AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14702, 9 December 1909, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT. One of the biggest audienccs before which the Dunedin Liedertafel has ever sung was present in Burns Hall last evening, when tho eighty-eighth concert was given. It did not 6eem that tlic programme had teen compiled with the usu.al careful attenion to mixing the items, andi by that means securing strong contrast. In tho earlier part the liiedertafel confined itself pretty well to compositions of a comparatively quiet flowing character, or their singing produced that impression on tho mind, and this created a not altogether pleasant sensation. There was just a sense of lameness about tho_ performance that would have been avoided by the introduction of one or two of tire bright, sparkling, or bold, vigorous part songs in ivhieh the Liedertafel usually acquits itself so well. For this reason the second part, of the programme was by far tile more enjoyable, and it may Ik added that the singers were certainly heard to greater advantage in it. Still there were one or two things sung earlier in tho evening that were distinctly well performed. Gounod's "Nazareth," for example, had much to commend it, and towards tho end of de Kille's "Traveller's farewell," the liiedertafel rose to something like its true form. Tho part song "Italian Salat," by Genee,' a novelty in the way of miracal composition, was another fairly well performed item, and was evidently greatly enjoyed by the audience. It may be regarded as a burlesque on Italian' opera, in .which everything is exaggerated. Tho solo part was sung by Mr E. 11. Eagar, who threw all the dramatic- power at his command into his singing. Part 2 opened with a really fine performance o[ Chadwick's "I'm a Viking bold,'' into which tho Licdcrtafel put plenty of dash and vigour. It was attacked with confidence, and was given with telling effect, and constituted perliaps the best, piece of work dono during the evening. Old favourites wore revived in "Spin, spin." and " In absence/' and both were mcst tastefully rendered. In tho latter tho balance was more than usually well preserved, tho hasses keeping themselves well in hand and in a eeominc evenness of tone. 'The gongs are beating," an eccentric work by Otto, with a merry swing about il. was sung with a very fair degree of success, and the other part song was "Soldier, rest. (Somervell). Mis.} Iva Poole, who, it is understood, mado her first appearance in public, sang twice, and met with a most flattering reception. In Gladys Melrose's song, "The wings of the night," Miss I'oolo appeared to mffor wry much from neiTousntss, and it was this no doubt that caused a certain degree of unsteadiness in her voioe. Her enunciation is particularly gcod, and her voioe, though light, exoecdinsly pleasing, and she sings with consider-

ablo taste. Tho audionco was delighted with Miss Poolo's first item, and sho was iior.oimxl with an encore, find had; Quito an armful of flowore to carry off tho stage, one sing ■' Lovo is meant to make us glad" with mono eonfidcncc, and with better effect, and was again recalled. Mr Jas. Blcnkinsopp kuvc an acceptable rendering of " A lose in heaven,'" and Mr A. T. Reid sang lorr >! s "Wil o' the wisp" fairly sueW -?i «r' 1 ."'Tf 0 'l' n| son conducted, and, \vi,n Mr \\. ]■;. Taylor, played a piano and organ tliict (Beethoven's " Larghetto; sym--1 lony .No. 2 ), which added variety to't-he rogianime The s;ime hvo gen tl emcn Bun...- the evening: Dr Harriss made a nl nf n!" r hfl w >"P»ed tho ™ t> of Dunodin. oomplimontccl the Lie,crtaW upon and rcfcrr^, to tho Sheflicld choir which he purposed bringing out , n<, cxplainod that this wP3 not j money-making ooiiconi.

HIS MAJESTY'S TIIKATRE The seasor of the J. C. Williamson Company was brought to a close last cvfir 1 by a repetition of "Brewster's Million's 11 to an audience which, though good, was not commensurate with the splendid merit of the comedy and the performance. Tho yacht scene, as oil the previous, evening, was a capital production—one which woufd bo a credit anywhere—and was heartily appreciated by all. FULLERS' PICTURES. Tho current week's programme* was gono through for tho last timo at the Princess Theatre last evening before a largo audience. For this evening a new and attractive programme is announced. . ROSE SHOW.

Notwithstanding the strong winds of late it is pleasing to noto that the entries for tho rose show arc good, and should the present favourable weather continue tho display in tho Garrison Hall on Friday will be well worth a. visit. An export from the other side has stated that he has'seen in Duncdin the finest collcction of roses in tho Southern Hemisphere, and those visiting the Harrison Hall to-morrow will a'so sec them. Dunedin s noted for its lovo of flowers, and the Horticultural Society is'well worthy of its best patronage, THE SHACKLETON PICTURES. Spencer's Theatrescopo Company are ak. nouncod to commence a short season at the Alhambra Theatre next Saturday with animated pictures of Shackloton's dash for the Pole. Mr Spencer has shown enterprise in securing the ■ right to exhibit throughout Australia and Now Zealand views of the famous achievement' of tho Shacklcton party. Late files show that large crowds in London witnessed theto Antarctic .cinematographs, which glvo a wonderfully accurato idea, of the adventures of Shackleton and his brave companions. It is to be expected that large Dunodin audiences will sec these pictures. Seats may be reserved at tho Dresden. rooms. ORPHANS' CII AWT ABLE CONCERT. Now that Christmas is approaching, with all its attendant joys to juvenile mincfc, it is incumbent upon all to think of tho poor waifs and strays kho aro likely to be forgotten or overlooked in our own enjoyment. Tho direct reference is to tho orphans in tho various orphanages in the city, and Duncdin Orphans' Musical Club lias, with characteristic promptitude, taken the inmates under its wing, and intends living a benefit concert in Burns Hall on Xitesday, 21st December, to supply the nsopssary means Those in charge of tho orphanages Jiavo taken the matter up with great enthusiasm, and the Primate (Bishop Novill), Bishop Yerdon, and Dr Nisbet havo very kindly extended their patronage to the movement-. The programme will bo well worth hearing, many of tlic performers being winners at the recent competitions, whilo tho rest are of equal ability. Tho tickets are Is each, und admit to all of the house, and can be obtained from those in charge of the Anglican, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic institutions. OPEN-AIR, CONCERT, The membership of the St. Kilda Tennis Club has now increased to such an oxtcnt that the two courts now in use havo proved insufficient to accommodate all the phuyers without a good .deal of inconvenience. The club has sufficient land to provide for another court, and it is proposed to put one down as soon as possible. With tho object of raising funds to enablo the proposal to 1)0 carried into effect it lias been dcoided to hold- an cpen-air concert- on tho courts to-morrow evening. Tho project Jiaj been taken up by the members with enthusiasm, and no trouble has been spared to ensure that patrons spend an onjoyablo evening. A splendid programme has been arranged, and if _t.ho weather >s favourable it is anticipated that there will bo largo attendance, especially as tho charge for admission is very small. j