WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 53, 31 December 1892, Page 1297

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, December 24. u v T he Performance of the ‘ Messiah ’ in the Wesleyan Church by the Harmonic Society was highly successful. The Pastoral Symphony was beautifully played, conducted bv Mr Parker. The orchestra was led by Mr Duff Boyd, Mr Horeland presiding at the organ, Mrs Greenwood was the soprano, and gave a beautiful rendering of her part, especially ‘ But Thou Didst Not Leave,’ Mrs Walker, of Nelson, sang the contralto feelingly, although the orchestra was a little too loud to allow her to be sufficiently heard. Her best number was ‘ He Was Despised.’ Mr E J. Hill fairly surpassed himself as tenor, giving a most artistic interpretation of his part, ‘Comfort Ye,’ being specially good. Mr John Prouse, bass, gave a truly magnificent performance of his part, quite the best ever heard here, his ‘ Why do the Nations ’ being a great treat. . All the soloists were particularly good, the quartette by them being a perfect gem. The general choruses were fair, but not well balanced. The orchestra was good, except slightly overpowering the singers at times. But on the whole, this is the best performance for many years of the ‘Messiah.’ Mrs Greenwood wore a black velvet Watteau gown, trained ; Mrs Houlder, sage green trimmed with darker silk. There was an audience of about five hundred. Among the performers were Mr and Mrs Parker, Mr and Mrs Sprott, Mrs and Mrs Kennedy, Mesdames F. Allen, Stuart. Barron, Warren, Mines, Newton, Widdop, Hammerton, Quick, Shaen, Gore, Swainson, Barron, Grieg, Burnett, Pownall, Henry, George, etc. The ‘AT HOME’ OF THE MAYORESS was a very popular function. Amongst the numerous guests I noticed Mesdames Rhodes, in a handsome black dress; Worry black Watteau costume, bonnet of pansies; Lostalot, Blackett’ Higginson ; Menteith, in grey with black sash ; Williams, handsome black dress, cream bonnet studded with jewels, and cream tips; A. Pearce, black and white silk, corselet of black and white embroidery ; G. Beetham, fawn andjbrown satin. Pompadour coat, buttercup bonnet; Izard, Fell, Richmond, Maxwell; Adams, grey costume; Ferguson; Levin, lovely grey trimmed with’ silk, lace mantle, black and white lace bonnet; Johnston, handsome black dress, jet and gold bonnet; Gore, Butts’. Blair Robinson. Seed, Bowen, Harding, Page, Haise, Simson, Morrah, Gale. Heywood, Hudson, Luckie, Stafford. Johnson, the Misses E. Johnson, J. Johnson, in lovely pale brown gown, trained with yoke of bright orange silk veiled with cream lacc, brown and orange hat; Shaen, grey figured delaine, large grey hat; Hadfield, braided fawn costume: Williams, lovely cream corduroy costume, Russian blouse, full sleeves, cream hat with crown of green silk, and marguerites: Holmes, grey, and white lace; Dransfield. cream figured delaine ; Buller, black ; Gore, cream, with large cream hat; Izard, grey t rimmed with Gobelin blue silk, black hat; Harding, cream with yellow Empire sash ; Moorhouse, Morrah. E. Johnson, crushed strawberry flounced with black lace; Blair, pale grey figured Princess gown, large hat to match ; Heywood, and Brabazon. Messrs Pennefeather (Adelaide), Levin, Beetham, Vogel, Page, Hadfield, Pearce, Werrv, Maxwell.’ and Dr. Adams. The Wellington ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY’S THIRD CONCERT of the third season was even more successful than ever. It was held at the Opera House, when there was a full house, and a most appreciative audience. Mr Alfred Hill conducted, and opened with the overture ‘ William Tell.’ Later Schumann’s Symphony in B. flat No. 1, Gounod’s * Danse des Bacchantes, and Massenet's ‘Scene Pittoresques’ were given. Mr H. Spackman made his debut as a solo violinist and played beautifully, being enthusiastically encored. Miss Grieg sang, ‘When Daisies Pied.’ with a clarionette obligato by Mr Sewell. Mr Waters sang • Montrose’s Love Song.’ The programme was short, only seven items, but these were bright and full of spirit, and most enjoyable. Mr R. Parker accompanied the songs. Miss Dugdaic the violin, and Mrs Holt the orchestra. In the orchestra Flaying first and second violins were Misses Dugdaic. Richardson ’ulcher, Henry, George, Hirschberg, Holt, and G. Kennedy—between forty and fifty performers altogether. Amongst the audience were Mrs Hill, Miss Hill, black velvet trimmed with white lace: Miss M. Hill, white gown ; Mr and the Misses Ham inert on : Mr and Mrs E. J. Hill ; M issClarice Brabazon ; Misslleywood, Mr and Mrs F. Leckie ; Miss ( oughey ; Mr and Miss Harcourt: Miss Burnett, white with yellow sash; Mrs George; Mrs (Captain) Cameron, in black with pretty pale grey fur cloak ; Mr and MrsJellicoc, the latter in terracotta; Mrs Stratton Izard blue trimmed with coffee lace; Mr and the Misses Barron : Mrs’ Ed. Richardson, in black with crimson plush cloak; Dr. Henry: the Misses Gore ; Mrs Pynsent, handsome black silk and jet;

Misses Pynsent. black lace, white fur cloak ; Air Tolhurst; Miss Graham, peacock plush cloak: Mrs Haise, pale blue; Mrs Parfitt, fawn cloak embroidered with gobi : Miss Cooper; Miss S. Cooper, pink, with white cloak ; the Misses Hadfield. Miss Malcolm. Miss Toxward. Miss O’Connor, Gobelin blue. Empire sash; Mr and Mrs Stanfield, pink; Miss Newton, mauve; Misses Widdop, Miss McCartney. Mrs Russell. Miss Parsons. Mrs Anderson, Miss Kirkcald, Miss Narburton, Mr Rous Marten, Air Biss, Mr Pilcher, etc. At MR ALFRED HILLS INVITATION COVERT. given in St. John’s schoolroom on Saturday night by himself and pupils, a very large audience was present. Air Allred Hill played a violin solo beautifully, the ladies playing violins were. Misses George. Dugdale. Holt, Barber, Kebbell, and Hirschberg. Air E. J. Hill sang • The Stock Driver’s Song.' and also joined Miss New ton in a duet, ‘There was a Time.’ Miss Newton sang the ‘Cradle Song,’ Miss Alice Widdop sang, Aly Heart and Lute.’ and was encored, and gave ‘ Last Night.' A violin duet by Mr A. Hill and Miss Lamont Kebbell was very good. Master Cimino played in a trio. The concert finished with th*» National Anthem arranged for three violins, played by Mr A. Hill. Miss Dugdale. and Miss Holt. Miss Newton wore white, with Swiss belt outlined with gold : Miss Widdop. pretty white gown. Empire belt; Miss Kebbell, pink silk ; Miss Baber, white with yellow sash : the Misses Dugdale, Holt, and Hirschberg, all white. THE CLYDE QUAY CONCERT was largely attended. The vocalists were Mrs Parsons, Airs p. P. Webb. Misses Hudson. Parsons, M. Myers. Messrs E. G. Hill. Tattle, J. Young, and J. Parsons. Recitations were given by Messrs Harbittle. and A. S. Patterson, and a flute solo by Mr Wilson, a violin solo by Mr A. Burnett, pianoforte solo by Alaster Rash were also rendered.

Ruby.