WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XV, 11 April 1903, Page 1031

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, April 2. The Wellington Liedertafel gave their first concert of the season on Friday in the Sydney-street schoolroom. It was a “Ladies’ night,” and a very large audience assembled to listen to what proved to be one of the best concerts the society has ever given. Mr R. Parker conducted in his usual able manner, and the glees, part songs, etc., went splendidly. We especially enjoyed “O Sanetissima” and “Drink to Me Only,” and in the latter Mr R. B. Williams’ sweet tenor voice was heard to great advantage in the solo, which was delicately and softly accompanied by all the male voices. Doorak’s Sclavonic dances, arranged as a pianoforte duet, was brilliantly performed by Mr Parker and Miss Joan Parker, and Miss Grace Kennedy was most successful in her violin solos, accompanied by Miss Joan Parker. Miss Jean Ramsey was the only lady vocalist, and gave the greatest pleasure by her songs, both of which were encored, her best effort being “Tell Me, My Heart.” Mr Searle gave “Smile and Bid Me Live” very well, and Messrs Carr and Ballance sang a most stirring duet, while Mr Foster sang “Dids’t Thou But Know.” Abt’s “Laughing Song” finished up the programme in a most cheerful and amusing way, sending us all home in high good humour. Miss Jean Ramsey looked exceedingly well in a white silk gown, with a long train, the whole being veiled in blaek lace, and having a pointed overdress of black satin bands, the bodice being brightened with pink roses; Miss J. Parker wore a simple pale blue gown, and Miss Grace Kennedy, cream satin, with bands of black jet. In the audience I saw Lady Hector, in rich black satin, with bertha of jet; Miss Hector, in white; Miss Lucy Atkinson, in a pretty white silk gown, with numerous tucks round the hem; Miss Harcourt, in black; Mrs Sprott, in plum coloured silk, with corsage of coffee coloured laee; Mrs Ernest Coleridge, in cream satin; Mrs Walters

(Waikato), in pink accordion-pleatet chiffon, with lace collar; Mrs Duncan, in a handsome trained gown of black, trimmed with lace; Mrs lan Duncan looked well in black, with black velvet bow in her hair; Miss Miles, in white; Miss Foote, in black; also, Mrs (Prof.) Brown, the Misses Skerrett, the Misses Quick, Mrs and Miss Holmwood, Mr* Johnson, Mrs Parker, Mrs Briscoe, Mr* Kennedy, and the Misses Barber, Richardson, Parsons, Knowles, Page, Patterson, Shanno, Judge Denniston, Dr. terson, Shannon, Judge Denniston, Dr. Hector, Mr Joynt, etc.

An excellent evening's entertainment was provided by a number of the Victorian College students on Tuesday last in the Sydney-street schoolroom. The first portion of the programme was composed of miscellaneous items and the entertainment concluded with an amusing production of W. S. Gilbert’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern,” acted by the students in three tableaux. The dramatic personae was: —Hamlet, Mr F. A. de la Mare; King Claudius, Mr G. Toogood; Queen, Miss N. Batham; Ophelia, Mies F. Roberts; Rosencrantz, Mr A. S. Henderson; Guildenstern, Mi- R. Watson; first player, Mr G. Bogle; second player, Miss E. Page; Polonius, Mr Quartly; courtiers, Messrs T. Seddon, R. Mithcell and Stout. In the first half there were some very enjoyable items. A pianoforte duet by Misses J. Parker and Page opened the programme. Songs were given by Mrs F. P. Wilson and Mr Alex. Newton, the latter being encored for his very clever comic singing. Recitations were given by Messrs Clark and Toogood, and a violin solo by Miss Moran. A number of lightning sketches by Mr E. F. Hiscocks greatly pleased the audience, who would gladly have seen more of this artist’s wonderfully quick and elever work. In spite of the wet night there was a large and appreciative audience, among whom I noticed Sir Robert and Lady Stout, Professor and Mre Brown, Professor and Mrs Easterfield, Mr and Mrs R. Parker, Mr and Mrs Powles, Mr and Miss Harcourt, Miss Foot, Professors von Zedlitz, McClaurin and Joynt, Mrs and Miss Stowe, Mrs

and Miss Batham, Miss Fraser, and nth css.

The Theatre Koval was crowded on Wednesday night for Mademoiselle Dolores' first concert. Aiademoi-elle was as* aisled by Mr. John Prouse as vocalist, and Mr. Claranee Newell pianist. Again Mademoiselle delighted her hearers, who greedily clamoured for more after each of her songs, and, though her share of the programme was very large, she graciously responded to encores. Undoubtedly her finest performance was in the beautiful shadow song, from C. F. Meyerbeer’s “Dinoru.” The difficulty of the runs and trills, with their curious intervals and phrasing, were accomplished with perfect ease and sweetness, and the singer was loudly recalled. Lovely floral tributes of various designs were showered upon her throughout the evening. As an encore number to her last item Mademoiselle sang the ever-fuv?‘irite “Cornin’ Thro’ the Rye,” and quite captivated the audience. Mr. Newell’s accompanying was quite a treat to hear, and his solos also were greatly enjoyed. Another concert is being given to-night. The theatre is sure to be crowded again, as it is not often we have such a musical treat. Mademoiselle looked charming on Wednesday in a rich trained gown of palest pink satin, made in the Princess style; the skirt was open at each side, showing accordion pleated fans of a lovely deep shade of pink, finished with quaint pearl drops. The elbow sleeves and berthe were of handsome white lace, also trimmed with pearls, and she wore a lovely diamond necklet and brooches. Miss Prouse, .'.ho played for her father, wore a handsome white brocade gown, with lace sleeves and berthe. Sonic of those I noticed in the audience were, the Hon. <II. and Mrs. Mills, the Misses Mills, Mrs. Richmond, the Misses Richmond, Dr. and Mrs. Fell, Mrs. and Miss Parker, Mrs. and Miss Gore, Air. and Mrs. Walters (Waikato), Mrs. Symonds, Air. and Mrs. 11. Rawson, Mr. and Mrs. W. Martin (Featherston), Mrs and Miss Stafford, Mrs. and Miss Prouse, the .Misses Skerrett, Mrs. and Miss Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Symonds, Mr. and Mrs. Blundell, Mrs. and the Misses Blundell, and others.

OPHELIA.