THE HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Colonist, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7701, 7 August 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

, SubbiiY it mast be set down to the state of the weather that there was not a crowded Sail on Aagust 2 on the occasion of the miscellaneous concert given by the Harmonic Society. There was, 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 the double bass told, and at times there was a want of precision. The opening overture " L'ltalienne a Alger" (Bossini) is exceedingly pretty, but the performers were somewhat uncertain, and in one passage in particular the violins were very weak in iaking 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 chorus " Gipsy Life " the basses were weak, and the tenors were worse. There was also a want of precision 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 tew to us, was vociferously enoored, and in the second part her rendering of Uindegger'a song^ "Marinella,". was no less deUghtfaU 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 Bey J. P. Kempthorne was deservedlyappreciated, and the song "WilW ihe-Wiap " by Mr Kidson was given in good voice, and was enoored. Blumenthal's song «.< Love the pilgrim" was rendered with mujh effect by Miss Turner, whose voice is true as veil as powerful, and we hope to -hear this joang lady more frequently in the future. The last item jn jfche first part, Rossini's duett ".Qnis est Homo," by Mrs Houlker and Mrs P. Adams, accompanied by Miss Jackson was certainly the gem of the|ooneert. Tb* fftir vocalists were in perfect voice, and the aoeoppftnvist certainly merited a fu'l share in the undoubted saccesg. In response to an enthusiastic encore, th# audience was treated to a repetition. In the second part Mr A, P. Lacas sang, with excellent tasje, '.' There is a flower that bVometb," and on being recalled, bowed his acknowledgment. - Mias Jackson gaye -further proof ol her really marvellous execution, oombined with taste, in her pianoforte performance, "Minuette and Finale," (Beethoven) Op, 31, and as an encore, gave a WfiU knpwn air.wiih Variations. Mrs Houl-

i Ver sang Maofarren'a song, " The beating , of my own heart" with her acoustomed i tittistio finish, and reoeive3 an enoore. Be- ) fore the final chorus '< The Wat oh word," Mr • Fell, the conductor of the Booiety took i advantage of the occasion to tender the i thanks of the Society to Mrs Peroy Adams, 1 who is about to leave Nelaon on an extended , tour of India and England, for the invaluable ! service? rendered the Sooiety by that lady. i In felioitous terms he spoke of the very material services rendered by Mrs P. Adams 1 on behalf of the art which that lady haa so , . carefully and ably followed, and on behalf of i the Sooiety be wished her a safe and happy tpnr, with a speedy return— a wish that we i heartily re-eoho.