VISIT TO DUNEDIN OF THE REV. DR. EGAN, O,S,B.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 32, 27 May 1892, Page 13

VISIT TO DUNEDIN OF THE REV. DR. EGAN, 0,5 ,8.

Thi Bey Dr Egao, 05.8., of Auckland, arrived in Dunedin on Saturday, and was received at the Bishop's palace by the Most Bey Dr Moran and the clergy of |the mission. On Sunday the Bey Doctor celebrated the 9.15 Mass in St Joseph's Cathedral. At 11 a.m. Dr Bgan, who also holds the degree of a Doctor of Music, at the request of Mr A. Vallis, the choir-master and organist, acted as conductor. The choir, which now numbers between forty and fifty members, performed the " Kyrie " and " Gloria " from Mozart No. 2, and the 11 Credo," M Sinctus," and •• Agnus Dai " from Weber's Mass in " G." The solo singers were the Misses Morrison and Mills (soprani), and E. Murphy (contralto) ; (tenors) Messrs Smith, Eager, and Dunne ; (basses) Messrs Cantwell and Woods. At the offertory Dr Egan sang Niedermeier's " Pater Noiter." The music, in every instance, went extremely well, including the responses of the Mass, which were unaccompanied, and in which the volume of voices was rich and faultlessly harmonious. In the evening Vespers and Benediction of the Moat Holy Sacrament took place as usual. The hymns " Aye Marts Stella " and •' O Saoctissima " were sung in harmony, alternately with the organ and unaccompanied, the performance being most meritorious and well-balanced, and the effect extremely fine. Dr Egan again sang Niedermeier's " Pater Noster." Mr J. Jago sang Gounod's " There is a green hill far away," and Miss Bose Blanay Garcia's " Salve Begina," with violin obbligato, beautifully played by Mr E. Parker. Each solo was in its particular way per* fection. As much may also be said for Bossi's " T*ntum Ergo," which was sung as a duet by Mr Jagg and Miss Blaney. On Monday evening, Dr Egan, on the invitation of the Bey Father Lynch, Adm., and accompanied by the Most Bey Dr Morao and the Bey Fathers O'Donnell (Port Chalmers), O'Ntill and Murphy, visited the St Cecilia's singing class, held once a week in St Joseph's Hall, and instructed in the Tonic Sol Fa system by Mr Braik. An entertainment took place, in which the distinguished visitor had chief part. As a singer and reciter of humorous compositions there are few, we do not say in this colony, but anywhere, who can excel the Bey Doctor. His performance is in every respect exquisite. On this occasion he gave "Father O'Flynn," "I'm not myself at all," a burlesqne of Italian opera, a band of cork minstrels, a cats' serenade, a temperance lecture, and a story told by a " dude " of a friend who had got his hair cnt. The inimitable drollery of each performance is impossible to describe. It wai that of a finished artist, and of this the best possible proof was to ba marked in its complete refinement. Such a performance is not only amusiog to the most side-splitting degree, bnt elevating as well . As such it is quite In keeping with the ■acred calling of the rev gentleman who goes through with it. Vocal or instrumental selections were also given by the Misses Drnmm and Pearson, and Messrs W. Woods, E. Dunne, A. Murphy, and J. Deaker, as also by the members of the class as a whole. Each performance was highly creditable. The music conoluded with a Vivat, conducted by the Bey Father Lynch.

His Lordship the Bishop then proposed a rote of thanks to the rev visitor, in which he referred to the exeellenoe of bis performance and the kindness with which he had given it. His Lordship alto ■poke of the pleasure it gave him to see so many of the yonng people of hie flook engaged, under a competent teacher, in the study of the charming art of manic . The rote of thanks was carried by acclamation. Dr Bgan, in responding, alluded to the satisfaction with which he fonnd thst music was so much appreciated in Danedin. What he bad seen of the singing class present, he B*id, had pleated him extremely. He had also been highly gratified by the manner in which St. Joseph's choir, which he had conducted on Suoday, had performed their task, and be looked forward to very finished and importent results. The Bey Doctor was again warmly applauded. We may add, for our own part, that a visit to St. Ctollia's sing, ing class furnishes a guarantee m to the future of saoted musio among the congregation of Bt Joseph's Cathedral. There is abun« dance of excellent material, numbers of good voices and cjrrect ears among both lasses and lads, and effectual means are being taken to make them available. There is now, as we are Informed, a move* ment on foot at Borne for a reformation and improvement of obnrob music, in which it is supposed less dependance will be placed on in. dividnals and the solo singer will lose bis excessive prominence, bat congregational singing will be more encouraged. It would seem that this new and better system is in a fair way of being anticipated in Danedin, and the Bey Father Lynch, Adm, to whose foresight, oom patent musical judgment, and religious leal, the initiation and aatis* factory working of this undertaking are due. deserves the gratitude and congratulations of the Oatbolio people of the city. The manner in which this measure has merited the approbation of so high and trustworthy an authority as the Bey Dr Bgan places the complete seal of approval upon it.