FAREWELL CONCERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7777, 22 January 1887, Page 3

FAREWELL CONCERT.

Although it is not pleasant to see our best ! singers leaving us, there can be no doubt that Mr H. W. Stockwell is doing wisely in seeking a more extended sphere for the exercise of his musical talents. He will be greatly missed here, and a striking proof of the estimation in which he is held was given by the crowded house at his farewell concert last night. His Excellency Sir William Jervois and suite were present, and the dress circle of the Lyceum was packed, while only a very few vacant seats were to be seen on the floor of the building. The entertainment was essentially a ballad concert, and the best amateur vocalists of Dunedin gave their services. The result was a rare success, very nearly every item on the programme being encored ; and not undeservedly, for the singers were one and all in good voice. Mr Stockwell, who naturally met with a cordial reception, sang " The Message " (Blumenthal) as his first solo in his best style, and gave Pinsuti's " Our Last Good-bye" in response to the encore. But this was a small part of his work. He joined Mrs Murphy and Mr H. Smith in a very prettily sung trio "Hawthorne in the Glade," and with Mr Jago gave an exceedingly spirited and expressive rendering of the well-known duet" Excelsior," Mr Stockwell, in addition to this, as the programme seemed progressing rather rapidly, interpolated another solo—Blumenthal's "My Queen," which, although it came at the end of a great deal of exertion, was sung without any sign of flagging. Mrs Murphy and Miss Coventry were the lady vocalists, and both sang exceedingly well. Their duet* "My boat is waiting," was remarkable for the good balance of the voices and the fine modulation with which it was given. Mrs Murphy was not encored for her solo " Dear Heart," possibly because the audience had almost grown tired of recalls, but it was nevertheless, perhaps, the most thoroughly artistic item of the whole programme. Miss Coventry's firm contralto sounded exceedingly well in " The Clang of the Wooden Shoon," and she supplemented this with a pretty rendering of "My Sweetheart" when a Boy." Mr Fraser was also imperatively encored for his singing of Denza's "Come to Me," and afterwards sang " Non c Ver," in fine styie. Mr Jago's contribution "My Life for Thee]" was a very popular number, and he gave j as his encore piece " The Ship's Fiddler," a I song well suited to his voice and style. Mr H. Smith's singing of "T?he Yeoman's Wedding" showed his voice to be in excellent condition, and he responded to an encore with Pinsuti's ■" Falconer" It was left, however, for Mr Densem to hit the taste of the audience to the extent of obtaining a double encore. The, remarkably rich and pleasant tone of his voice and his good expression were at once recognised in his singing of " The New Brigade," and he improved this good impression by a particularly effective rendering of the pretty music to which G. R. Sims' poem." " The Lifeboat" has been set. Mr A. J. Barth played a composition of Ketten's and one of Chopin's waltzes as pianoforte Solo's,- and was heartly applauded for his clever execution. lie and Mr J. C. Norman also played an overture by Weber as a duet, and Mr Norman ably officiated as accompanist throughout the evening