ASHBURTON ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4869, 7 December 1883, Page 4

ASHBURTON ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

•» A genuine treat to the musio-loving portion of the residents of Aehbarton was given on Wednesday evening by the members of the Ashburton Orchestral Sooiety, at the Town Hall, ably a.Biated by Christohurch friends in the persons of Mr and Mrs Oorriok and Mr Poore. It ia to be regretted that, owing no doubt to heavy rain and hail showers through the day, the attendance waß not bo large as could be desired nor qb the merits of the performance justified, and Mr Harrison, the able oonduotor of the institution, announced at the end of the conoert that a second one would be given the following evening, in order that those persons who had been prevented from attending might have an opportunity afforded them of hearing the music. Taken as a whole, the oonoert was, beyond a donbt, the best ever presented m Aahburton. There was a marked improvement in the instrumental portion of the programme, showing that oare end perseverance must have been taken by the mem* bers of the Sooiety in acquiring suoh profioienoy, and reflecting the greatest credit on Mr Harrison, who haß instructed and led them. Where really so little fault oould be found, it would appear invidious to mention the efforts of individuals. The orohestra during the oonoert played four overture, in a highly pleasing manner. ' 'Invocation _ St C-oile/' "Cleopatra," "After Dark," and "La Fe.de Potsdam," the two last being vociferously enoored and repeated. Mr Q. D. Branson sang the songs set down for him in the programme in his usual effeotive manner, and on eaoh occasion was enoored, to whioh he responded. He is now a fast musioal favourite in Ashburton. A duet for cornets, " WiU o' the Wisp," wae fairly rendered by Messrs Hoikioa and M'Donald, and had to be repeated. The aong " Yashti," by Mra Oorriok, waa certainly the gem of the evening, and provoked a well deserved encore, for whioh " 'Jo the Woods " was sung. Later on the audienoe were also favoured by the same lady with " Alas, those Ohimes." A quartette for flute, violin, violinoello and piano, by Miss Crates and Messrs Corriok, Poore, and Bell, was very effectively rendered. Miss Smart aang " When the Tide comes in " creditably, but she has, wo think, been heard to better advantage. Mrs Crisp's song, " Olose to the Threshold," was not quite up to her usual standard. Mr G. Jameson was to have played a flute obligate to this song, but owing Ito ill-health was unable to attend, _u_ Wt

may in some measure have been the oanse, at well as the lady's own Indisposition. The song, however, was ably aooompanied by Mrs Q, D. Branson on the piano, and Mr Oorriok on the violin. Another quartette for oornets, euphonium, and tenor horn, " Beaper' s Chorus," Wai well played, and encored. Mr Corriok's solo on the violin was a finished pieoe of playing, and had to be repeated in reaponae to an encore.