CONCERT AND DANCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1028, 29 March 1884, Page 3

CONCERT AND DANCE.

As previously announced, a grand vocal and instrumental concert was held in the Town Hall in the evening. The audience was not so large as could have been desired, but quite as large as we expected it to be under the circumstances. The programme was not exactly a holiday one — such as would meet the popular taste on the evening of a race-meeting. The taste for hxgh-clasa music has not been cultivated sufficiently among country folks to enable them to appreciate what might be "music divine" to cultivated ears. There was an evident lack of songs suited to the popular ear, as was shown in the vigorous applause and second encore given to the only comic song rendered. And the tickets were. too. high, for a concert following so closely upon the one held on the evening of St. Patrick's Day. The first item on the programme was an overture by Mr Capes (violin) and Mr Towsey (piano), which was well played and freely applauded. Then followed a glee r " Let the H ilia resound," by the company, which was also well received. Mr Woods sang " Jenny who lives in the Dell," with good effect. This gentleman was in particularly good voice, and in consequence did complete justice jto his song. Miss Horley sang *" The Bridge," which was very sweetly rendered indeed. A duet by the Misses Rolfe was ! the next item — " List, to the Convent i Bells" was substituted for the one on the programme. This was sung very nicely, the rendition of it showing caref vi r cultivation on the part of these young ladies, who have not bjsen practising long. Mr Miller gave the patriotic song,. " Nelson," which suited hia powerful voice well. He fully entered into the spirit of the song, which called forth well-merited applause, j Mrs Byrne sang ''Cfece Again," which was substituted for the n Lonely Harp." This song was well received. A violin solo by Mr Capes was* not the least pleasing item on the programme. Some very difficult selections from the .opera ."Ijes Cloches de Cornville," were played really well, and were heartily applauded. The gem of the evening, however, was "Mary of Argyle," sung by Miss Silk, which called forth a wellmerited encore, and which was responded to by the young lady singing "Then you'll remember me." A trio "Turn on old Time," was next given by Mrs Byrne, and Messrs Woods" and Foster, which was justly applauded. Mr Towsey sang " Ehren on the Rhine," which was well received. The song of the evening, however, if- we may judge from the applause it called forth, was a comic song by Mr Manley Ashe, "What shall we do with Cyprus." This struck the tastes of at least the younger part of the audience so well that an encore was vigorously demanded, and in response Mr Ashe sang the last verse of the song over again. The audience would not let him off with this, however, and he had to come back and give another song, "Making me a King," which was also loudly applanded. A trio, "The Wreath," by Miss Rolfe and Messrs Towsey and Foster, was well received. " The Schooner," by Mr Foster, was Riven in excellent style. Miss Rolfe then sang "Alas ! those Chimes," which was sweetly rendered. The last item on the programme was a chorus by the company, " War song of the Druids," the entertainment closing with "God Save the Queen." Most of the accompaniments were played by Mr Towsey, though some were played by Mrs Foster. The hall was then cleared for a dance, which was kept up with spirit to an early hour. Music was supplied by Messrs Towsey and Capes, and Mr P. Robertson (junr.) acted as master of ceremonies.