THE BESSES O' TH' BARN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10959, 30 April 1907, Page 2

THE BESSES O' TH' BARN.

— 1 _ Great Britain's champion band, the Royal Besses 0' th' Barn, will arrive tomorrow morning from Napier, and give a brief series of concerts m His Majesty's Theatre, with special matinees, commencing to-morrow evening, under the direcI tion of Messrs J. and N. Tait. The box plans for the season have attained record proportions at Miller's. The directors are to be congratulated on pioneering the visit of such a famed organisation, the success of which is assured, as the attraction appeals to Jhe young and old of all classes, und the reputation gained by the Besst-s by their wonderful ploying, which is described by the critics as like a beautiful organ, apart from their supremacy over all bands," has'- never before been equalled. Whilo playing at a festival m London, tliis band was heard by the late Sir Arthur Sullivan, who said : "1 have never heard such a splendid performance of the 'Tannhauser' overture before m my life." In the varied programme indulged m by the Besses, a plentiful number of solos is given by the leading cornet, horn, trombone, and euphonium players. The playingof beautiful hymns, s«ch as "Abide With Me" and "Lead, Kindly Light," which is a strong feature of the band, is described as having an exceedingly inspiring effect. Among the nkny interesting opening numbers to be; rendered is a march entitled "Zealand|a," specially dedicated to New Zealand iwhdsmen by the talented conductor, Mr Alexander Owen, whose attainments as a composer have won for him many laurels m th© band world. Matinees 'will bo given on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.