Orphans'Club Concert

Southland Times, Issue 19193, 3 November 1903, Page 2

Orphans' Club Concert

'I'll i* Invercargill Orphans' Ou|j| has been known to many per medium of its invitation concerts, and many of its members have by thoir contributions to various functions" been publicly known as musicians of ability, but not until last evening had tho general public had an opportunity of seeing tho full talent of the Club. In consequence the audience that iilled Ashley's Mall went with an open mind, tho desire to be pleased mingling with some degree of curiosity. The entertainment provided, however, scon forced the conviction on all that tho Club possessed a lull measure of talent, and as this iwas combined with a prograanrne that had been selected with nice discrimination the concert proved a distinct success, almost every item being encored. A bravura selection, '" Thy Dandy Fifth'" (Farland), by banjo, mandolin and guitar band, was given a rendering that set toes tupping in unison, its sweetness and spirit putting the audience in tune for the remainder of the evening. Messrs .J. L.. Kingsland and George Black succeeded well with the duet " Two jolly Tars are we V (W. H. Birch), each getting the necessary verve and swing into his singing. The Club's Liedertafel gave four part songs. "The Sabbath Call " (C Kreutzer). " Serenade " (A. M. Storch). "On the March" (V. E. Becker), and '* Serenade" (Mendelssohn), and under the baton of Mr \Y. .f. Ferguson acquitted themselves so well that each song had to be repeated. Indeed. these beautiful (Jermah lieder were considered by many to be the most enjoyable items. Mr J. li. Webb's contrii bution was the recitation of " A par- [ able of Nature." und " In the Hound Tower at .Jhansi." The former was j of a philosophical nature and the UitI tor tragic, but each required delicate treatment, and Mr Webb managed to convey the full significance of his lines. Mr A. R. Thompson sang *■ Aye Maria " (Schubert) with a simple .sweetness a nd expression that gained for him n recall. Tho only instrumental duet (if the evening was supplied by Messrs W. .1. Ferguson (violin) and -J. McKitinon (piano), who played a " Nocturne in G major " (Chopin), and tho instrumentalists gave a line rendering in which they skilfully brought out the cjuaint. delicate beauty and rhythm of thu music. Mr E. S. Ferry's full, robust voice was heard to. good advantage in the patriotic song " There's a ! Land " (F. Allitsen). and Mr C. Collier gave " The White Coon's* Dance" as a banjo solo. It is almost needless to remark that the music, was appreciated, played by such a master of the instrument as Mr Collier. Milt. Prentice \aiig " The Distant Shore" (Sullivan) with good taste and expression, and Mr C. R. Andrews evoked considerable laughter with his humorous song " An Awful Little Scrub." Mr .1. Macgregor is not generally known as a reciter, but he showed no mean elocutionary power in his treatment of " A Voice from the Bush," and in a. short, metrical anti-climax, entitled ** Alice. I Love You," he brought tho house down. An item not included in the programme was a song, " The Gladiator," by Mr 0. C. Branson, an exorphan, who happened to be re-visit-ing Invercargill. Needless to say, it added to the general enjoyment. The duties oi accompanists were performed successfully by Messrs McKT'nnon, Leek, owl Can*. The concert as a whole was a tactful intermingling of the artistic with the naive, which provided pleasure to the full without cloying. It is tho intention of the Orphans to give a public concert every year, and in this, their first, they have set a high standard.