A FINE TRIBUTE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11857, 22 May 1909, Page 2

A FINE TRIBUTE.

THE .COMPLIMENTARY ' CONCERT Tho.i iisdof due's talents m the ser vice of the public sometimes moots witl reward. Misg Mcllhono. has ever been ready -to respond where her musical capabilities have 'beon of service m the mutter of local entertainment, and the organisers of such gathering's have always been eager to accept such .services. The entertainment m His Majesty': Theatre last evening was a fitting recognition of Miss Mellhorie's kindliest and ability. Before 8 o'clock only standing room was to be obtained h. the dress circle, and tho body of Un: lia*ll .Jvfcts well : filled. •■■ There was a finely balanced programme, - above^ the averiigi m all-round, excellence, and especially good m regard to some individual items The City Baud played . m the open 'ah prior to the concert, and the overture! loir both* sections of tho concert wort played by the orchestra Sunder Mr M. Foster. Operatic music was adopted foi the occasion, the. "Giris of "GbttenbergV being played m the first part and "MistHook,, of Holland" m the second part, encores being called for m each cast and responded to m thoy latter portion of the programme. In t*he vocal numbers Mr Johnston. Brown took the lead with tho freobooter's songs, "Cradle Song'' 1 and "The Rebel," and -he wa* even ;more successful m his recitations;: Tho first 1 of these was Mrs Remans' thrill, ing story, "Becalmed," the despair, sadness, and eventual joy of which were depicted by -the reciter m or most realistic way, and all other sounds Avere. hushed while tho dramatic story was being told. 1 There was an imperative encore, "'Tears'' being recited m response. There wort two' lady singers. An apology .Was made' on bphulf of Mrs Howie, who was suffering from a cold, and Mrs' Phil Barry not only finely carried out her own pari on tho programme, but also sang m place of the absentee. Her first song wai "The Song the Angels Sing," given m a,' most pleasing way that ; aroused' on thusiasm, and followed by "Oh, Steer My Barque." In, the second part Mrs Barry "again delighted tbe audience -with ,her sirigirig, the encore song "Banks ol Allan Water/ being most successful. A noteworthy., feature was that both Miss Mcllhone and Mrs Barry received an ovation on making their fmst appearance Of the gentlemen singers Mr .Percy Adair was the most popular, his "Happy l Sorig," a, capital number, evoking much applause and, an insistent encore, when "Birth of Morn" was chosen. 'Mr Grimshaw, sang-- "Opine into the Garden, Maud," arid' Mr H. J. Grieve 1 sang "The Garonne," both- receiving well merited applause. Mr R. A. Mitchell, who has ; a ■ mellow voice of fine quality, sang "The Scent of the Lilies", m fine style. Master M. Vita's flute solo ("Andante") was greatly enjoyed by musicians, and there was : *n. enthusiastic encore. '■'-„".T he comedy, element was supplied by Mr M. •Lewisi who gave Harry Lauder's 'famous comic song,, "Foo th' Noo." For an encore he humorously narrated, iri patter and song, some ' boarding house experiences, that became tiresome to some people, but ; were evidently enjoyed by the many, and m response to a double' encore, he gave a clover imitation of < n bibulous individual singing "A Hundred Fathoms Deep." The most attractive feature of an - excellent programme Was the introduction of Madame Cusier to a Gisborne audience. This lyric soprano lias won a high reputation m other piijis of New Zealand, and was able to give ample practical proof last night that her praises liad been m no way overdone. Her opening number was Rattens "April Morn,' which gavo'an idea of tho fine quality of tho voice/the splendid enunciation aiid tlie ease with which difficult trills could be taken by tho singer, whose other vocal accomplishments also helped to ensure a complete success. To an encore "CWissiina" was sung, and strengthened the good opinion already formed. Tho greatest success was m "The Serenade" (Go.iuiod), following the same composer's beautiful sacred aria "Aye Maria." The softer :-vocal ! shades were exquisitely given, And -the Ringer was several times! recalled, and repeated a portion of "the sleep song. Messrs Vita- Bros, contributed harp, .yiplin, and flute accompaniment to Madariie Caster's sacred aria. The" secretary for the concert was Mr. John Adair, and Mr A. F,i Kennedy was the stage manager. A grand piano arid organ, were kindly lent by Messrs Ghrisp and Son v The accompanists wero Mrs Foster, Miss Mcllhono, and Mr Gittos/"**