THE HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Colonist, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7698, 2 August 1893, Page 3

THE HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Surely it must be Bet down to the state of the weather that there was not a crowded Hall last night on the oooasion of the miscellaneous concert given by the Harmonic Society. There wag, however, a numerous audience, and moreover, a critical one. The programme presented was a good one, but the orchestral performances were below the usual order of merit. The absence of tho double bass told, and at times there was a want of precision. The opening overture " L'ltalienne a Alger " (Rossini) is exceedingly pretty, but the performers were somewhat uncertain, and in one passage in particular the violins were very weak in taking up the lead. The crescendo passages, however, were well worked up. In the opening of the second part the orchestra was more successful in the Gavotte " First Primrose " (Eilenberg). Of the choruses and glees " The Cloud Capt. Towers" (Stevens), which was given early in the second part, was decidedly the best. In the ohorus " Gipsy Life " the basses were weak, and the tenor 3 were •worse. There was also a want of preoision in the chorus " The Parting Kiss," but the altos did well. The instrumental quartette in the second part " Norma," two violins, flute and pianoforte, was fairly rendered. Mrs Percy Adams was in splendid voice last night, and this lady, who has rendered invaluable assistance to the Society, received quite an ovation. Her first song, which was new to us, was vociferously enoored.-and in the second part her rendering of Bandegger's song " Marinella " was no less delightful. In response to a recall Mrs Adams sang " When the heart is young." The quartette " Ecoo Qael Fiero," (Costa), by Mrs Houlker, Mrs Percy Adams, Mr A. A. Grace, and Rev J. P. Kempthorne was deservedly appreciate*, and the eong " Will^o' the-Wißp " by Mr Kidaon was given in good voice, and was encored. Blumenthal's Bong " Love the pilgrim 7 ' was rendered with muoh effect by Miss Turner, whose voice ia true as well as powerful, and we hope to hear this young lady more frequently in the future. The last item in the first part, Rossini's duett " Qnis est Homo," by Mrs Houlker and Mrs P. Adams, aooompanied by Miss Jackson, was certainly the gem of the concert. The fair vocalists were in perfect voice, and ther aooompanyist certainly merited a fuU Bhare in the undoubted success. In response to an enthusiastic encore, the audience was treated to a repetition. In the second part Mr A, P. Lucas sang, with excellent taßte, " There is a flower that bloometb," and on being recalled, bowed his acknowledgment. Misa Jackson gave further proof of her really marvellous execution, combined with taste, in her pianoforte performance, "Minuette and Finale," (Beethoven) Op, 31, and as an encore, gave a well known air with variations. Mrs Houlker sang Maofarren's spng, " The beating of my own heart" with her aooustomed artistic finish, and received an encore. Before the final ohorua < The Watchword," Mr Fell, the conduotor of the Sooiety took advantage of the occasion to tender the thanks of the Sooiety to Mrs Peroy Adams, who is about to leave Nelson on an extended tour of India and England, for the invaluable services rendered the Sooiety by that lady. In felicitous terms he spoke of the very material servioea rendered by Mrs P. Adams on behalf of the art which that lady has so carefully and ably followed, and on behalf of the Sooiety he wished her a safe and happy fconr, with a speedy retain— a wish that we heartily re«eoho. __