EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4308, 18 March 1901, Page 5

EVENING ENTERTAINMEN TS

THE IRISH CONCERT. j Irish music was de rigueur at the ! Opera House on Saturday evening. All the most popular airs of Irish minstrelsy were in evidence, and of course roused Ihc large audience to a high pitch of cn thusiasm. so that encores became the rule of the evening, to which there was not one exception. Amongst the singers was Hits Kate Connell, who gave three songs, the best of which was the plaintive “She is Far From the Land,’ 1 sung as it was with delightful expression. For tho encore, she repeated part of tho song. In ‘‘The Meeting of the Waters,” 'Miss Connell was not so

convincing as usual, as her style gave the impression of fatigue, but in the encore piece, ‘'Believe Me, if all those Endearing Young Charms,” she was excellent. Madame Evelcon Carlton sang “Rory O’Moore” with great piquancy, and emphasised this good effect in the encore song “Barney O’Hea,” She was like wise recalled for “Killarney,” repeating tlie last verse. “Kathleen Mavour-nes-n” was tastefully sung by Miss Violet Mount, who was also heard to advantage in the encore number ‘ The Last Rose of “The Minstrel Boy” is a song which does not suit a light soprano voice, but the charming ballad “Kate O’Shane,” in this case the encore piece, was given by Miss Mount with exceeding sympathy and judgment. Miss Julia Moran, who produces a surprisingly full

and round tone from the violin, played expressively and with a fine grasp of the composer’s meaning Fanner’s setting of “The Last Rose of Summer,” and for an encore piece, after once bowing her acknowledgments, “The Meeting of the Waters,” playing in the last-mentioned solo her own accompaniment to the melody, and giving thus a remarkably skilful exposition of double-stopping. Miss Beatrice Vartha’s pianoforte solo, an arrangement of Irish airs by D© Sivrai, was notable for graceful technique xs well as expression, the theme being described with excellent judgment. The polish of tho pianist’s touch was oven

more notable in the '“Tremolo” by Gottschalk, which she played when recalled. The other instrumental soloist, also encored, was Mrs Walter Murdoch, who in her harp selection, a setting of Irish songs, showed a vigorous command of .the. instrument, a good style, and a breadth of lone not often heard amongst harpists. Mr E._ J. Hill caused enthusiasm by his spirited singing of “Tho Dear Little Shamrock,” repeating the last verse when encored. His song “Doreen” also pleased the audience. His clear enunciation is always a notable feature of Mr Hill’s singing. Sir W. B. Cadzow, who has a sweet tenor voice, though it is not well produced, quite caught the enthusiasm of tho audience with “The Wearing of the Green,” and was loudly recalled. Ho replied with “Tho Low Backed Car,”

which provoked even greater applause, owing in no small degree to a local allusion, and the singer repeated the last verse. Even then the audience insisted on hearing more, and Mr Cadzow gave the operatic air “No! My Courage.” His first solo was “Molly Bawn,” for which, also, he was encored. Mr ,G. D. Cronin, formerly of Christchurch, was encored for “Off to Philadelphia.” He sings with spirit, but was evidently nervous. Miss Lucy Fraser and Mr Mar tyn Hagan, for a duet* of the variety hall type, were loudly encored. Some selections were excellently played by an orchestra conducted by Mr P. J. Oakes. The accompaniments were chiefly played by Mrs Cadzow and Miss Vartha. The cup won at the Hibernian Society’s sports during the afternoon was to have been presented, but this could not be done, as the winner had had to leave for Blenheim. Mr George Fisher, M.H.R., in annoiuicing this fact, congratulated the society on the success of the sports and the concert.

THEATRE ROYAL. There was the usual big attendance at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. Long before eight o’clock there was only standing room, and. the ticket office was closed before the performance commenced. Mr George Dean, is more than a comic singer. He is a character actor of no little merit. Some of his sketches are extremely_diverting. Miss Olivo Lenton’s new songs are all sung with a finish and archness which prove most attractive. The Tylers, in their marvellous acrobatic performance, have greatly strengthened tho bill now being played nightly with such success by the company. Miss Lottie Lome is .a dashing vocalist and dancer. Mr John Coleman’s strong point is his dancing. The “scarecrow dance” is one of the most popular items in the bill. . Mr Frank Clarke and his merry partner helped to keep the audience amused. Much of the smoothness of the performance is due to tho excellent work done by the orchestraCHORAL HALL. , Fuller’s Empire Vaudeville Company gave a complete change of programme at the Choral Hall on Saturday night, when an immense audience filled this popular place (of amusement; J ' Miss maud Fanning’s 'coon specialties are as attractive as ever, and the audience was imperative in its demands for encores. Messrs , Bluett and Williamson make two capital end men', and between them kept tho , Louse thoroughly amused. Miss Lena Young has • a good _ voice, which was heard to advantage in her selections, and her sister • Bessie, met with a good reception. That promising young serio-comic singci - . Miss Coralie Barlow, is rapidly becoming a favourite with the Choral Hall audiences. The music, under the direction of Mr. S. Ciniino, gave the utmost satisfaction. Mr W. B. Cadzow, tho well-known singer, will appear .. to-night with the company.

Miss Lorraine Tansley, who was* to have accompanied Miss Kate Oonnell in lier Southern tour, has left the company, and has accepted an engagement to travel with another concert company through New Zealand. To-morrow night the Gonzales, contortionists and song and dance artists, and Miss Norah Martin, a balladist, will appear with the Dis Gaiety Company at the Theatre Royal.