MUSIC ART AND DRAMA

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 20, 17 March 1894, Page 15

MUSIC ART AND DRAMA

A large audience was present at th° third “ Herren Abend” of the Wellington Liodcrtafel, which was hold in Thomas’s Hall on Monday evening last. The singing was as usual quite up to their standard, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. For the benefit of the uninitiated we may explain that a “ Herron Abend” means an evening’s amusement for gentlemen only, when after r certain hour smoking can be indulged in while the performance is going on. Its introduction is half German and half colonial for in the old country and in several of the “ Turn Vereins” in Australia, smoking and the drinking of mild beer is allowed, and the additional pleasure of tho presence of the ladies is also assured. Your true German cannot take his amusement with any degreo of happiness unless his wife and family are with him. Why then cannot we transform our “ Herren • Abends" into “ Allogeinoino Abends” that all can enjoy? Our opinion is that if such a proposition is carried out the ladies will' not object to a cigarette or cigar. But to return to the performance itself. Part first opened with the “ Integer Vitas ” given as a part song. It was well 6ung and mot with merited applause, a solo followed and then a quartette after which thore was another part song and then a voilin solo by Mr. MacDufl Boyd. Two part songs rapidly succeeding one anoth.r concluded the first part. The Bccond part of the programme was really a diversified repetition of the first and quito as interesting. The musical public havo to thank the Liedertafel for their entertainments which are worthy of oven a greater patronage than they received at pr^ c ent.

Walter Howe s dramatic company’, which includes Miss Hilda Spong, "is doing good business at Christchurch. They will soon he in Wellington where they wiT play a brief season. We understand that “Petie” Hughes formerly with Messrs. Williamson and Musgrove is in advance of the company.