Christchurch Musical Union.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5348, 28 August 1895, Page 4

Christchurch Musical Union.

• I The Chrisfcohurch Musical Union'a third concert of the present season wab held at the Opera House last' night. The programme comprised both vocal and instrumental items, the majority of which were decidedly of a light and popular character. Nobody, in fact, could complain of inability to comprehend the music provided, ana that the audience appreciated the popular nature of the concert was amply demonstrated by the applause whioh greeted nearly every item. Of the fourteen numbers on the programme no leas than half have been given at previous concerts of the Musical Union. Not that they are the worse for repetition; far from it. Suoh orchestral works bb Mendelssohn's " Hebriden " and Cowen's "Language of Flowers" will bear constant re-hearing. " Hebriden " or, ai it is perhaps better known, " Fingal's Cave " was excellent played. Perhaps at times it was a trifle ragged, but otherwise very little fault could bo found. "The Language of Flowers" certainly improves upon acquaintance, and it was better done than when the society last performed it. It ia a really delightful composition, and as its name implies ia replete with Arcadian simplicity and grace. The intermezzo from " Cavalleria Busticana " is always welcome. It is a thousand pities that the part written for the harp cannot be filled in by this instrument itself, bat even with this drawback Mascagni's charming composition went well, and was most deservedly encored. Gran ado's serenade, or, as it is called, "Souvenir de Vienne," is another old friend, and a very dear one, too; but "Poet and Peasant," by F. Von Suppe", although to a certain degree pleasing, is hardly worthy of the efforts of a body such as the Musical Union. Miss Yenie Flower Bang Gounod's " The Worker" smoothly and artistically, but with an absence of dramatic force, which is absolutely necessary in such a song. However, Miss Flower thoroughly merited the encore which she received, and Bhe responded by Binging Blumenthal'a " Sunshine and Bain," very tenderly. Vigour was again wanting in her rendering of the latter "portion of Schubert's fatrious " Serenade." However, the legato passages were really well sung, and Miss Flower bowed in response to a recall. " filontroae's Love Song," by Maud Valeric White, is hardly the song a young singer who is making his first serious effort in public ought to choose. Still, Mr G. March sang it carefully and well, and he is sure to be an acquisition to the ranks of our amateurs. Mr March went rather to tbe other extreme when later on he sang " Courier of Moscow," by Paul Eodney. However, the song, and the manner in which it was sung took the fancy of the audience, and Mr Maroh was compelled to j repeat the last verse. The trio " Best Thee on this Mossy Pillow " by tbe Misses Jacques, Clark and Inglis, was marred by the faot that one of the voices was from beginning to end a good deal out of tune; but Pinauti's beautiful part song "In this Hour of Softened Splendour," in spite of the fact that the tenors were somewhat uneven, went admirably. The Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin was perhaps a trifle deficient in power, but "The Miller's Wooing," by Eaton Faning, and " Seguidilla," by C. Vincent, were both mOBt enjoyable. Me F. M. Wallace, as usual, conducted, while Miss Packer led the orchestra, and Mrs Wells and Mies March acted a 9 acoompanists during the evening. The fourth concert of the season will be given in about six weeks. The final sub. scription concert will be in November, when Cowen's 8t John Eve will comprise the programme. The latter will be followed, as previously announced, by a public performance of The Messiah at