The STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 386, 16 December 1897, Page 14

The STAGE

[By

Orpheus.]

RChoral Hall: Sixth Orchesiral Concert by the Auckland Choral Society.—On Tuesday evening the usual packed audience displayed much enthusiasm over perhaps the best orchestral concert vet given by the Society. Monsieur de Willemoff, as leader, made a striking difference, and the orchestra was further strengthened by the presence of Mr Eady and Mons. Paque (’cello). In splendid form, the band rendered Adams’ dramatic and tuneful overture, “Le Brasseur de Preston;” Wallace’s bright, fascinating, and clever overture to “ Maritana;” and “ Phyllis,” a melodious and captivating raise locally-composed by Mr J. Mucfarlane, and scored for the orchestra by Mr T. Wood. As

a local production ’“ Phyllis” is a great credit to all concerned. But the greatest triumph of the band was the rendering of four movements from Beethoven’s magnificent symphony in C (op. 21), the noble Adagio, dashing allegro con brio, exquisite lovely andante cantabile, and brilliant allegro molto proving a delightful treat. A quartette (by Rheinberger), nicely interpreted by Miss Ada Yates (Pianoforte) and Messrs J. C. Keesing (violin), Dr. Cox (viola), and J. A. Beale (’cello), proved a sweet, quaint, and charming morceau, the ’cello being specially effective. Mons, de Willimoff aroused a perfect storm of enthusiasm with his masterly violin solos —(A) Alard’s Slumber Song, and (B) a brilliant and difficult mazurka, with marvellous double stops and harmonies by Zarzicky, a portion of which had to be repeated for the inevitable encore. Mr George Reid, though suffering from hoarseness, sang very well indeed Bevan’s “ Flight of Ages” and Balfe’s ever-popular “ Come into the Garden, Maud.” Miss Lizzie Blacke made a successful debut with Cowen’s “ Promise of Life ” and Sullivan’s “ Lost Chord.” This lady is gifted with a genuine contralto voice of fine quality, and sings with much sympathy. In her first song she did not quite hit the pitch of the hall, and her intonation was a shade flat; but in her second song she quite overcame this defect. Her lower and upper registers are of splendid volume, but the middle register will vastly improve by further development. Herr

Professor Cail Schmitt wielded the conductor’s baton with characteristic judgment, and Miss Ada Yates, as usual, proved an excellent accompanist.

Choral Hall : Mr Arthur Towsey’s Benefit. —On Thursday evening a rich and varied programme, as well as Mr Towsey’s popularity. attracted a full house. With the combined strength of the Lied'-rkranz. Liedertafel, and Orchestral Union, excellent effects were expected and realised. The band; led by Herr Willimoff, played an an overture by Suppe, Weber’s “Invitation a la Valse,” and a splendid selection from Gounod’s “ Faust.” The Liederkranz gave “ Joy to the Wanderer,” and Schubert’s “ Serenade,,’ Miss May White, though palpably nervous, acquitting herself well in the sdo. The Liedertafel contributed a full share t> the general success. Felicien David’s weird compo-ition, “The Desert” proved the gem of the evening, Mr G. M. Reid singing up to his best form, and Messrs. Trenwith and Morath singing minor parts effectively. Dr Egan read the descriptive monologues with finished elocution. Songs were successfully rendered by Miss May Dudding and Mr Higgott. The former possesses a fine soprano voice, but should persevere in the development of the middle register, and guard against a

too liberal use of the portamento. Mr Higgott’s voice is a really good basso cantante, which will greatly improve by careful development. Mr Towsey conducted with his customary success, and Mr Cyril Towsey accompanied the concerted morceaux on the piano with taste and precision. City Hall : Neilson’s Projectoscope and Kinematograph. — On Thursday and Friday evenings a really splendid exhibition of Edison’s marvels scored a brilliant artistic success, although the attendance was by no means equal to the merits of the show. Now that the holiday seasoa is at hand Mr Neilson should reap a good harvest, both at his show rooms and in the City Hall, where he will no doubt give further exhibitions. Both instruments are quite the best of their class. On Tuesday evening the Auckland Banjo and Guitar Club held a successful concert, details of which must be held over till next issue. Miss Eileen O’Moore (Bessie Doyle).—For Wednesday next (22nd) at the Opera House, an event of enthralling interest to the musical public is announced. Miss Eileen O’Moore reappears in Auckland after an absence of ihree years, during which period her career has been one uninterrupted series of triumphs in Europe. Only one concert can be given, as dates are absolutely fixed for a New Zealand tour, during

which 30 concerts will be given. Miss O’Moore will be supported by Mr Reginald Coke (pronounced Cooke) a celebrated violoncellist pupil of the great Piatti, and sometime member of the famous Joachim Quartette. Madame Coke, a delightful mezzo - soprano (fellowstudent with Miss O’Moore at Leipzig) will also appear, and Miss Mabel Maxwell, with whose singing at Mr Boult’s concert Miss O’Moore was greatly impressed, is also engaged. Mr and Madame Coke only arrive from England on Monday, the 20th, and naturally will need a brief rest before appearing, hence the impossibility of holding the concert before Wednesday. The programme is not definitely arranged, but Miss O’Moore’s morceaux will include Paganini’s famous concerto in D Major, which European critics pronounce one of her masterpieces. A finished solo pianiste and accompanist, in the perto i of Mademoiselle Vartha, of Dunedin, completes a concert company of rare strength and merit.

In the course of a long and delightful chat with Miss O’Moore, “ Orpheus” had the privilege „f inspecting and handling (aconcession indeed!) the splendid instrument with which the spirited young lady performs such magical feats. It is the best work of Antonius Straduarius, a high model built of the finest materials, with a beautisully cut scroll and characteristic sound holes. The

tone is superb, combining power, resonance, and sympathetic timbre. The instrument is valued at £BOO, and was the gift of one of the fair violinist’s many admirers—her list must out-number Don Giovanni’s historic “ catalogue.” Another “ on the list” is sending her a chef d'oeuvre in the shape of a bow with a large diamond flashing in the heel. With the generosity of her nation Miss O’Moore, on receiving her Strad., gaveaway the fine instrument upon which she performed when last in Auckland. It is needless to urge all loveiS of music to attend the Opera House on Wednesday evening—they will be there sure enough. Mr S. JA.CKSON and Miss Harding’s Private Concert.—On Monday evening a delightful programme was faithfully performed at the Choral Hall. Pressure upon our space unfortunately forbids my noting in detail the many charming morceaux given. A capital orchestra, under the baton of Mr Jackson—whose firm beat and correct tempos prove him a born conductor—rendered several pieces in excellent tune and style. A trie for violin, piano, and clarionet, by Eaton Faning, proved a gem, Miss Florence Walker, a very young violiniste, showing capital form, her bowing being remarkably correct. She is a pupil of Mr Jackson. Miss Elsie Gilfillan, another very young lady, played a difficult violin solo by Alerd from “ Masaniello ” wonderfully well, and being encored gave a romance by Berthold Tours. Mrs Sidney Nathan, Miss Tilly,

and Mr Tracey Hall contributed excellent vocal items, and the Waiata Quartette covered themselves with glory in four lovely morceaux. One of the greatest treats of the rich bill of fare was a wind quintette by Reicha, deliciously interpreted by Alessrs Innes (flute), J. Jackson (oboe), S. Jackson (clarionet), R. Craig (horn), and G-. Wright (bassoon). Mrs S. Jackson played all the accompaniments admirably, and Mr S. Jackson and Miss Harding have reason to feel proud of their pupils’ performances.