ASSEMBLY ROOMS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3506, 1 July 1884, Page 2

ASSEMBLY ROOMS.

CONGEST. Last evening the first of a series of concerts in aid of St. Mary’s Sunday School funds was held in the Assembly Rooms. There was a very large audience, and the entertainment was in every respect successful. At eight o’clock, Archdeacon Harper stepped on the platform and apologised for the absence (owing to sickness) of two members of the orchestra, also for that of Mr Ziesler as a soloist, and Mr Wright, both of whom were afflicted with the prevailing cold, but whose places would be filled respectively by Messrs Cargill and Hope. The overture from the “ Bohemian Girl ” was then rendered with their usual precision and expressiveness by Mr Haigh (violin), Mr R. Haigb (piano), and Mr A. Haigh (cornet), after which a glee was given by Messrs Rowles, BUton, Haigh and Ziesler, and all these gentlemen being true musicians, the rendition was delightful. Mr Cargill’s solo was warmly received, and he was succeeded by Mrs Ansley, whose appearance was the signal for loud applause, and this lady’s rendering of the exquisite song “ Three Fishers went Sailing ” provoked an outburst of applause and encores which continued without ceasing until she reappeared and responded with “ True to the Last.” Mrs Ansley’s singing was the featurejof the concert. When in the second part she bad sung Millard’s sweetly pretty song “ Waiting,” the applause was deafening and compelled her to respond, when another imperative encore followed to which, however, the lady did not accede. Mrs Ansley’s voice is of remarkable sweetness and purity and of the most sympathetic tone. Major Bamfield recited Marc Antony’s speech over the body of Cmsar, and Miss Statham sang “Vastile,” very nicely indeed. Mr Hope followed with the “ Death of Nelson.” This gentleman is evidently a favorite for he had to respond to an encore, with •* I fear no Foe.” Miss L. Bes wick’s capital singing of Sir Henry Bishop’s song “ Bid Me Discourse" was heartily encored and was succeeded by “If sighs had Wings” which closed the first part. The orchestra opened the next part with selections from “ Chii'peric,” and the violin and contralto serenata by Mr and Miss Haigh was loudly applauded, and the performers were recalled, Miss K. Haigh’s singing being as usual of a fine order. Miss M. Allen’s “ Across the far blue Hills, Marie ” was warmly applauded and encored, and Mr Funston then sang “ Phillis is my only Joy.” Mr Gooch who was to have accompanied Mrs Tate, was, oaring to the lady’s indisposition, called upon to contribute a piano solo. A glee by Messrs Rowles, Bilton, Haigh and Ziesler, brought the performance to a close.

The entertainment was moat successful, the hall being filled. The addition of a proscenium to the platform has greatly improved the appearance of the room, and it is much appreciated by the performers, who are now enabled to step on the stage from the wings, instead of having as before to ascend from the body of the hall.