TRAMWAYS MILITARY BAND.

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1918, Page 3

TRAMWAYS MILITARY BAND.

A crowded house greeted the 'Wellington. Municipal Tramways Military. Band on the occasion of its recital in. His Majesty's Theatre last night, and the large audience was most* enthusiastic in its appreciation of the vocal and instrumental items. Mr. David -Lyle; the popular tenor of the English' Pierrots, was in excellent voice, and charmed all with his songs, particularly "Songs of Araby," "Laurette," and "Come Into the Garden, Maud." He is always a favourite performer, and his. reception last night, while also of a "send-off" nature, was a tribute to his popularity and talent. Mr. Charles Laurence, of the same company, gave two monologues in his own inimitable style. The lady singers were Mrs,

Walter Cate, a contralto, and Miss Alma Le Fevre, a Dunedin mezzo-soprano, ■whose v voice, though light in timbre, is pleasing in simple songs, not calling for any dramatic force. The outstanding features of the band's items were the "0 Solo Mio" serenade (Edicapura) and Sullivan's tuneful "Gondoliers" selection. In the former the haunting melody was well sustained, and 'in the latter its catchy airs were rendered in full accord with the.composer's idea. The bandsmen played with finish and a nice spontaneity in attack which made for a capital performance. Rossini's rather hea,vy overture, "Tancredi," was rendered with vim, the chromatic passages being accomplished with ease. The dashing Sousa march, Liberty Bell," concluded an excellent •recital. Mr. B. Curry wielded the baton most efficiently.

ELOCUTIONAEY RECITAL. Colonel J. R. Purdy, who is wellknown as a talented amateur, is to give an elocutionary recital in the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-morrow evening, under Vice-Regal' patronage. The programme is well selected and varied, covering a wide range in subject and style. Proceeds are to be devoted to the Red Cross funds.,

WATERSIDE WORKERS' BANT!. The concert given by the Waterside Workers Band at the Paramount ■theatre last night was in every way an excellent one, fully maintaining the reputation of the band. There was a crowded auaience, which received the various \*n mil w, ith every token of appreciation. All the band numbers were played with that care and intelligent expression which the musicians have acquired under Mr. ■T. J. Drew's conductorship. ''Goddess of the Night," a beautiful overture, was much admired, and a popular selection, Jichoes of the Opera," won hearty applause. The marchi "Victoria" was played with vim. Bandsmen Dittmar and Grant accfuitted themselves creditably in the duet "Excelsior.'•'. The assist-ing-artists were Signor Lucien Cesaroni, basso of the Cappelli Concert Party, and Miss Laura Wright, soprano. Signor Cesaroni was enthusiastically received, and had to respond to numerous encores. He sang' "Infelice" from" "Ernam" (Verdi), and scored a decided success, also in '.'Vieni la mia Vendetta" "(Donizetti.). His encore numbers included Sanderson's "Until," the "Marseillaise 1! and "Parted" (Tosti), all of which', w,ere equally appreciated. Miss Wright's singing proved quite to the liking of the audience. Her numbers were "Nearer My God, to Thee," "Let Us Forget," 'I Am Longing for You," and "Harbour Night Song." Miss P. Anketell was the accompanist.

The final performance of the English Pierrots prior to leaving to-day for Perth, via Melbourne, was given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Saturday night, before a crowded house. The lady members of the company were "snowed under" with flowers and sweets, and there were many- manifestations of the popularity of the departing performers. ■The? Pierrots re-open in Wellington in May nest. '