ENTERTAINMENT IN DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 46, 21 August 1891, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENT IN DUNEDIN.

Thb entertainment given in the Choral Hall on Wednesday evening, the 12th inst, in aid of the funds of the Society of 8t Vinoent de Paul, was in eTery way a suooess. The programme, whioh had been well selected, was admirably carried out, and the hall was crowded. The vocalists were the Misses R. Blaney, M. Morrison/Robertson, and K. Blaney, and Messrs Maosoo, Hopcraft, W. Cantwell, P. Oarolin.B. W. Dunne and K. Eager. The Misies K. Molooey and K. Dickinton were the instrumentalists. The programme commenced with the quartet " Evening Song," by Naater, which was sung without aooompanimeot by Messrs Oarohn, Hopcraft, Oantwell and Manson.'.and whioh, notwithstanding a tendency shown by a tenor roice to be slightly erratio in cerUin paesages, went very well. Mr B. W. Dunne sang Blshop'i '« The bloom is on the rye " pleasingly. If, however, when next ha tries the number be would skip the run with which in one particular bar the shy damsel is addressed, he would be still more successful, la response to an encore he repeated the concluding verse. Mr T. J. Lynch followed with a recitation " Turnin 1 the Points," by Overtoil. Mr Lynch displayed amasing powers of memory and exoellent feeling and expression. The selection, nevertheless, although quaint in its humoor and pathos, «4ruck us as tending a little more towards the Metbodistic than was quite desirable. It had, besides, a faint didactic tone as bearing on the long hours of railway employee*. Mr Manson came next with apparently a new song, the name of whose writer was not stated. It was named " The Bose, Shamrock and Thistle," and was very pretty, receiving able treatment from the gentleman to whom it had been entrusted. A violin solo " The wealing of the green," by Carlo Volti, was then played in a praiseworthy manner by Miss K. Dickinson, who continues to fulfil the promise given by her of marked proficiency <m her instrument. Randeggeri " Joyous Life " was afterwards sung by Miss Robertson, one of the Dominican Convent pupils. This young lady possesses a charming voice-sweet, fresh and clear, and her singing of this song was particularly bright and taking. Mr J. Hally concluded the first part of the programme by a intelligent reading of Lever's sketch •• The loan of a grid iron. " The stage had been charmingly adorned for the occasion and was all that the most recheroU taste could design or detire in the way of a buodoir. It was evident that some cultured eye had supervised the arrangements. We doubt, however, as to whether the effect of carpet and hangings and other impedimenta, however elegant, was favourable to the efforts of the musicians. We are certun that in being called on to perform on a piano with its lid down and placed against a wall, the young lady who opened the second part of tbe programme was at a disadvantage. The item in question, nevertheless, was one ot the gems of the evening. It was a fantasia on Irish airs by Sivrai and was played by Miss K. Moloney. The music was very beautiful and it is no flattery to say that the performance did it full justice. Miss Moloney joins to a brilliant execution and a delightful touch, genuine taste and understanding. We may add that qbe acted rs accompanist throughout the evening with complete success. Miss Monison sang •• Robin Adair" with much sweetness, and as an encore •• T'was within a mile of Edinboro' town," in which ber singing was also highly appreciated. Miss R. Blaney tang Gounod's " Aye Maria," with violin obbJigato by Miss K. Dickinson, both young ladies acquitting themselves to admiration, and Mißs K. Blaney sang the " Meeting of the Waters " very prettily and in a manner bespeaking better things still for the future when her voice. which possesses excellent qualities, becomes mature. The Mines Blaney also sang as a duet Piccolomini's » Ora pro Nobis," of which they gave a most pleasing interpretation. In every case during the evening in which fair vocalists sang there was an enthusiastic encore and bouquets felt in showers upon the platform. The gentlemen singers in the Utter part of the programme were Mr ssrs Carolin and Eager, of whom the former contributed in an acceptable manner 8 Adams' " Mona," and the latter gave with fair effect " The Irish emigrant." Mr S. Simmonds gave a capital recitation of some pathetic verses entitled " Smiting the Rock," by Overton. The Rer Father Lynch, during an interval in the performance, came on the platform and apologised for the absence of the Bishop, who, he said, would most willingly have been present, if possible, as tbe interest taken by his Lordship in tbe Society of 8t Vincent de Paul and their work was very keen. He also thanked the audience for tbeir preset ce and the performers for the services so kindly and admirably rendered by them, alluding further to the satisfaction it gave him to find tbe members of the Catholic Literary Society co-operating in the work of cbaiitv.