Last Night's Concert.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 5953, 24 May 1894, Page 3

Last Night's Concert.

The attendance at the Mnsical Society's concert, given at the Pobttc Hall last night in aid of the WeOer Fond, was not so numerous as the object and its musical merit deserved. There were, however, L 9 9s fid taken at the doors, and, in addition, a largo number of tickets were sold, many of which, probably, were not used. The programme opened with a string quartette by the Messrs Jones (3) and Mr T. H. Kemshed. which was a pleasant, lively contribution. Then followed a number of items, both varied and attractive. The glees, which were suns; by a Urge chorus, were the ulil favorites, "Now tamp," "Venetian boatman's evening song," "Allegiance we swear," and "Good night, beloved." These, though the time for preparation had been short, were sung remarkably wall, the solos being nicely sustained in Bishop's two glees by Miss Grenfetl. A sonir, " Forget, forgive," by Mrs Lynch, with violin obbligato, elicited enthusiastic applause, and the evergreen "Killarney" w:w given as an encore piece. Mr Weymouth's "Out on the deep"— a tine rollicking song—was sung characteristically. Mr M'Leod's cornet was hoard to exceptional advantage in the popular melody "The Holy City." " Remember me no more," was sung by Miss Grenfell with exceeding care and nicety, and so was Smarts grand trio, "Queen of the Night,' by Mrs Goold, Miss Oitt'ord, and Mr Rose. _ Miss Maggie Ramsay was given a reception the warmth of which has seldom been equalled in Oamaru, for, though comparatively small. the audience was enthusiastic as well as appreciative. After a feeling rendering of Sullivan's "Will he come?" she was compelled to respond to a most pronounced encore, which she did by singing "Two is company." The concert introduced to the public a new contralto—Mrs Simons, whoso initial effort, " Cleansing fires," proved her to possess a voice of remarkably pure quality and power. The audience exhibited their appreciation of the two bracketed items, "The gipsy rondo" and "The Last Rose of summer," by Mrs C, W. Cooke (piano) and Mr G. Jones (violin), by treating them to a vigorous re-demand, which was gratified by the performance of " Caller Herrin'. " Miss Ramsay's song, Dolby's "Out on the Rocks," was quite as successful a3 her previous efforts, her ricfc lower notes being used with telling effect, and though in response to a recall, she sang " I couldn't, could I i" the audience emphatically demanded more, and were only pacified by an explanation from the conductor that Miss Ramsay had not brought any more encore songs with her. Mr Rose sang with finish and expression the good old song " Kathleen Mavourneen," and, in response to a call for more, he gave Tosti's "For Ever and for Ever." Then came the well-known duet from Norma, which was sang by Mrs Lynch ami Miss Gifford. and in which the flexibility of the soprano and the fall quality <>f the contralto were prominently brought out. The last item in the programme, "Good night," having been sung, the National Anthem followed, and a most successful concert came to a close. Mrs Cooke played all the accompaniments with her customary exactitude, and of coarse the Society's conductor (Mr Rose) conducted and directed the whole of the proceedings. It is well worthy of mention that the Garrison Band turned out in goodly numbers to lend eclat to the occasion by playing some good lively march music outside the hall prior to the commencement of the programme.