Music, Drama.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 171, 2 November 1893, Page 3

Music, Drama.

Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amtci ?

Mrs. Palmer’s Benefit Concert. The benefit tendered to Mrs Palmer (»<?<? Miss Rosina Carandini) drew a large attendance of music lovers to the City Hall. A splendid programme of sacred and secular music was presented and encores were hearty and frequent. The beneficiarc s solos were Handel’s beautiful aria, “ Angels Ever Bright and Fair ” and Tosti’s ballad “ Good Bye,” both of which were artistically rendered, and received with enthusiastic applause. Mr A. H. Gee, the favourite baritone, gave as his opening item Gounod’s noble composition “ Nazareth,” and his fine resonant voice gave a due interpretation to the dead composer’s fine composition. The artist was recalled and had to repeat the last verse. His other solo was Emanuel’s descriptive ballad “ The Desert,” which was given by request, and was received with unbounded appreciation. The instrumental items by Messrs Lemmone and Barker were as usual gems of flute and harp playing, and the former artist joined Mr F. Innes in a flute duet, which was excellently rendered. Miss Stirling sang “O Rest in the Lord” effectively, and Mr Armes Beaumont gave “ In Native Worth” with much acceptance. The trio ‘‘ On Thee each living soul awaits” (Creation) and the duet “ I waited for the hour ” were sung beautifully, and Pinsuti’s charming quartette, *• Good Night, Beloved,” closed a most enjoyable concert. Mr Barker accompanied, and as usual contributed greatly to the SUCC3SS of the evening. Mr R. Leslie, the organist, also rendered acceptable assis'-ance The company left for Gisborne on Friday last. The Wednesday Pops. Last week’s popular concert was another big success, the City Hall being attended by far more people than was altogether comfortable. The selections by Hunter’s quintette orchestra proved acceptable items. Mr Fuller’s numbers were “ The Blue Alsatian Mountains ’’ and “ When other lips,” both of which were artistically rendered. Encores were demanded, and in reply Mr Fuller sang “ The Anchor’s Weighed” and “Geraldine,” both favorite items of Mr Fuller’s and of the public. Mr Percy Dufaur gave fine renderings of “ The Bedouin’s Love Song ” and “ The Old Sexton ” and received enthusiastic recalls. Miss Fitzpatrick was highly successful in her songs “ After Sundown ” and “ Maggie’s Secret,” and Miss Mabel Maxwell, a young performer, sang “ Il Bacio,” a rather ambitious attempt for an inexperienced vocalist, and “ Dear Heart.” The young lady’s efforts were well received by the audience, each number being encored. Miss Featon sang “ Love’s Old Sweet Song” and an itemn she has given rather frequently of late, “ Fiddle and I.” This lady also joined Mr Fuller in the duet “ In the Dusk of the Twilight.” Mr Alex. Smith’s recitations were as acceptable as ever, and Miss Brabazon’s piano solos were a feature of the programme. Mr Fuller has made a statement respecting the abrupt termination of the entertainments. He said the fault was due to Mr Abbott, who wished to step in and take away from him (Mr Fuller) the fruits of his labour. Mr Abbott said he was actuated through a knowledge that the concerts were detioriating, but the true reason, Mr Fuller declared, was a desire on Mr Abbott’s part to wrest a maximum amount of gain where he was entitled to little, if any at all. Mr Fuller announced he would be given a benefit on November 9th by his brother artists, and would after that consider when he would recommence his concerts. Pollard’s Liliputian Opera Company. This clever combination, after an absence of eight months, will commence a farewell season of six nights at the Opera House on Saturday next. The initial performance will be ‘ La Mascotte,’ and on Monday Offenbach’s comic opera ‘ The Princess of Trebizonde ’ will be staged. This work is full of comedy, crisp dialogue and sparkling music. On Tuesday ‘ The Gondoliers ’ will be staged, the Southern press speak very highly of this production, and on Wednesday and Thursday ‘ Erminie,’ an opera new to Auckland, will be produced. This opera is an immense favourite in the old world, where it has been a standard attraction for the last 10 years. On Friday night the juveniles win say good-bye to Auck-

land, and will produce another novelty in the shape of Slaughter’s satirical comic opera ‘ An Adamless Eden,’ or ‘ Women’s Franchise.’ This is the latest London and American craze, and its dialogue has quite a Gilbertian flavour.

Herr Carl Schmitt will be tendered a a complimentary benefit on next Wednesday (November Bth) by the members of the Choral Society. The performers will include Mesdames Hopkins and Coates, Messrs Dufaur, Norman, and Martin, Herren Zimmermann and Tutschka, and other well-known vocalists and instrumentalists.

Miss Eloise Juno has made arrangements for a New Zealand tour prior’ to her departure from the new world, and will be piloted through the island by Mr Pat Finn, a representative of more than one London and Continental theatrical impresario, and a man eminently fitted to make Miss Juno’s Maoriland tour a success from start to finish. A very strong company has been engaged, including many old stage favourites who have been strangers to New Zealand for some considerable time. The opening of the tour took place at the Melbourne Theatre Royal, and the piece chosen was ‘ The Heart of Midlothian,’ in which Miss Juno is an old favourite.