THE HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Colonist, Volume XXX, Issue 5024, 6 October 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The Provincial Hall was crowded on Sept. 30, on the occasion of the Harmonic Society's private concert, and the miscellaneous programme presented was very evidently heartily appreciated. With any similar Society considerable time is necessary for the preparation of an oratorio or even a cantata, and the resolution lo give a mixed concert on this occasion was certainly a wise one. We doubt not the subscribers to the Society would be pleased if alternate concerts were devoted to glees, choruses, solos, duetts, andsoon,wh6n longer time would be available for other performances. Last night's concert opened with j the grand war march of the Priests from Athalie (Mendelsson) by the orchestra, while the first item of the second part was also a j march by the orchestra—the Jubileer March, I composed and arranged by Geo. Bobertßon, of Wellington, who has peiformed himself at one or two concerts in Nelson, Following the march from Athalie, came the chorus and solo" "Now Tramp o'er Moss and Fell" I | (Sir H. E. Bishop), in which the I.voice of the young lady . who took the solo passage was heard to much advantage, though the chorus showed some evidence of want of sufficient practice. Sir Arthur Sullivan's song, "Orpheus with his lute," was decidedly one of the sarprises 6f the evening. It was rendered by a young lady who has been absent from Nelson for some time, and whom we do not remember to have heard previously, but she sang iii a truly artistic manner. It is certainly complimentary to the audience too that it was not slow to recognise true merit, for a demonstrative encore was accorded the vocalist. It is not necessary to refer et length to each item, but the pianoforte solo " Bbapsoclie Hongroise— Friska," (Liszt) also calls f >r special mention. Miss Jackson, the pianiste of the Society, his established a reputation, but, bad she not done so, her. performance of this remarkable '. and exceptionally trying solo, would have entitled her. to a very high place amongst amateur musicians. This young lady was also loudly encored, and sbo complied with the demand of the audience. Of the other items in the fir*t part we may mention s the " Eomahy Lass," sang with 'good expression, and Pinsuiti's very pretty [part song ilThe Watchword," which was [very well rendered. The first vocal number following the interval was also a chorus and solo by Sir H. Bishop, " Daughter of Error/ and it was heartily appreciated, fis indeed, it deserved, the solo being effectively taken Following this was a pianoforte solo—lrn promptu in G (F. Schubert)-: the performer being the young lady who had previously , sung " Orpheus and his Lute." We are a little disposed to find fault with the selection, which would have been more heartily appreciated in a drawing-room—it was scarcely a concert performance-though it was certainly executed most artistically. Millard's song " Raiting "was sung by a gentleman, but H ! was exceedingly well rendered, and in response to" an encore, the . last' verse was repeatedi^ljhe following song was by a young lady wnpr with her sister, sang a duett j earlier.'in the evening; We had nearly

i omitted to mention this duett, which was . not printed on jthe'programme, but which > wa^ very heartily appreciated. These young i ladies have not' appeared at recent concerts, i bat" they are always listened' to with very niuch pleasure. Following the Madrigal, i " Since first I saw your face," which was i somewhat marvel by one of the peformers failing to watch the Conductor, came the. i song "The Lost Watch" (Poiisuli1. It wes entrusted to the young lady who took the 1 solo part in the first vocal item on the programme, arid he/ voice is always a pleasure to hear, but the son? not so well suited to her voice as most ihafc she has dung/ The conceit was brought to a close by the> singing o! the National Anthem, but preceding it was the part song, " See the chariot at hand," which went exceeding)' well.