ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4426, 5 August 1901, Page 5

ENTERTAIN MENTS.

THE JUBILEE SINGERS. McAdoo’s Jubilee Singers opened a sixnights’ season at the Opera House on Saturday night. Tho programme for tho first part comprised a collection of the quaintly-worded, wholly-tuneful and spirit-stirring camp-meeting melodies which in the old slavery days were used as the for outpouring repressed spiritual yearnings. Tho opening chorus “ Prepare Me ” was accorded a redemand, and throughout the whole fifteen numbers which wore given a similar exaction followed. Quite a number of old favourite tunes were given in the firstpart of the programme :—“ Potcr, Go Ring Dom Bells,” “In the Morning by do Bright-Light,” “Brother Michael, won't You Hand Down Dat Robe.” and “ I’m Rolling Through an Unfriendly World.” Mr E. M. McAdoo sang “ Asleep in the Deep ” with math expression, and with tones eminently suitable to the melody. Miss Gibbons, by special request, sang “ Palm Branches,” and the sonorous notes of the concluding strain wer 0 voiced by the singer in a way that aroused demonstrative approval from the audience. Tho medley of American, English, Irish and Scotch airs which began the second part of the programme was humorously arranged, and tastefully interpreted. Miss Dazalia Underwood was three times encored for her solo singing, and Mr R. H. Collins had a like honour for his song “ The Death of Nelson.” His encore number was entitled “ Just Because She Made Those Goo-Goo Eyes.” Mr Willis Gauze received tho hearty acknowledgments which always follow his clever female impersonations. Professor White received for his pianoforte solo, Liszt’s “Twelfth Rhapsody,” a hearty recall, to which he responded by playing a bright and rippling set of variations on “ The Swanoe River.” A male quartette by Messrs Collins. White, McAdoo and Nott was on e of the gem s of tho lengthy programme. To-night the programme will be repeated, and on Tuesday night an entirely new set of musical items will be given. THEATRE ROYAL. The Theatre Royal was crowded with an enthusiastic audience on Saturday night, when the present Gaiety Company gave another of its popular performances. To-night Mr Arthur Morley, the fine Australian basso, and Mr Les. Wharton, comedian, will make their first appearance in Wellington, and Messrs Harry Gray, Bob Hall and Tom Leonard will again re-visit the scene of their former successful appearances. CHORAL HALL. Tho Empire Vaudeville Company eno tered on its last six nights at the Choral Hall on Saturday evening. . On Wednesday a baby show will b« : held, and on Friday, the last night," a compli* mentary farewell benefit will be tendered to Mr John Fuller, junr. On that occasion a “beauty show” competition will take place. MR GEORGE MUSGROVE’S GRAND OPERA SEASON. The cast for tho opening performance of Mr George Musgrove’s Grand Opera Company is announced. The opera selected is “H Trovatore.” perhaps the most popular of Verdi’s works. Madame Slapoffski, as Leonora, and Signor Umberto Salvi, a s Manrioo, have met with great enthusiasm iiv Australia and Auckland, while the Aouzena of Miss Jansen created a furore everywhere. Madame Slapoffski and Signor Sain were principal members of the Carl Rosa Company and Miss Janson sang the contralto parts with the Melba-De Reske opera. Herr Max Eugen, the Count de Luna, 'was principal baritone of the Castle Square Opera Company in America. and Mr Charles Tilbury, Ferrando, waa principal bass of the Carl Rosa Company before joining Mr Musgrove’s forces. It is interesting to note that five nationalities are represented in the cast of the first night, though, of course, the opera will be sung in English. The box plan opens to-morrow morning at Holliday’s, and (special arrangements are made (announced in the advertisement) to avoid the crowding usual at the opening of first plans, and ensuring a strict adherence to the principle of first come first served.

Messrs Fuller and Sons issue an invitation to all old-age pensioners to attend the Choral Hall on Thursday night, when the balcony will be specially reserved for their use. •The cantata, “The Captive Maid of Israel” will be given, in costume, by St. James’s choir in the’schoolroom, Adelaide road, on Thursday and Friday evenings. The second annual “scciaP’of the Wellington and Suburbs United Dairymen’s Union will be held at the Victoria Hall, Adelaide road, on Wednesday evening.