THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 22 July 1880, Page 2

THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

A very good indication of the general bent of popular taste in matters musical was given by the unusually well filled Hall last night, when Wallace's ever fresh and new " Maritana" was presented by the Philharmonic Society. Before glancing briefly at the several items on the; programme, we must congratulate the soloists on the evident pains taken by them to render their various pieces correctly. There was well-marked ©spri£ da corps, evinced by every performer, the result of which was manifested in the general excellence attained. The choruses i were throughout taken with a precision, and elan that showed diligent practice Some of the effects were very fine, notice-*, ably the " Angelus," sung by Miaa Ei. Lemon and Messrs. Fraser and K. taken partly as a trio, sqpjpoxtod bychorus, seated. In this psece Miss E,. Lemon made' her first appearance before, the public. Hct voice is clear melodious, a«d we hope to hear hw agaia. The finale to the second act eowwneedl rather unsteadily, but the adagio u What mystery" was very prettily Tendered, and the " piu presto," u Ah, what terrors." went capitally, Mr?. Brunton sang the romance, with ohorus, " It was a knight " very correctly, as also was the case with Mrs, Fraser in " 'Tis the harp in the air,** The duet " Of fairy wand," graceful anc\ airy in character, suited Miss ISardy an (J Mr. E. Booth, who were wwmly applauded at the finish. To Misw ©ifford was give® "Alas! those an air ki>owa everywhere, simple, and yet difficult in its very simplicity. The s,ong could hardly have been rendered more correctly, and only lacked a certain touching pathos which requires long experience or an in» | tensely passionate nature to display. Tho ;trio " Turn 0.13, old Time" (Mrs. Kinnear : land Messrs. W. Fraser and I\ "Williams) followed, the different parts keeping very well together. Then came, " "¥os, let me like a soldier fall" (Mr. A. Fraser), and the ballad "in happy moments," sung with eoijsiderable taste by Mr. Walls $ and the first part came to an end wth, quartette and chorus " Health to the* lady," in which Miss Ferens took the part of Maritana. ' In the second portion of tha programme, Mr. E. Booth took the first, song, " Hear me, gentle Maritana," really well. Hi 3 voice ia exceptionally round ana sonorous, and his ideas of rendering are artistic With a little njore car®, iu pronunciation. he will' command a very high position anibiig bass <soloists? "He was succeeded hy Mr. Fraser in "■ Thero is a flower ttat bloometh." This was his moafc successful' effort during the evening, and was wajmly applauded, " Scenes that are brightest" was taken by Mrs. Kinnear. We do, nest remember ever to have heard this lady to better advantage. The song suited her admirably, the deep emotion pervading this exquisite musical gem was* felt by the whole audience, who were afc one with the author and the singer, Mr, J. Booth gave " This heart by woe o"ertaken,"!a very diffiQult cavatina, in a style which bore witness to careful study. He also took part in the duet "I am tha King ofi Spain," with Mr. W. Fraser, tho I wind up of which gained hearty applause. Miss NJ Hardy's bright soprano filled the hall in ! " Oh, Maritana," 1 which duet she sang in oonjjunction with Mr, W. Fraser. "We have already favorably oommeoted on this lady's singing of the aame number at a previous concert. Mrs. Williams and MiasGifford in "•Sainted Mother" were honored with an encore* The enthusiasm of the audience could »ot be f restrained), ajqdjihe, vocalists therofocQ repeated the last portion. lathis case if 9

KTconcarwith the cox pcpuh. These 'rt* have muchimproyed, and their voices A naturally and harmoniously. The i! t "With rapture glowing, apiece K& intractable passages,. was taken in ua l finished style by Miss N. Hardy; J?" jlaritana" bringing perhaps the " U ; D ;oyable of the Philharmonic Sopntertainments to a close. Mrs. nlaved throughout the difficult ' .killed conJ-* 0 . F . no small degree to the success '"f/cert'ormance. Mr. Finch fiUed his