DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 23, 7 June 1890, Page 11

DUNEDIN.

May 27.

Dear Maude.

Mis* Alive farewell benefit concert came off on Friday night in the Garrison Hall. * Little Lord Fauntleroy opening the *aiue evening at the theatre materially affected the house, but not the concert, which was one of the best held in Dunedin for year*. This is great praise considering the Exhibition series, including Santley* concerts, are included in the remark. Not only was Miss Wooldridge herself in magnificent voice, but she wa* supported by some of our best artists. Mr Bath wa.* musical director, a position which he ha.* so long filled in Dunedin to rhe great pleasure of all those who come within his range. His accompaniment i* always *o soft and expressive, and the soloists always hail his presence at the piano with delight. Mr Bath and Mr Timson opened the concert by playing a piano duet. ‘ The ladies who assisted Mi*s XVooldridge were Mrs Murphy and Miss Ro*e Blaney. Mrs Murphv sang in her very best style, while Miss Blaney brought down the house with * Nea. This young lady has a grand musical future before her if she receives a professional education. She is only eighteen, but she has a gloriousvoice, and - sings a* easily as a bird. There is no effort or facial contortions, and it will be a thousand pities if she is not able to use to the utm»j«*t her gin. A good voice is a great gift, yet some of those who possess it do not appreciate it a* they should, especially among men. The folly life of singers goes very much against the voice. But. to return to the concert. The gentlemen vocalists were Messrs Den*em. Smith. Rennat, Young, and Embers. M’ <ang • of My Heart ’ splendidly, his deep rich voice showing to great advantage. The stage wa.* prettily decorated with pot plants, and several bouquets were handed to the lady •luring rhe evening. She leaves by rhe Arawa next week for England. The Savage Club had their first meeting ia*r night. It wa.* not a ladies’ meeting : that will eome later on. * Little Lord Fauntleroy ’ has. of course, been drawing crowded hou.*es. Perhap* it was bearing *o much about it. but I did Dot care for it quite-so much as I thought I should. The child calling its mother * dearest ’ does not **>und to me as sweet as - mother.’ but the authoress declares it wa* a way of the child s own. That dear old word, mother, will never be beaten. La grippe laid in for the company. and on Saturday night the leading lady was so hoarse as to l«e scarcely audible, and on Sunday the agent was running about looking for some one to take her part. No one. however. being forthcoming, the programme was the same, although Miss Winthrop was evidently suffering. Several others of the company are feeling the sickness, and a good many coughs interrupt the play. The Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show was held on Thursday. There was a splendid display of fruit, and the chrysanthemums were gorgeous in endless variety and shades. Most people love a dower show, and there are so few private entertainments just n*»w that people are glad to g»> anywhere. Richie gave an entertainment one evening last week, at which there were private theatricals. With the exception of this t here has been nothing at all socially. Nothing is heard here of the rink this winter. The craze for it *eems quite to have died out. although I believe in England winter it was all rhe rage. We generally follow the fashion that is set at Home, but in this instance New Zealand ha* venture*! to go its own way. What the girls will do for excitement during the winter I do not know : they will reduced to keeping house. The Hon. Mrs Reynolds takes a great interest in the Kindergarten, and ha* from time to time got up concerts. » me takes place to-night, a number of ladies taking part in it- I shall have more to say about it in my next letter. The weather is cold and wintry, and -not to be depended noon* as the visitors used to say when they were here. There is eveiy prospect of a wet winter, a fact that will r«e hailed with delight by farmers, who complained last *eason that it was far too dry. Messrs Bath and Schacht have started a series of chamber concert* for Saturday evenings. The music is of a very good character, as it is sure to be if presided over by Mr Bath. He is a great favourite among musical people. * Rvby.