CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVI, Issue 992, 21 November 1883, Page 5

CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

The annual concert held in connection with the Church of England took place, as previously announced, in Trinity Sunday School-building on the evening of Friday last. Owing partly to the unfavorable wuather, and partly to the tvani of publicity given to the concert, the attendance was not so large as might have been expecud. The galaxy of tak-nt fr m a dts t.ince was sufficient in itself to have drawn a larger audience than that which assembled, and no doubt if greater publicity had been given to the fact, there would have been fewer half-filled seats in the building last Friday evening. As a rule, the concert held annually under the auspices of the Cimrch of England in Lawrence has been largely attended, and no effort has been spared to make it a thorough success. On the present occasion, a capital programme had been arranged, the services of a number of talented amateurs from Milton and elsewhere having been secured. It therefore seemed a pity that the management did not take the necessary steps to ensure the concert being a decided success in so far !as the attendance was concerned. Shortly ; after the advertised time (eight o'clock) the -first' item 6n the programme — viz., a pianoforte overture —was skilfully played by Miss Pope and Mr Towsoy. Then followed a glee by the company (coniis ting of twenty-fovir voices'), entitled "Awake, JSolian Lyre," which waß spiritedly given, and met with the hearty approbation of the audience. ;t; t Miss Blair (who made her i bow to a Cawrenca audience ior the first ! time) gave the ballad "In the Gloaming," and, although suffering greatly from nervousness, acquitted herself very creditably. A duet by Messrs Capes and Grant (of Milton) was the next item, and it is needless to say that these gentlemen did full justice to their respective parts. Miss .Rutherford (a stranger to Lawrence) sang the ballad " Golden Shore," vith taste and expression, being possessed of a rich contralto voice, and creating a most favorable impression. A trio (" Oh ! Memory") by the Misses Black (of Milton) and Mr Towsey, was a most successful item and met with the warm approval of the audience, who were not slow to acknowledge their appreciation of the manner in which it had been rendered. Mr John Grant— who is possessed of a deep, rich bass voice, and is an especial favorite in Lawrence musical circles— was heard to great advantage in the wellknown song "The Sea is England's Glory." The next item, "When Sparrows build," was pleasingly rendered by Miss Smith (of Greenfield), who sustained the reputation she had previously gained here of being a first-class vocalist. The quartette ( lt Far Away "), given by Misses Leech and Shury and Messrs Pope and Capes (members of the church choir), was a very successful item, the different voices blending nicely. The Misses Black next essayed the duet " Hark ! the Goat- bells ringing," for which they were accorded a round of well- merited applause. Mr Towsey followed withi a serenade (with violin accompaniment by Mr Capes), and as usual that gentleman acquitted himself well. The company then gave the glee "Carnival," which brought the first part of the programme to a successful close. After a brief interval, Master and Miss Fraer gave an overture on the pianoforte, which was played with taste and skill. Thp company followed with the glee, "The wv-sonu of the Druids," which, as in the case of their former selections, was highly appreciated. "The Sailor Sighs," by Miss Black and Mr Towsey, was one of the gems of ihe evening, and a recall had to be acknowledged. Mr Capes's violin solo ("II Trovatore ") was a musical treat, and was enjoyed by the audience, who were not content until the instrumentalist favored them with another exhibition of his skill. " Hark to the Rolling-drum," was given spiritedly and with the best effect, Messrs M'Donald, Hay, Grant, Capes, and Towsey taking part. Miss Black Came next, &ad was heard to great advantage in the song "The Lights of London town," which was capitally received. The pianoforte solo "Caledonia," by Mr W. Smith (of Greenfield) tended to create a great deal of enthusiasm, the airs being very popular and taking. Miss Smith and Miss Rutherford gave the duet " I would that my love," in a charming manner, and were obliged to respond, to a thoroughly deserved encore. The song "Goodbye," was next given by Mr Towsey, who was in capital voice, and did not fail to please the audience. At this stage, Mr Fraer stepped on to the platform, and as several parties evidently were laboring under the impression that that gentleman was about to favor the audience with a taste of his quality as a vocalist, they felt constrained to accord nial an encore before he had an opportunity of getting the key-note. As may be imagined, the applause was deafening, the housa (to use a hackneyed phrase) being fairly brought down. Before Mr Fraer was allowed to acknowledge the compliments so freely showered upon him, Mr Towsey came forward and sang the last verse of the song "Good-bye," evidently mistaking the applause as an acknowledgment of the artistic manner in which he had acquitted himself on the former, occasion. Mr Fraer, who then re-appeared, essayed to Bpeak, but the applause which followed was defeaning, the audience being in the liveliest humor and appearing highly delighted at the fact that the mantle of Sims Reeves or some other notable in the musical world had fallen upon the shoulders of our highly popular Mayor. When quiet had at length been restored, Mr Fraer intimated that he had much pleasure (on behalf of the Vestry) in thanking the performers for the valuable aid they had rendered that eveniug, and especially to Mr Towsey for the success whichhad attended his efforts as conductor. The company then gave the glee "On yonder rock reclining," in good time, which was followed by the audience joining in singing the National Anthem, tbus bringing the entertainment to a close. The various accompaniments were played in a skilful manner by Mrs Beaumont, who was occasionally relieved by Miss Smith and Mr Towg«y.

General M 'Ivor's projected expedition to New Guinea has completely collapsed.