AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14088, 17 December 1907, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

" THE MESSIAH."

ATJDA LOMA.V

PRINCESS THEATRE. The many varied and clevcir turns which f!0 to make up the programme o! Fullers' Vaudeville Company at the Prinecr.? Tiieatro were witnessed by a large audience last night. Watts mid "Lucas (skotoli artists, contortionists, and dancers) brought down the house with their Ecaxccrow dance, and every turn was applauded to the echo. Among the bioscope displays was Apologno winning the Melbourne Clip. The porlorimincc gv.vo general satisfaction. and throughout the evening apptouse war- well sustained and frequent.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL COXCHUT AT' CROMWELL. fFHov Our Own Correspondent.) CIIOMAVKLL, December 16. Ou Wednesday evening the residents were treated to a spectacular and musical entertainment by tlu; school children which, as usual, reflected the highest praise 011 tho Dominican sisters for the ability, care, and pa-iience thoy bestow cm their pupils. The drill of the boys, in orthodox Grenadier (iuards* uniforms was capitally gone through, and ihe various pianoforte duets by Masters A. NeiJl and G. Morris, the Missea J. Frewen and A. Thorns**, and M. and T. Mitchell were splendidly rendered, and'spoke volumes for the musical education given by the sisters. Miss Bessie LaiTcy played » violin solo, " Serenado Sicilionne," in splendid frtyta, displaj'iug artistic talent of great proinib*e. Iler brother, Mr Thcs. Laffey, gave an exhibition of dumb-bell awingirg which fairly brought down fne house, and he had to respond to an undeniable oneoro. A very pretty operetta, " Hubbies," by a group of girls, was enthusiastically received, tho dancing and singing being very good indeed. Special praise must be awarded to Pearl M'Laughlin, who, though only six years of age, was letter-perfect in a lengthy dialogue. The girl*? were all simply but charmingly attired, and formed a pretty spectacle. Master A. Xeill snug two songs in capital style. A comedietta, " Miss Nonchaience," was given by seven young ffirls, who severally performed their parts well, Miss Maud Mitchell mid Miss Francos Haves especially. A chorus, " Spanish Students Song," was capitally rendered, and brought ihe entertainment to a close. Through the cvoning being very wet the attendance was not &o large as usual, but as a large numl;<?r of tickets wero sold it is expected that £*25 will be realised.

Of Ma(l:ime Alicia f/onuu:, the famous songstress. who makt-5 her first appoarancc hsre on Wednesday, 25th (Christmas Xight), at His Majesty's Theatre, an exchange — "Madatno Lonian is lyric perlcci. A cascade of. exquisite notes falls from her pretty mouth when she sings, and her expression and technique are alike beyond reproach.' V.'c are assured by If err Beuno Scherek who is directing liiadame's present tour| t-hat a Mirpri?e and a rare treat is in storo for music-lovers. Iferr Sclicro'.c, apart from his geniality, has a record for carrying with him none but artistes ot rare accomplishments, and his word mav 1» acceptctl that on this occasion he has something out of the common to present.

nUXEDIX LIEDF.HTAFBIi. ihe Dunedin I/iedcrtafel gave a concert last evening (o (be inmates of the IWvolcnt Institution. The items consisted of partsouks by the society, and solos by Messrs J. lilenkinsopp, E. Eagiir, and .1. Jnto. who provided the conuc part of the programme, recalling a double encore. Mr W. Youn" in his humorous Scotch story ("Sandy"), captured the audience. In a few well-chow,,! i.ords Jlr Mce thanked the society on behalf of the inmates for the very pleasant entertainnusnt. also or the good things provided. -M. linison suitably responded.

SCIIOOT. COXCEHT AT IJAMPDKX A concert ill aid of the funds of the Haini)den District High School was bo~l in !I TO A'-herreuni Hall on Fridav evenm" Mr -Vco.foii, chairman of the School Committee', presiding. In his preliminary remarks, the Chairman expressed his regret at the ilislatiug of tire school, Tracing its historv, bi>

pointed out that file district was splendidly situated for such a school, and t) m |, W | ]ol ", the secondary department hiwl been j„ |h 0 experienced liands o[ the present held master ■the work had been carried on very successfully and the numbers well maintainor!, but tlie placing of this imjiorlant department in lint hands of your,!; and inexperienced teachers had resulted in a gradual falling oIV. The salary offered was not sufficient to induce teachers to remain locg enough in the position to 'jain the exjporisncc necessary foi success. Ho then introduced the programme for the concert. Thi; included the names o[ Hiss Watt. Mr HoherUon, Mr Fraer, Mrs Carmichjel. Mr Hnnevman, Mr Davis, Mr ,T. T. Kamsay, Maxtor Kenin, Mr Hunter, Mrs Davis, Mr De Mails, Mr \V. Marshall, mul Master Johnston. The conceit gave much pleasure, and was succeeded bf a dance, which was kept up till an early hour. "A MOORISH MAID." During Saturday evening's performance of llio now much-admired opera. 11 number of prominent citizens met and decided to tender Mr Alfred Hill a complimentary performance of " A Moorish Maid" in jlis Majesty's Theittre ou Thursday evening next. Directly it became known on the stage all those taking part — viz., principals, chorus, orchestra, stage luuids, am! door-keewr«—at onco volunteered their services for that evening. Tho tickcts were got cut as early as uossiblo yesterday morning, and by 5 p.m. close on 11X1 seats ha<! been booked at the Dresden, ami a largo number of tickets for other parts of the house had been sold. Pull particulars f.s to where tickcts can he obtainerl appear in our advertising columns, and by present indications a lull house is virtually assured.

By a large majority of the public an announcement that Handel's mtvrtemifce is '-to bo performed i? accepted with great pleasure, for though " The Messiah" has boon performed far more often tlan any other oratorio it contains 09 many beautiful numbers that the public it ever willing to listen to them. In 185G Mr K. 11. Bowley conceived the idea of commemorating the geniu3 of Har.dol on the centenary (in lfio'J) of his dentil by performing some of his works 011 a scale ot unprecedented magnitude. At that time there wa« not a building in London capable of holding the necessary orchestra, and it was decided to discuss the m-itlcr with the directors of the Crystal Palace Company, and it was then (Morminod to hold n, preliminary festival in the central transept of the Crystal Palace in 1857. The chorus ou that occasion numbered -fIOO and the orchestra MO. the works performed being " The Messiah." "Judas Maccabajus," and "Israel in Egypt." the nrincipal singers including Clara Xovello, Miss Uolby. Sims Hooves, and Karl Joliann Former the conductor being Costa. On Wednesday evening next, in His Majesty's Theatre, tbe Duucdin Choral Society will give "The Messiah." particulars of which appear in cur advertising columns, and the tinal rehccrsal will be hold in ni3 Majestv's Theatre to-morrow evening at IM.