MUSIC, DRAMA, ETC.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 50, 9 July 1891, Page 2

MUSIC, DRAMA, ETC.

Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amici ?

On Thursday evening last the Amateur Orchestral Union attracted a large audience to the i Choral Hall. The programme was faithfully carried out, and was a good one, although - many again remarked that works by the greatest composers were conspicuous by their absence. - In explanation I may say that the management are compelled to cut their coat according to •the cloth available in the shape of music. They are quite willing to give works by Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Rossini, Mendels- ■ sohn, etc., but the scores must first be obtained. However, if the public continue to patronise the concerts as liberally as on Thursday evening, doubtless a fund for the purchase of new music will soon be raised. Another desirable addition to the programme would be some good string quartettes or quintettes. The Society has on its roll the cream of our violinists, and the difficulty with regard to music would not apply in this case, Wallace’s popular overture to “ Maritana opened the With the exception of a slight uncertainty in intonation on the part of the brass instruments it was rendered crisply and well, the fugal passages being taken up with especial precision. Mrs. Isidore Alex--ander followed with Meyerbeer’s “Lieti Signor,” from the “ Huguenots,” —a rather ambitious selection — which the lady bravely attacked and got through creditably. Miss Ada Yates played the accompaniment admirably. An orchestral suite by Greig, “Peter Gynt,” in three numbers, replete with beautiful harmonies, tender and graceful melodies, and clever orchestral effects with muted strings and pizzicato accompaniments, was capitally rendered by the orchestra, and delighted everybody. The next number on the programme was Jude’s not very interesting song, “ The Mighty Deep,” carefully sung by Mr. E. H. Barber, whose voice, although of good quality, proved scarcely powerful enough for the task of singing to an orchestra. The accompaniment, skilfully arranged by Mr. Clough, was finely played. Gounod’s “ Saltarello,” remarkable for some very interesting orchestration, arid a very equitable distribution of “ fat ’ among the various instruments concluded the first part of the concert. It was effectively rendered, narrowly escaping an encore. The second part of the programme opened with Von Suppe’s military overture “ Light Cavalry” which I have previously noticed in this column. It was rendered in dashing style—the only slight defect being due to the brass instruments in one or two places. However, the audience insisted upon having it again, and the repetition was a far better performance. Mrs. Isidore Alexander next sang “ The Harp in the Air,” and acquitted herself much better than in her previous selection. The fine mellow notes in her lower register told most effectively. Miss Ada Yates again accompanied with discretion and taste. A scherzo by Onslow for a quintette of wind instruments proved quite the gem of the evening. In Messrs. Innes (flute), Clough (oboe), Jackson (clarionet), Cook (bassoon), and R. Craig (horn), Auckland can boast a combination which would require a long search to equal in the Australasian colonies. The selection was a charming one, and execution, intonation, and balance were so perfect that an enthusiastic encore greeted the last notes, and the repetition was equally pleasing. The “ Air de Ballet,” by the French composer Massenet, opens with an exquisite minor, quaint and elegant, yet with a ring of pastoral sadness suggestive of the death of a village beauty. The gavotte from AmbrbiseThomas’ “ Mignon” is remarkable for dainty finish and refined taste. It is- full of simple but pleasing orchestral effects. The orchestra rendered this elegant number with delicacy and precision, winning an undeniable encore. Eilenberg’s “ Uhlan’s Call,” a characteristic piece of the superior military band order, wound up a most successful performance. Mr. Paque, who conducted with care and viligance, must be congratulated on the success of the very efficient orchestra under his command.

AMY VAUGHAN’S SATURDAY NIGHTS.

This ingenious lady seems never at a loss for some good idea. The latest is to rig her company out as a “ Salvage Corp.” A capital

effect is produced by the young ladies in their shining helmets and trim costumes ; while the finale where the well-known picture of the “ Darktown Fire Brigade,” with all its ludicrous surroundings is faithfully reproduced, was a very happy thought, realized and elaborated with brilliant success. Mr. Harry Cowan, who will be. remembered as one of the ablest members of the Harvey Minstrels, is an invaluable addition to the strength of the company. He is a gifted negro comedian, and his simulated terror when listening to a tale of woe related by Max Rinkle fairly convulsed the house. Misses Amy Travers and Winiard danced a sand jig so prettily, and also sang the “ Glu Glu ” duet from “La Mascotte ” with such taste as to win encores for both performances. Mr. F. Willis, who possesses a good baritone, sang a ballad extremely well, and Messrs. Corbett and Diamond gave an excellent double song and dance. Miss Vaughan in her seriocomic gems quite maintained her reputation. The farce in which the goose went “ high,’ elicited roars of laughter. Here and there perhaps just a soupqon of vulgarity might be detected, which I advise the management to avoid in . the future, but I repeat that Miss Vaughan’s company is a credit to our local talent, and wish her a continuance of the success which she is winning, and so thoroughly deserves.

The Auckland Choral Society performed Haydn’s “ Imperial Mass,” and Spohr’s “ Last Judgment,” on Tuesday evening, before the customary crowded audience. Want of space compels me to hold over notice until next week. Orpheus.