IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT.

West Coast Times, 19 March 1910, Page 4

IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT.

The annual Irish National Concert—an entertainment with which Irish people in. every part of the world conclude their yearly celebrations in honour of their patron, St Patrick—was held local ly last evening, and attracted a good house at the Princess Theatre, the circle and fro'nt scats especially being packed. Prior to the commencement a short programme was played outside the building by the Municipal Band, under Bandmaster Phillips. The concert amply fulfilled the expectation of a first class entertainment, proving most enjoyable from beginning to end, and reflecting upon those responsible for its organisation, the highest credit. The programme consisted of a wellvaried selection of items, and so greatly did it please the audience that practically every performer had to respond to an encore. One of the concert’s best features was the instrumental music, the contributors individually and collectively acquitting themselves admirably ; while the vocalists in every instance fully merited the tributes which they received. The juvenile performers, St, Mary’s Schoolboys, gave a couple of quartettes with choruses in fine style, their renditions disclosing numerous vigorous and sonorous voices. The Convent Orchestra added considerably to the ’success of the entertainment, and their playing was a treat for the listeners. The concert opened with an overture by the Convent orchestra, who gave a splendid rendition of the selection “ Geras of Ireland,” the instrumentalists being Misses U. Sullivan, K. Foster, N. Crowe, E. O’Connor, Masters Martini, and Stopforth (violins), and Misses M. Sullivai] (('(;llq')j anij P, Dprrjngtqn (piano). Master T. Stopforth followed with the solo, “Will My Soul Pass Through Ireland,’’ which ho sang so well that an encore was demanded. “The Last Rose of Summer,” ns a solo on the violin, was artistically rendered by Miss May Sullivan and met with a very favourable reception. Miss Malfroy was heartily encored for her solo, “0, Stepr My Rai'k,” that favourite number being very expressively sung by her. Rev. Father Ainsworh greatly pleased his hearers in the song “The Sprig o’ Green,” which was excellently glvjin, am] in response fq an imperative recall he gave “A Nation Once Again,” with which he also gained the enthusiastic applause of the audience. The next item was one of the most popular on the programme, being a clarionette solo by Mr Clarkson, entitled, “The Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow.” Mr Clarkson showed himself a master of lii’n jnstruriient, an<| the audience were hardly satisfied after hearing him twice. Mrs Richardson achieved another of the chief successes of the evening in her song “The Dear Little Shamrock,” her line soprano voice being heard to splendid advantage in this as also in her encore number. Twenty of the hoys of St. Mary’s School sang “O’Donnell Aboo” as a quartette with chorus (the leaders being Masters W. Cudehy, J. Toomey, T. Stopforth, and T. Pain and this stirring martial song met with a warm reception. The Convent Orchestra, opened the second part with another well-played selection, “Rambles Through Ireland,” and then Misses A. Stopforth and M. Jones danced an Irish jig, which had to be repeated, the little dancers excelling themselves (though what was the reason of their numerous vociferations during the dance is not known, as such do not belong to Irish dances). Mr Clarkson repeated his former success in a couple of further clarionette solos, and was followed by Mrs Stavely who sang very feelingly the celebrated “Irish Emigrant,’' for which she was loudly applauded, having as encore to repeat the last verse. Misses Una and May Sulivan eaptn ed the hearts is well the ears of the. audience in their pianoforte duet, “Irish Diamonds,” which they played with great effect, and it had to he repeated. Mrs Richardson was again called hack tor her second contribution and did equally util in her encore number. The quartette “God Save Ireland” by the hoys concluded the programme. Mrs Beare and Misses A. Daly, U. Sullivan, end Dorrington played the accompaniments during the evening. The singing of the National Anthem brought the concert to a conclusion,