CONCERT AT LAWRENCE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 110, 5 June 1875, Page 13

CONCERT AT LAWRENCE.

Mb. and Mrs. Wood's long talked-of concert, in aid of the funds of the Tuapeka Hospital, came off on Monday evening. The concert was held in the Catholic school, the attendance, owing to a variety of reasons, was not very large, about one hundred persons comprising the audience. At a quarter of an hour after the advertised time, the concert commenced with an overture, played in excellent style, by Mr. and Mrs. Wood, on the violin and pianoforte. The local" portion of the entertainment commenced with the song, " Lo, here the sabre," from the opera of the " Grand Duchess," Mr. Corrison sang the solo, and the children of St. Patrick's School sang the chorus. Ballad, " The Arab Steed," Mr. Wood ; this piece was rapturously encored. Comic duet, " Le John," Miss Topsy Clark and Master James Harris. Song, " Paddy's Long Dream," Mr. Wood. Ballad and chorus, "We meet again," Mr. Cori'ison, with chorus by Miss Clark and Mr. Wood. Humorous reading from " Valentine Vox," Mr. Wood. The selection was the well-known bedroom scene, where Vox and Mr. Jonas Beagle kept awake for hours by Vox imitating the howling of cats in the bedroom. The reading was well rendered and created much amusement. Pianoforte duet, " The canary bird quadrilles," Mrs. Wood and Miss Clark. A very sweet piece of music which we would much like to hear repeated by the Quadrille Band. Vocal duet, •' Very suspicious " Miss Clark and Mr. Wood.

This concluded the first part of the concert, and after a few minutes interval (he second was commenced by selections of popular airs on the pianoforte and violin, by Mr. and Mrs. Wood. Song, " Off to Old Ireland," Mr. Wood. This piece was substituted for the song mentioned on the programme by special request. Song and chorus, " The Minstrel Boy " — solo by Miss M. A. Fahey. chorus by the Company. Song, " Awfully Clever," by Master James Harris, who received a recall, and sang in response, " What is the use of repining." Duet, harmonicon and piano selections of Scottish airs, by Mr. and Mrs. Wood. This duet called forth an encore, which was kindly responded to. Song, " Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep," Mr. Corrison. Character Song, "Captain Jinks," Mr. Wood (in character). A recall was again given, Mr. Wood singing "Nancy Barr." Song, "Driven from Home," Miss Topsy Clark. Song, " Good Evening," Mr. Wood. This was the last piece on the programme ; and on its conclusion, Mr. Wood thanked the audience for their attendance, and retired amidst a storm of applause. Mr. Carew, the President of the Hospital, then rose and thanked Mr. and Mrs. Wood, the amateurs, and the company present, for their endeavours to assist the funds of the Hospital, and spoke in glowing terms of the talent and energy displayed by Mr. and Mrs.

Mr. Wood, on again appearing before the curtain by the constant calls of the audience, said : It is very gratifying to me to find the efforts of myself, wife, and friends, and pupils, so warmly appreciated. The success of the evening's entertainment has been certainly a pleasing surprise to me, as many difficulties occurred since I first offered my services to the Hospital Committee to militate against its success. It is always a pleasure for me to assist in entertainments of this description, as the task is light, when our efforts meet with success. Again, on behalf of Mrs. Wood, Mr. Oorrison, the children, and myself, I thank you for the kind manner in which you have shown your appreciation of our services (applause). Comment upon amateur entertainments is looked upon, to a certain extent, as out of place, but the few criticisms we intend passing are of a favoiu-able Knd. The concert throughout proved, great musical taste in Mr. Wood in his selection of the different pieces, and nothing but thorough hard practice had brought come of the youthful performers to the state of efficiency they exhibited. Mr. Wood's singing was capital, and in '' The Arab Steed " he showed vocal talents far above mediocrity. Without presuming to dictate, we should recommend him to follow the higher class of ballad singing for which his voice and taste are much better adapted thaa for comic songs. The instrumental music rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Wood was really excellent, and drew forth the warmest encomiums of the audience. Mr. Corrison, who is new to a Lawrence audience, acquitted himself very well, and although he is not possessed of a very strong voice he shows evidence of musical culture. Miss Topsy Clark, who, though yonng, has contributed to amateur concerts for some years past, promises, under the able tuition of the present teachers, to attain more than average proficiency in the musical art. Master James Harris is also a singer of some promise, and he is improving at every appearance. The chorus, who numbered thirty-seven, are, as yet, " green," hut, should Mr. Wood persevere with them, they will form an excellent nucleus for the rendering of concert music on a large scale. We must here express a wish to hear this company at no distant date, and as Mr. Wood has bo kindly offered to lend his services when required, we hope, without trespassing too much on his good nature, he will undertake the management of a similar concert at th« first convenient opportunity. — ' Tuapeka Times.'