WESTMINSTER ABBEY GLEE AND CONCERT PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 90, 13 April 1903, Page 2

WESTMINSTER ABBEY GLEE AND CONCERT PARTY.

The secular concert given by this unique combination of vocalists at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening proved, as was anticipated, a perfect treat. To many present it wes a revelttionof r<-fioed and cultured s<nging. The artistic effects produced ia the unaccompanied glees, quartets, madrigals, and part songs aroused the enthusiasm of the audience. The solo Ringing was also of excepional merit, and in every case elicited loud and prolonged applause. The demand for encores was very persistent, and was mot in an excellent spirit by the entertainers. ■ The boys' singing was heard to much better advantage than on P. iday evening, as the lads had recovered from their s-'a journey, the consequence was that the audienco applauded them mos - . vv irmly and deservedly. Mister Hubbard tang " Toe Swallows" very sweetly the silvery tones of his clear pure voic* idelighting all present. As an encore : item " When daisies pied " was given ! with equ*l success. Mr Hilton's ren- ! doriug of the " Friar of Orders Grey " wa? excellent, and in response to m uuauimous r?ca'l ho gave tbe " Happy Farmer." The quartat " Of a' the airrs " by the Glee p irty was so magni6cently | sung that a persi-itent demand for an encore was complied with, and much to! tho deligh'. of the audience " The Ring' ' and the Rose " was substituted. The Igom of the evening was Mr Bra>,scimbe's "Lowland Sea" which was 'sung with such exquisite taste and feeling that it called forth a peifect rosr of applaus ■, and in reply to a pers'Stent demand for an encora '' Meeting of the Waters" was given. Madame Hooton ako scored a great success in her song " Doun the Burn" which suited her voice exactly. For an encore she nang " Good Morrow Goesip Join" with much effect. The ca'i h " 'T was you, Sir," by Messrs Ojward, Pownall and Hilton, was sung with great poiut aud humour, a: d well d served the hearty npphusa accorded, For mcora an equally amusing catch was g.v.>n entitled " Would you know my Oelii's clnrms." Tbe part song " Gentle Spring " was sung by the boys most charmingly, tbe audience onca more* insisting on an encore, a Scotch Rhapsody being substitute), and rendered with sp'endid effect, Mr Dud-

l'y Oaustoa'd hunvurous musical sketch created roars of laugterthioughout, His sketch of tho chairman's opening spe-ch was inimitable, while Ins vivid imitations, of th 9 singers and instrumentalists wore tnarvollouhly clever and droll. Alt.-gethtr the performance was a Diemo'nbl* on», and hosH •'Who did not how i 1; may well regret having Ion", a fine musical treat.