VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9576, 4 November 1892, Page 3

VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT.

The Ordnance Band were unfortunate in the respect that the vocal and instrumental concert held in the Garrison Hall last evening to provide funds to defray the expense of the band's visit to the forthcoming contest iv Wellington followed closely after a number of other concerts which have been largely patronised, for the attendance fell far short of what the merits of the entertainment justified. Though the programme would probably have been more popular from the point of view of the general public had it included a larger number of vocal items, it was attractive and well received. The Ordnance Band themselves, who auparently have gained a substantial addition'to their numbers, for they mustered about 25 strong, contributed five selections under the couductorship of Mr James Coombs. The contest quickstep, "Battle of Eureka" (Bulch), with which the programme was opened, was the band's best item in the lirst part. The attack was hold and effective, and the rendering generally was good. A selection of airs from " Semirarnide" (Rossini) was not so successful. The introductory trombone solo was well played, and so were the other solos, but though in the forte passages, as a rule, the bandsmen played admirably, their performance was not uniform, and in parts was even ragged. In a "Lonibardi" selection (Verdi) better results were achieved and praiseworthy attention was paid to the light and shade of the piece. In the second part the band gave a thoroughly good rendering of Round's "El Dorado" selection, which is to be played at the forthcoming contest, and they should be able to obtain a favourable report from the judges for their rendering of it. The concert waltz "Ma Vie" (Lumlye), which was the remaining baud item; was hardly so satisfactory, but was more than fairly well performed. A serenade fcr violin (Mr James Coombs), cornet (Mr Charles Coombs), and piano (Mrs C. Coombs) was an exceedingly enjoyable number, and the performers had to reappear, when they gave Gounod's " Serenade." Miss L. Treseder and Mr Arthur Salviui were the vocalists of the evening^ and the name of each was set down against two solos. Miss Treseder, whose singing is always pleasing, gave a very tasteful version of "The lost chord" (Sullivan), but declined the encore for which the audience were anxious, and subsequently she sang " Good-night, farewell," in which, also, she was heard to advantage. Signor Salvini's first solo was the ever-popular tenor song "My pretty Jane" (Bishop), to which he did full justice, and being imperatively recalled, he gave, as the added number, Hope Temple's " 'Tis all that 1 can say." In the second part he charmed the house with the now infrequently heard melody, " Sally in our alley," and au encore being again demanded, he responded with Sullivan's "Twenty years ago." The accompaniments were efficiently played by Mr A. F. Robertshaw.