FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12214, 2 August 1910, Page 7

FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

After a prolonged absence, the favorite Fisk "Jubilee Singers again made their appearance m Uisboine last night, giving the tirst of two concerts m His Majesty's Theatre. There was a large attendance, and of course an enthusia.stic reception was assured. Among those present were many 1 who remembered when the Jubilee Singers made their first appearance m the colonies, and the intense enthusiasm created by their concerted singing. There was -a responsive chord quickly touched m the audience ln.st night, and every item of the programme was enjovod. The jubilee choruses comprised the chief feature, and m the softer strains especially the voices blended m delightful harmony ; but there were also numerous solos of distinct merit, with vocal and instrumental items m lighter vein, musical sketches, and glees, serving to increase the pleasure of the evening, while not from the musical success. i'flie time-honored bracketed numbers of "Steal Away," and "The Lord's Prayer," opened the programme, and later on there ■was sung such old favorite^ as ' "The Band of Gideon," "Babylon's Falling," "Hail! Hail!" "'Nobody knows the trouble I've seen" (a lamentation), "Hear dem Bells" (with excellent imitation of the dong of the bells), "My Lord's Writing all the time," "Who built the Ark?" "Call John," and "I'm rolling," with other favorite com l pany songs as encore numbers. The musical comicality, "The City Band." very amusing, but with complete harmony, was sung by the company by request. Among the soloists Mr R. H. Collins, an old and popular friend, had the close attention of the audience, and even m the company songs his special parts were marked by appreciation. He sang several enjoyable coon sonps, there being a triple encore. Th? lady baritone, /Miss Belle F. Gibbons, surprised those who. had not previously heard her by the use of a baritone voice m such songs, as "The Castles I have m dreams.'' Miss Baptist sang ".My; Old Kentucky Home" m a. way that created much enthusiasm, with an insistent recall. Mrs Hamilton Hodges, -who has a sweet soprano voice of high range sang "Sancta Maria,' giving "Don't >• cry, little girl," by way of encore. A tenor soloist of remarkable power is Mr Sidney Haynes, who sanjr "Sally Homer" m a way that captivated, the "audience, and had to respond to' a recall. Mr E. R. Martin, the boss soloist, was very popular with the old melody "I'se going back to Pixie," supported by the company m chorus. Iri, addition to an enccn-e to this song, he had also another very popuhr solo number, a "Concert March' on t l ie guitar! which was encored with enthusiasm. • The whole programme Mas thoroughly enjoyed, and the success should bespeak a good house for, » hi* evening. Th« audience • last night were very quick to perceive what to il-nn seemed the 1 humorous side of the i:egro melodies; imd while this, perhaps, lessened the pious fervor ■ with which some if the plantation choruses were regarded m the earlier) days, it lightened the proceedings with flashes of humor, into the_ spirit of -which all seemed to enter. For instance, one can remember that when one negro soared above the others m an outburst of song m the Jubilee chorus "I'm rolling," it was regarded as a manifestation, of greater 7,est m the theme before him, whilst last night it was rather taken" to be nn extra vocal flight for the special entertainment of the audience, and this was characteristic of other melodies with quaint effects. The glee "The Merry-makers" wns a fine addition to the 'programme, and both musicians and those not claiming to have any gift m that direction were well satisfied with the melodious fare provided. -