AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 40, 4 October 1890, Page 12

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, September 23. The Orchestral Union's third concert of the season took place in the Choral Hall, and proved really delightful. That instrumental items bulked largely on the programme of course goes without saying ; that they were well interpreted may almost equally be taken for granted. It was certainly a tempting programme, comprising, as it diil. overtures by Gounod and Rossini, respectively, portions of Mendelssohn, ‘Scotch Symphony,’ the ‘Daisy’ and ‘ Lilac,’ numbers from Cowen's ‘ Language of the Flowers,’ a chaconne and rigadon by Mousigny, and last, but by no means least, a quintette for wind instruments by Reicha. Now to my mind this quintette and the ‘ Lilac ’ numbersfrom Cowen's Suite de ballet were the gems of the concert so far as execution is concerned. Nothing liner than this quintette have I heard in Auckland since the Mendelssohn Quintette Club were here some years ago. The instruments were Hute (Mr Innes), clarionet (Mr Jackson), oboe (Mr Clough), bassoon (Mr Cook), and French-horn (Mr Craig), and no one instrument predominated over the other. The theme was full of suave melody, most quaintly and prettily treated in the style so suggestive of Haydn, and performers discoursed it with really delicious effect. You may be sure it was promptly encored. Equally melodious, but more highly coloured, was the excerpt from Cowen s work, which was also played von amore. Of the vocal contributions, Mr A. L. Edwards’ were decidedly the best, viz., ‘Mona,' and as an encore piece ‘The Garden of .Sleep.' This gentleman's style of singing has greatly improved since his recent visit to England. He has acquired finish and now sings with nice artistic taste. Miss A. V. Lorrigan likewise pleased the audience very much by her rendering of Bishop’s ‘ Tell me, my Heart.' Mr G. A. Paque ably wielded the conductor's baton, and the audience was very large. In fact, all our concerts for some time past have been exceedingly well patronised. Miss' Lorrigan wore a pretty cieme gown, made with low bodice and very short sleeves, aigrette of creme feathers in the hair, long creme gloves ; her sister wore a becoming pule pink evening dress, aigrette of pink feathers in the hair ; Miss Harper wore a creme gown, and Miss Harding, who played most of the accompaniments, wore a handsome evening dress of shot green and gold silk. Very few of the audience were attiied in evening dress. Mrs Hudson wore a handsome gown of rich fawn satin : Miss Heriold black silk ami lace gown, creme shawl ; Miss Devore, light green costume.- Misses Wallnutt, black and heliotrope; Mrs Knight, brown costume, plush mantle; Mrs Edmiston, black silk gown ; Mrs Clark, pretty black silk and lace gown, plush mantle; Mrs Laurie, handsome grey merveilleux gown, cream wrap ; Mrs Thompson, lovely black silk gown handsomely trimmed with jet; Miss Baker, pretty creme dress; Miss Hall, black lace dress, plush mantle; Mrs Windsor, stylish dark blue costume, fawn hat with feathers ; Mrs Day, stylish eiffel coloured gown, bonnet to match: Miss Carr, pretty pale pink dress, creme shawl: Miss McLean, black lace gown prettily trimmed with jet. The benefit perfotmance tendered to Miss Kate Howarde by amateurs proved both enjoyable and entertaining. The programme was very pleasingly varied, and commenced with the performance or the charming little dramatic piece

entitled ‘ Written in Sand,' in which the various characters were well sustained by Messrs Forrest, J. Cooper, anti Montague, ami Misses Howarde and Lester. A short and really excellent concert followed, songs being given by Mr A. L. Edwards, Miss Howarde, Mr C. White, and Mrs Kilgour, whose tasteful rendering of the Aria, ‘ Alla Stella Confidante,’ with violin obligato by Miss Freda Marsden, was undoubtedly the gem of the evening. Miss Marsden contributed a violin solo, ‘ Scena tie Ballet ’ (Beriot), with her accustomed ability. The lady also took part in a trio by Beethoven for violin, ’cello, and piano with Mr Davis ami Miss Yates, which was exquisitely rendered. The programme concluded with the highly amusing farce, ‘ Bilious,’ which was performed so successfully a few weeks ago at the Remuera Social, Musical, and Literary Society. The characters were assumed by Messrs Montague and Laurie, and Misses Howarde ami Lester, Mr Montague being exceptionally good. Mrs Kilgonr wore a handsome gown of ruby plush, opening in front over a petticoat of pink silk, long creme gloves and diamond ornaments; Miss Howard wore a trained gown of pink satin relieved with lace ; Miss Marsden wore her ruby velvet dress, and Miss Yates a becoming black gown. There was a fairly good attendance in the dress circle. Amongst the number I noticed Mrs Hanltain, wearing a dark green dress and fawn jacket; Mrs Jervis, fawn costume : Mrs Taylor, black silk gown, plush opera mantle : Mrs T. Mahoney, black costume, ruby plush mantle ; Miss Maxwell, black gown ; and lier sister crushed strawberry : Mrs Nichols, handsome b’ack silk and 'plush costume.

Whilst in town lately, I have noticed a few very attractive and tastefid walking costumes. Miss Firth wears a stylish navy blue gown ; small gem hat banded with navy and cardinal ribbon ; Miss Slator, pretty light green dress, stylish little white gem hat tiimmed with ribbon ; Misses Chew, stylish silver grey gowns, hats to match trimmed with ostrich feathers ; Mrs Alfred Nathan, handsome fawn costume trimmed with brown velvet, brown hat with feathers to match, fur pelerine. St Mary’s Church, Parnell, was the scene of another interesting aud fashionable wedding, the principal actors in the ceremony being Mr John Kenderdine, eldest son of Dr. Kenderdine, amt Miss White, of Parnell. Unfortunately I was unable to be present, but lam told the bride looked extremely' well in a stylish crushed strawberry travelling costume, small and dainty white floral hat, and white tulle veil. She was attended by two bridesmaids, Miss Kenderdine being first ; the name of the other young lady I did not hear. Mr Howard, of Grafton Road, officiated as best man. There was a large attendance of friends and spectators in the church to witness the ceremony. T have just returned from the opening performance of the Wiith Bros.’ Wild West Show and circus entertainment, for which the public have been on the tiptoe of expectation for weeks past. There Was an immense expanse of canvas sustained by four posts running down the eenti'e, each with its gasalier, and within the enclosure there was gathered a concourse of fully 2,500 people. The performance was long, and full of diversity. Two separate ring performances were progressing at the same time ; then followed the hippodrome, and finally came that portion of the spectacle which the public most eagerly awaited, viz., the Wild West Show. Several bucking horses made a bee-line for the same quarter, and the gods made for the outer air, only to return when the coast was again cleai. To sum up, the Show is on about the largest scale yet attempted in New Zealand, and to see the cowboys and the Indians is alone worth all the money charged for admission. I have no pretty costumes to describe, for owing to the draught everybody wore their thickest and most comfortable wraps.

Muriel.