THE PALMER-BEAUMONT COMPANY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9947, 16 January 1894, Page 3

THE PALMER-BEAUMONT COMPANY.

There was a large audience in the Garrison Hall, all parts of the building being well patronised, last evening, on the occasion of tho second concert given in Duaedin by tho PalmerBeaumont Coaeert Company, and the entertainment, though one or two causes militated against it 3 complete success, wa3 of a high order and thoroughly enjoyable. Mrs Palmer's first solo was Gounod's lovely " Berceuse," to which Mr Lemmone contributed a very tasteful

iiute obbiigato, and she gave a decidedly sweet rendering of it, thougb, on account of her having suddenly been attacked by hoarseness, attributed to the change in the weather, the song proved gomewbatr exhausting to the vocalist, who, under the ci:cumstances, natutaily refused an encore. In the second part Mrs Palmer, playing her own accompaniment, contributed Linley s song " I cannot mind my wheel," which iibe rendered with such exquisite feelieg that the audience were fairly enabled to realise wii&ttc-ars in the voice mean. Again Mrs i'e.\mnt dtciitic-d au encore, bub it may be hoped Umt she will bo prevailed upon again to give the plaintive song in Duuedin. Bliss Mftggie Stirling, who«e voice fortunately was not at all affected by tbo weather, provided one of the tteeta of the concerts in her really admirable siagiig of lilumenthal's "Sunshine and rain,", sad »s an encore the gavp, with great Jeelisg, " We'd belter, bide a wee." Her next solo wus " Twickenham Ferry," to which »!bo her fresh voice was admirably suited, and a wholly eueeessful version of the song elicited loud demands for a repeat number, in compliance vfi'-h which she sang "Killarney." Although there were traces of huskiuess in his voice, slid Uthough he hed still to resort slightly to falß'ttto, Mr Armes Beaumont was in much belter voice Mian at the previous concert, and in bin rendering of Adams's song " The Garonne" ho was heard to considerable advantage. Bo was accorded the compliment of a very warm recall, and gave " Sly pretty Jane" as the added number. Mr Beaumont subsequently sang Randegger's "Sunshine and shade" iv an effective, manner. Mr A. H, Oee Again claimed, a very largo share at tbe liqueurs 0 J the evpning,

Though he was troubled with a cold, he was signally successful in Emanuel's powerfully written descriptive song, ".The Desert," to which a charming accompaniment is provided. Mr Gee's reading of this number was distinctly fine, and his singing of it was a splendid declamatory eifort, which evoked enthusiastic plaudits. The vocalist was evidently disinclined to give an encore number, but the audience were persistent, and yielding the point, he gave a capital rendering of " The Vicar of Bray." His version of "The King's Minstrel" in the second part (n, piano and harp accompaniment being provided) was another j fine eifort on his part, and in response to the clamours of his hearers he repeated portion of the song. The excessive heat played some curious tricks with Mr Barker's harp. On his reaching the hall in the eveniDg he found that no fewer than 21 strings had been snapped—MiGee is the authority for the statement—and one snapped also during the performance of Mr Barker's solo, which had to be. interrupted while the mischief was repaired. The harpist was thus placed at a disadvantage, but his mastery of the instrument was well manifested in his artistic playing of Thomas's " Autumn," to which he granted an encore, plajing an old Welsh melody, "Gwenith Gwyu." Later on in the evening, when Messrs Lemmone and Barker appeared to give a duet for flute and harp, a sharp reportindicated that another string of the latter instrument had snapped—whereat Mrßarkerlookedmuchannoyed; butitsabsence did not affect the selection, a fantasia on Welsh airs, which was artistically played and secured an encore, whereupon they gave " The dream after the dance." Mr Lemmone's flute solos were excellently played and were greatly appreciated. A "caprice" by Briccialdi was the first of the selections he gave, and for an encore he played some variations on a familiar Scotch air, while his second solo was Popp's "Polka caprice." The quartets " Sweet and low" and "Hark, the lark," were contributed by Mrs Palmer, Mies Stirling, Messrs Beaumont and Gee at the beginning of the concert, and " Dame Durden" as tho closing item. The duet "Maying" was sung by Mrs Palmer and Mr Beaumont, and the trio " 0, lovely peace," by Miss Stirling, Messrs Beaumont and Gee, the latter being a very meritorious item. The company will give another concert to-morrow night.