keep his hearers interested and amtuod. His principal contributions wore I-The old Irish song “ Savoutneen Dollish,** Moore’s “ Toe Meeting of the Waters," Riddell’s *‘ Scotland Yet," Sullivan’s “Tno Distant Shore," Hogg’s “ When the Kye Comes Hame," Adams* u By the Fountain/* Balfe’s setting of" Come into the Garden, Maud," \Yal* lace’s "Lot Mo Like A Soldier Fall h and "The Ldtd o’ Uockpen." Tbe last three songs tliet with an enthusiastic reception. Me Lely’s humorous depiction of the Laird o* Cookpou eliciting shrieks of laughter, aud his masterly singing of the esio.ing operatic number especially creating quite a furorst. Fraulein Fuchs also added to her laurels \ her opening violin aehtttion, Wienlawski’s difficult " BtmVoulp of Moscow," being played with suCh skill and feCliug As to render a recall unavoidable, And hep contribution of Raff’s fidulfol “ Cavatina " exhibiting such dOlicato and finished treatment with a mihuflum of effort as to earn an emphatic double encore. Miss Fuchs* accompaniments were skilfully and sympathetically played by Mr H. E. Gunter, a young pianist of much promise. After the concert a number of gentlemen belonging to the Caledonian Society entertained Mr Lely at supper in the Trooadero. Mr Wilsoti, president of the Society, occupied tho chair. Mr Wilson piopdaed the health of Mr LCly, expressing the gratification tint his Visit had caused among the large audiences which had |Ustened to his tinging and story telling, and , mentioning the pleasure afforded to the party present in having an opportunity of spending a coUple of hours in eodial intercourse with a fellow-countryman so gifted as a vocalist and such an excellent interpreter of Scottish song And story, Reference was also ipdde to, the extent df Mr Lely’s musical, repertoire The toast was cordially responded to, atid Mr Lely, in reply, spoke with warn! acknowledgment of the kind -reception lie ha,d experienced in each of the New Zealand towns which he had visited, and especially that of the present gathering, which be would long hold in grateful remembrance of the land of,the early sunrise. There was a gopd display of Scottish aneciote aud humour during tho evening, and the proceedings closed with the singing of “ Auld Lang Syne," led by Mr Lely. , _ Th.o Idst thfda appearances of .Mr? and Mrs Durward Lely and of the highly-gilted young artist whose exquisite violin-playing,excites such genuine admiration are announced. Tonight Mr L«ly will give his last Scotch entertainment, “ The Auld Scots Bangs," and to. morrow* in honour of jHer Majesty’s birthday, a nnval and patriotic programme, entitled "The Union Jack," will be presented. The farewell concert will be given on Wednesday, and on Thursday tho comp tny leaves foe Auckland, ea route for Syiney, whore Mr Lely has not yet appeared.

GEKS’KS’ BRIGHT BIGHTS. This clever little variety company appeared at the Exchange Hall on Saturday evening-, and fully sustained the favourable impression oreatoi on their first appearance. The members of the company wore heard to advantage in their several items, especially Mr Curran (a pleasing baritone), the Leuo Brothers, Messrs Lasker and Grey os and Misses Ethel Laurie and Lilian Moore. The popular concert to be held at the Skating Rink next Wednesday evening promises to be equal in every respect to its predecessors. 'ihp services of Miss Tansley (contralto) and Mies Daniels (soprano) have been secured. The management is making a specialty of the '‘comedy” part of the programme, and the best ot oomio singers and reciters will contribute items.