CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12, 25 March 1909, Page 454

CHRISTCHURCH

There was a record house at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday night on the occasion of the annual concert in aid of the funds of Nazareth House (says the Press). The musical portion of . the programme, which constituted the f™ P i art ' was excellent - Madame Josephine Ottlee sang lhe harp that once,' and gave it very well indeed, and she was good m her encore, 'Love is meant to make-us glad. Mrs. C. M. Brooke, who was in excellent voice was heard to considerable advantage in ' Kathleen Mavour?S? n i", 116 same may be said of her encore number, Molly O'Halloran.' The old favorite, 'The dear little shamrock,' was artistically sung by Miss Laura Treleaven. For an encore she gave an old English song, 'Come, lads and lasses.' Mr. R. Beveridge deserves very great credit for his excellent singing of ' The wearin' of the green.' This he undertook at very short notice in place of Mr. Farquhar Young, who was suddenly called out of town. For an encore Mr. Beveridge gave very successfully 'Off hlladel P hia -' Mr. R. F. Foster's artistic singing of lhe minstrel boy' made it one of the most acceptable items of the programme.. He was quite as good in his encore number. Mr. Peake sang 'She is far from the land, which he gave with much sweetness and delicacy. For an encore Mr. Peake gave 'Oft in the stilly night,' -which he sang well. Mr. Vere Buchanan's violin solo was an arrangement by Farmer of the well-known melody, ' The last rose of summer.' This -was played very finely, all the variations on the theme being given with much effect. A charming composition, 'Prison song,' by Bohm, was given as an encore. The duo for harp and clarionet; by Miss Lottie Barker and Mr. W. H. Corrigan, was a very excellent number. The harp lends itself particularly to Irish melody, and Miss Barker played well. Mr. Corrigan was exceedingly good in his part of the duo, the various Irish melodies which were interwoven together being admirably played. An excellent orchestra of ladies and gentlemen, under the conductorship of Mr. Alfred Bunz, played 'Gems of Ireland,' and a selection, ' Chevalier de Breton,' which were given with considerable effect and success. Mr. R.A. Home accompanied the songs very efficiently. In the "interval his Lordship Bishop Grimes, on behalf of the Sisters of Nazareth, thanked the very large audience for their attendance, and the ladies and gentlemen who had so generously contributed to the musical portion of the programme. The institution was, his Lordship remarked, one which aided and succored the sick, . distressed, the orphans, and particularly incurables, without distinction of creed or race, and he felt that the public's liberal support was due to their appreciation of the unselfish devotion of the' Sisters. The last part of the programme comprised cinematographic pictures, for which Mr. R. H. Rossi ter played appropriate music.