CATHOLIC CONCERT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 4, 23 May 1890, Page 15

CATHOLIC CONCERT.

(Thames Evening Star, May 1.) The concert given last night in tie Academy of Music, ia aid of the purchrsj of the allotment in Willoughby street on which the Catholic Hall sands, was a most anquahfied success, both ia a musical and a finincial point of viyw. The programme was of especial excellence, and to bvers of good music it was undoubtedly such a treat as has very rarely indeed been offered to them at the Thames. The attendance was very good, the front seats and gallery being filled, while tiere was a fair number in tbe pit. The fact that several vocalists and instrumentalists of repute who were strangers to the Thames were announced to take part, attracted a very representative and appreciative audience, among whom were members of every denomination, and judging by the applause, as well as by the repeated encores accorded to the several performers, they must have heartily enjoyed the concert.

The first item on the programme was an overture, " Manola," which was performed by the Orchestral Society, under the condnctorebip of Mr. Beale. This, together with another piece, entitled " Potpourri," with which the second part commenced, was much appreciated. loptead of taking each item seriatim, we will briefly mention each performer, beginning, of course, with the ladies. The first who sang was llm. N. Payne, whose reniition of " Ora Pro Nobis" was greatly admired. Her voice was clear and unfaltering, and the enunciation was perfect. la response to an imperative encore, she gave, " No, Sir " with equal success. In the second part she sang, in the costume of an Irish peasint girl, "The Isle that's crowned with Shamrocks," and in response to an inevitable encore, " Dear Little Shamrock," both of which, appealing as they did to the many Irish hearts present, were warmly appreciated and applauded. Miss Josephine O'Reilly, of whose abilities as a vocalist we have beard through the Sydney papers, was warmly received on her appearance on the pla form, and as the opening* notes of the song " The Lost Chord," were heard, it was evident that her reputation had not been by any means exaggerated. She fairly astonished the audience by the wonderful volume and range of her pure contralto voice, evidencing the most careful training, and we do not think we ever be*rd the well-known song rendered in a more finished and effective m-inner. She was rewarded by a shower of bouquets, and for an enc-re gave an Irish song, ''Kitty of Coleraine," with great spirit. Iq the secjnd part Miss Josephine O'Reilly gaveHulla's " The Turee Fishers." and in this she was, in our opinion, even more successful than in the first, it being sung with the most exquisite pathos and expression. Tne audience rapturously expressed their approval, and insisting on an encore, she sang " Barney O'Hea," putiiug into it such an armunt of by-play and fun as to show that she is as good an actress as she is a vocalist. Rev. Dr. Bgan played all the accompaniments on the piano for Mias O'J&eilly. Tne next lady vocalist was Miss Swan, of Auckland, who possesses a mezzosoprano voice of remarkable sweetness and melody. In both her songs, " The Blind Girl to her Harp," and " Kathleen Mavouroeen," she very favourably impressed the audience, and fur encores to each she kindly responded by singing ■' I'm the merriest girl about," and ■' A kiss and nothing more." " Gathering the Myrtle with Mary," was a very pleasing rendition, and was highly applauded; and "The Minstrel Boy" was very sweetly sung by Mis 3 McLaugtilia. Among the male vocalists the first was Mr. Vowels, who sang " The White Squall " in his usual tffdctive style. Rev. Dr. Egan gave " Alia Stella Confidente "in a very finished manner, showing he po^ewes a cultured voici, though not a powerful one, and so pleased the audience that they insisted on an encore, for which he sang " 1 11 Die for Thee " with equal succe3B. In the second part of the programme Dr. Egan sang " Father O Fiynn," and this was one of the greatest successes of the evening, fairly carrying away the audience by the expression and fidelity with which the item was rendered. An encore being called for, Dr. Egaa gave " I'm not myself at all," for which he was heartily applauded. Mr, Christie gave a very pleasing rendition of the song " Silver Cup." An instrumental trio, selections from "Norma," was given in the first part by Dr. Egan (flute), Rev. Father Lenihan ('ce.lo), aad Miss Mcllhone (piano) ; and another in the second part, " Rjmanza," by the same. Both these were very pleasing and finished performances, evincing undoubted ability, and were deservedly warmly applauded. Rev. Dr. Egan's performance on the flute in a solo, "Li Z'n*arelia," showed him to be a fiaisbed. flautist, fully maintaining the reputation which preceded him by the masterly manner in which he played botn on the piano and the flute. A quartette, "Goodnight, gentle folks" was capitally rendered by Messrs. Catran, Small, Steward, and Vowles ; and a choras, " Dawn of Day," very pleasingly sung by the choir of St. Francis' Church, under the leadership of Mrs. Bruce, brought the programme to a close.

A special word of thanks is due to Mies Mcllhone for the exceedingly artistic manner in which she played nearly all the accompan - ments during the evening, through a very long programme, and she is fairly entitled to the ctcJit of having materially assisted towards the success of the performance. Rev. Dr. Egan, as we have said before, playet the accompanimints to Miss Josephine O'Reilly's items, and Mr. H. H. Small alsj assisted on one or two occasions.

At the close of the concert Rev, Father O'Reilly came forward and briefly expressed his bincere thanks to those piesent for their attendance, an J also to all the ladi. s and gentlemen who had so kindly assisted in any way towirds the success of the entertainment. He said he would especially thank those who were not members of his own flock, and he assuied them that he warmly appreciated the friendly feeling which had prompted their action. The singing of the National Anthem brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.

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