IRISH CONCERT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20679, 18 March 1937, Page 12

IRISH CONCERT

FINE ARRAY OF TALENT OPENING OF NEW HALL With a programme that had been well and nicely selected, the taste of the audience for national airs having been properly regarded as of paramount importance, the grand Irish national concert held in St. Patrick’s Hall last night proved a marked success. The custom to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a national concert . Tok on a special significance this year, for it marked the official opening of the reconstructed hall in Browne Street, a building which is indeed a credit to the Catholic community in Timaru. That the people appreciated both the programme and the comfortable accommodation was evidenced by the packed house. The hall itself, which provides seating for more than 500 persons, was incapable of holding all those who wished to attend. A number was accommodated in the wings, while others were turned away. It was evident, too, that the audience was more than pleased with the reconstructed building, which should prove a definite acquisition to Timaru. The lilting melodies of Thomas Moore, which abounded in the programme, the favourite works of other well-known composers of Irish songs, national recitations and national dances did not fail to make an impression on the audience, which was enthusiastic from the curtain rise. The organisers were fortunate in their cho. ' of talent. With leading South Canterbury and Dunedin artists engaged, the concert could not have been otherwise than a success. Indeed it is very doubtful if such an array of artists has ever graced the platform during the long years that the custom of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a concert has held sway in Timaru. Encores were numerous and here again admirable choice of numbers was made. In all, it was a first-class Irish programme. A feature of the concert was the work of the accompanists. Mrs A. C. Fahey acted in the official capacity, while Miss Bernadette Mangos played the accompaniments for Mrs Archie Barton and Mrs Wheeler for Mr A. J. Wheeler. The programme, which commenced with the National Anthem, was arranged as follows: —Descant, “Avenging and Bright” (Moore), Maristßoys’ Choir; song, “The Last Rose of Summer” (Moore), Miss E. T. Rennie; song, “For the Green” (Lohr), Mr A. J. M. Wheeler; song, “The Harp That Once” (Moore), Miss G. Hughes; song, “She’s Far From the Land” (Moore), Mr J. Kennedy; recitation, “Tho’ Dark are our Sorrows” (Moore). Miss E. Gawith; song, “Hills of Donegal” (Sanderson), Mrs Archie Barton; song, “A Little Pit of Heaven” (Moore), Mr G. Andrew’s; Irish reel, Miss K. Piever’s party; choir, "By the Waters of Killarney” (Sanders), Sacred Heart Convent girls; song, “Mother Machree” (Ball), Mr A. J. M. Wheeler; song, “ Killarney” (Faulconer), Mrs Archie Barton; song, “Molly Bawn” (Lover), Mr J. Kennedy; song, “The Cruiskeen Lawn” (Moore), Miss G. Hughes; song, “The Minstrel Boy” (Moore), Mr G. Andrews; song, “Believe Me” (Moore), Mis- E. T. Rennie; Irish Jig, Miss K. Piever’s party. The programme concluded with “God Save Ireland.”