PUPILS OF THE DOMINICAN NUNS. ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT AT THE CITY HALL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue XXV, 24 December 1897, Page 19

PUPILS OF THE DOMINICAN NUNS. ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT AT THE CITY HALL.

The public have long learned to look forward to the annual entertainment of the pupils of the Dominican Nuns in the confident anticipation of a rare treat, and never yet have they been disappointed in that expectation. The entertainment on Friday evening last proved no exception to the rule. There was, as there always is in the entertainments promoted by these gifted teachers, something fresh, striking, and original, and everything attempted, without a single exception, was performed in the most effective manner possible. The entertainment this year took the form of a Picture Concert, in which various striking allegorical and mythological pictures were beautifully represented in living statuary by the pupils of the College. There was a very large and warmly appreciative audience. The first item by the pupils was an allegorical picture, " The Flight of Time," in which were represented Father Time, the Four Seasons, the Guardian Spirits of the air, and the gliding of Time from the old year to the new. The picture was very beautiful, and the admiration of the audience was expressed in long and hearty applause. An appropriate lecturette was admirably delivered by one of the pupils. A grand duo de concert " Capricante," was then played in splendid style on three pianos by six pupils of the college. Three other duos, two waltzes by Chopin, and an overture by Gurlitt, were also played in the same way on the three pianos, and with such skill and such perfect precision that even a careful listener, trusting only to his ear, would have declared that only one piano was being used. These pianoforte selections were keenly enjoyed by the audience, and it is certain that but for the rule prohibiting encores most, if not all of these items would have had to be repeated. "A holiday scene in Andalusia," was the subject of the next picture. The girls were dressed in the costume of Spanish maidens, and after song and chorus in praise of the " Land of the vine and olive, lovely Spain," the band joined hands in a merry but graceful frolic dance. The audience would gladly have had a repetition of the picture but the rule already referred to had to be respected. The next item was a vocal solo, " A birthday," by Miss Lucy Connor. Miss Connor, who has now quite established her reputation as a vocalist, was heartily and deservedly applauded for her effort. A mythological picture, " Jove's message to the nine," followed. The picture represented Mercury, the messenger of the gods, arriving on Mount Parnassus, and delivering to Apollo and the Muses the command of Jove, to prepare music and song for the great banquet which Jupiter was about to give in honour of Minerva. An appropriate lecturette was delivered by one of the pupils and the item was rendered still more interesting and enjoyable by the bright and cleverly-written dialogue which was introduced. The picture was one which lent itself very readily to scenic effect, and it must be admitted that the very most was made of the opportunity. As the changing lij>ht fell upon the classic group the effect was strikingly beautiful, and the audience from time to time broke out into enthusiastic applause. A very pretty ami graceful skirt-dance, which was introduced in the banquet of the gods, was very greatly admired. The next picture. '" The Circassian midgets," while very s'riking and pretty, had more of the comic element than any of the others. The representatives of this diminutive race were provided with Chinese umbrellas, and their remarkable performances with these instruments, along with their quaint and curious dancing, afforded the audience the greatest enjoyment. A determined effort was made to secure a repetition of this item, but without success. The concluding item was a* Dissolving View " which included all the performers and afforded ample scope for beautiful lime-light effects. In this, as in all the other picturescenes, appropriate choruses were rendered by the children in a manner that showed careful and skilful training. An efficient orchestra played some very enjoyable selections at the opening of both parts of the programme and accompanied the children in the choral work. Altogether the entertainment was a complete success and was entirely worthy of the high reputation which the Convent pupils and their gifted teachers have so deseivedly gained.

At the conclusion of the entertainment the Rev. Father Murphy, on behalf of his Lordship the Bishop, who was unable, through indisposition, to he present, thanked the audience for their attendance in such large numbers and the children for the very great treat they had given them. He warmly complimented the children on their great success in the Government Inspector's examination, and he hoped and confidently believed that the school and college would continue to maintain the high standard which they had now reached. He heartily wished them all a merry Christmas and happy New Year, and prayed that God's best blessing might follow them throughout the rest of their lives.