THE HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 9189, 16 June 1880, Page 2

THE HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

4 ' • A conaert ia aid of the funds of the Harmonic Society was given last night, in the Princess Theatre. The dress circle was well filled, but other parts of \ the hall_oftly .fairfy-vyell patronised^. 'At ten minutes paat eight the programme was commenced. The overture "La Fee de Potsdam " was pretty well rendered. There was, however, a slight unsteadiness in several parts. The chorus that followed " Hail, Happy Day," by the.full -strength of the Society, went very well, evidencing some considerable attention to practice. " Madeline," by a gentleman, was rendered in a pleasing manner, although rather weak. "By the Lone Sea Shore," by a lady, narrowly^ missed an encore. The clear enunciation , of every woi'd, and the sweetness of this well-known voice gave evident pleasure. Then followed a duet by a., lady, and gentleman, "Flow, gently, Dova," which was, with the exception of some hesitation in the time of the gentleman, rendered with very great accuracy and taste. It was highly pleasing to the audience, who frequently applauded. That old favorite chorous, "Ye Banks . and. Brae's," by the Society, was successful in "carrying the sympathies of the audience. The gentleman who sang in ■ the last item but one appeared to much more advantage in the song, " The Blacksmith." He show, d a just appro ciation of the music lie had- before him, and imparted a lair amount of energy to his effort. A violin solo, <; The Soldier's Chorus," by a gentleman, with pianoforte accompaniment, was well received. It was played very brilliantly in parts, and the time.wag almost faultless. The Society in tho chorus " The German Fatherland," kept excellent time and a good tone throughout. This was rendered with a Bpd-it which neither of the . previous choruses possessed The first • part of the programme was brought to i a close by a Fantasia by the full Band The second portion of the .programme ' was commenced •by the. Band playing as • an" overture " Lodoialsa ' which was a : dismal affair all through, and com- ! manded very faint applause. It was,' ; • however, not owing to faulty execution, I but to the : style, of the music, that the I absence of" appreciation may be attris buted. A short chorus, " Away, away,'. > by the full strength of the Society, went I very well, but there was not the necesc sary volume of sound to do it justice. r A gentleman, who hardly, ever appears i but he pleases his; audience," sang 5 " The Lifeboat," and quite carried i an enthusiastic audience by. storm.. The latter were sold, howeyo'r,.'when,i in answer to an encore, he repeated t the last verse, and took refuge behind , the scenes. The second encore was un- \ answered. An enjoyable quartette ' " Crabbed Age and Youth," by geotle- , men, followed. 'The gem of the evening | was certainly "Nina," by a lady. The fine voice this performer possesses had full scope in this song, and, being siing in a very spirited manner, drew from I the audience an enthusiastic encore. ' We have never heard this lady to better j. advantage than in this song, which was listened to with rapt attention throughout, except where perhaps unwary ap- " plause would break the spell. A fairly- . rendered chorus, "Banks of Allan Water," was followed by a song frum a j gentleman. The next song, which was sung by the Society's "funny members," , fairly brought down the house, with of course an encore. The last item on the j programme was a glee by the Society, "The Chough and Crow," which was . capitally rendered. The society then sang ihe National Anthem. This part B of ttie'e'ntertaihment was characterised t by more spirit, and consequently by a T more sympathetic audience than the I first part On tho whole the Society 3 may be congratulated upon a successful B concert.