CONCERT IN AID OF THE CHURCH BAZAAR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 918, 25 September 1869, Page 2

CONCERT IN AID OF THE CHURCH BAZAAR.

Thi "Impromptu Rehearsal*' given for the purpose of providing funds for the purchase of materials for the Church of England Basaar, came off on Thursday evening last, in the Odd Fellows' Hall) and was a great success. At seven o'clock the hall began to fill, and before halftpast moat of the seats were filled up* iVom beginning to end of the concert— for it was too good to call a rehearsal-*everything worked most bar. moniously* and there was not a single fault to be found either in the selection of the musid placed before the audience, or in the execution of the same by the performers. Having passed a very pleasant evening} and feeling that we oan say naught but in praise of the performers, we have no difficulty on the present occasion in giving a review of the oonoerti The programme opened with the overture to " Tanoredi^' performed on the piano in a magnificent style by three ladies* This was followed by *' O hail us ye Free," a ohoras by Verdi. The next pieoe was sung by a lady who is a stranger amongst us, but who has such a cultivated voice, and brilliant execution, that it was really a treat to hear her sing Arditi's 11 L'Estaaie." The difficult reoitative from Der Freisohutz, " How Gentlo was my Slumber," was well sung by a gentleman. The duet for two oornets, " What are the Wild Waves Saying," deserved the applause that was bestowed on it by the audience* The quartett " Hail to the Chief" was really well sung. The duet, "Hear me Norma," was one of the best things of tho even* ing, and the applause that followed was loud and continuous. The duet, " O'er the hill o'er the dale," by two ladies, was rendered with great taste. "The Rosy Crown," by Weber, oonoluded the first part of the programme, a lady taking the solo part, and it was much appreciated by the audience. The second part commenced with the " Ruy Bias" valse, by a string and brass, band, and was a great hit ; so excellently was this per*, formed that the gentlemen were rewarded with a perfect storm of applause at its conclusion, After the glee, " Hark the Curfew," which was given by the whole strength of tho choristers, came the duet, "Home to our Mountains," by a lady and gentleman, the exquisite and cultivated voice of the lady, blending with that of the gentleman's, both showing, great skill in music, was deserving of an encore, had it not been taxing the vocalists too much. Tho next song, by a young lady, was " Why that Tear, 1 * whioh was rendered with considerable powor, and with a sweetness of voice that was perfectly irresistible. A trio, by three oornets, was next on the programme, and showed the skill of the performers. Two songs followed, sung by gentlemen , and eaoh was londly applauded . After the quintett " Blow gentle Gales," sung in the usual excellent manner by the company j a song, " Come. Home Father," was sung with a feeling that oould not but touoh the audience, and the strain, as it was taken up by the chorus, was listened to with rapt attention. The ohorns, " When Life in its Beauty," and the National Anthem, brought one of the most delightful and successful couoerts that has ever been held in this town to a con* olnsion. The gentleman under whose manage* ment the concert was brought to such a successful issue, certainly deserves all praise ; and the ladies who presided at the piano, and -accompanied the singers, must not be passed over without a word of commendation. We have been informed that the takings amount to £25 ; and the Chairman (Mr. T. Hirst) has requested us, in the name of tho Committee, to thank the ladies and gentlemen who took parts, for their kindness on the occasion j and also to the community at large for the support given to their exertions,