FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 234, 7 March 1885, Page 12

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

Charlie Harding, erstwhile Auckland's favorite songster, is now recognised as the finest and truest tenor in Australia. I hear from professionals, lately from Melbourne, that his voice is now, without doubt, a tenor of the finest timbre, and that no better singer ever appears over there. Mr David .Russell, late a pupil of Mr Gordon Gooch and Professor Swallow, in Auckland, and who went to Calcutta with the Emilie Melville Opera Troupe, has been singing- Verdi's parts, and getting splendid notices in the Indian Press. If he has got over his j>eculiar method of ''mouthing' his words, he has everything else in his favor — voice, appearance, and popularity. A performance will be given in the Theatre Royal on the evening of the 17th March, St. Patrick's Day, in aid of the funds for the Volunteer Encampment. Much praise is due to the Thespian Amateur Dramatic Club for the generous manner in which they gave up the use of the theatre, for that evening, and agreed to assist in the performance, which we trust to see well patronised by Auckland playgoers.

The Waitemata Minstrels benefit to Mr Spry, their conductor, was not a financial success ; nor was the show Avithin a long way of being so good as Tuesday night's. The beneficiare's song and composition, "The Pirate," was a hit. The song has real sterling merit, but would suit a more robust voice better. Dick Sceats, if he was fit and well, could it justice. In Charlie Harding's hands it would be superb. The rest of the entertainment does not call for fresh comment.

The members of the Onehunga Choral Society gave a concert in the Tenrperance Hall on Tuesday evening last, in aid of the funds of the Society, when the following programme was given with great satisfaction to . the few who Avere present : — Grand March, Onehunga Band ; pianoforte solo, Miss Elmsly; glee, " Chongh and Crow," Society; song, "Beign of the Bosos," Miss Bishop; song, "The Desert," Mr Taylor; glee, "The Fairies," Society; song, "A Vision," Mrs Howard ; song, " Dear" England," Mr Walvond ; glee, "Bed Cross Knight," Society; .waltz, "Pansy Blossom," Band ; pianoforte duet. Misses Elmsley ; song, "lUiby," Mr Aspinall; glee, "Hark, the Curfew," Society ; solo (violin), " Auld Kobin Gray," Mr Ilulse ; trio, " When Shall We Three," Messrs Fellows, Moselyn, and Howard; song, "Better Bide a Wee," Mrs Gush; glee, " Glorious Appollo," Society; song, "The Last Man," Mr Taylor: JSTational Anthem. Most of the items were well rendered, special praise, however, being due to Mrs Gush, Mr Taylor, and Mr Hulse. Mr Taylor is the happy possessor of a magnificent bass voice, and he knows how to use it. Herr Schmitt, if he could get Mr T. into the Choral Society, would have a well cultured vocalist, to whom he might safely entrust the solos that are generally taken by 'Enery. The proceeding terminated with a ball, which lasted till the wee sma' hours ayont the twal.