ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2315, 7 October 1908, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE BURNS-SQUIRES CONTEST. Great- iutorest may safely bo said to bo excited 'in tho advent of the kinomatographic reproduction of tho great Burns-Squires event so successful.', y secured by tho enterprise of Messrs Edwin -Geaeh, MacMahon, and Carroll, and the fortunate weathor and other propitious conditions prevailing. Tho picture, which covers upwards of half-a-niilo of film, and occupies ono hour in passing, is said to bo realistic and exciting in the last degree. The company report having had phenomenal success with tho picture .in Auckland and tlio IVaikato, -and arrive by the s.s. Victoria this afternoon to commence a season of three nights at His Majesty’s Theatre. The box plan is on view at Mr. Miller’s, and those who have not hooked a seat are recommended to do so at once, as there is sure to be a crowded attendance. ORCHESTRAL CONCERT. The Gisborne Orchestral Society has reason to bo proud of the enthusiasm that was shown at tho second subscription concert, which was given in His- Majesty’s Theatre last evening. The large number of subscribers who crowded the building have reason in turn to -be proud of the work of tho society, for tlio programme submitted was one that was full of merit, and each item thoroughly deserved the flattering reception it- received. The opening orchestral number was tlie overture from Balfe’s opera ‘ ‘Siege of Rochelle,” which opens with u saxophone solo and full accompaniment, the stringed- instruments being prominent. The music is tuneful, and here and there the ear catches a few bars of French martial airs, the whole blending in perfect harmony. Schmid’s transcription for full orchestra- of Robaudi’s song, “Alla Stella Confidente,” was a conspicuous success. Tlie song opens in tlie andante movement, the fine harp solo being a distinctive feature. The cornet then takes up the melody, and the air is in turn repeated on the saxophone. Tlie orchestra, in full concert, emphasises the strains in the allegro movement, and the music, in perfect rhythm, works back to the andante, tlie transcription closing with tho strains of the harp. The song is preserved throughout, and' the item was so perfect- a peice of dblineat-ive music that the audience demanded on encore. A unique and pleasing item was the march fantaisie, “Atnadis,” set as a duo for harp and piano by Karl Oberthur. Tho duo is a pleasing composition, and affords opportunity to blend two so similar instruments in tone as tlie harp and piano in perfect harmony. Tho harp sotting is distinctly acceptable, and l Mr. D. Vita gave a fine performance. Mrs. M. L. Foster also gave a finished and artistic interpretation of the piano music. The grand concerted march from Mattel’s oper;i “Maria di Gaud” was a stirring orchestral number. The music is truly operatic, and varied airs follow in quick succession in full keeping with tho concerted whole. The music from the brass anil stringed instruments during tho interpretation of this number was manifestly true, and, needless to say, tho march had to be repeated. Grieg’s dance, “Anitras,” and a selection from Lehar’s light opera, “The Merry Widow,’’ wero two bracketed numbers that had to be repeated. Tho graceful movements of tlie dance were well produced, the clarionets being responsible for the air, with tho full orchestra to support them, tho cornets pleasantly breaking in from time to time. The selection from tho “Merry Widow” was in lighter vein, and this was the first' time that any of the music lias been publicly performed in Gisborne. The music is most captivating, .and the “Merry Widow” waltz, which was included in tlie selection, won instant favor. The final orchestral item was a well-cliosen tie-, lection from Sir Arthur Sullivan’s romantic light opera, “Tlio Gondoliers.” The selection contained most of the more popular, numbers of the opera, and thpse being familiar to the audience, the music met with a warm welcome. “There Lived a- King” (saxophone), the tenor song, “Take a Bair of Sparkling Eyes” (comet), and the gavotte from the throne-room scene recalled pleasant memories among those who have seen the full opera produced, the selection concluding with the “cachuca” or tout ensemble of the last act. .Miss Blanche Garland, who possesses a contralto voice of fine quality, combined with a pleasing and winsome manner of singing, at once made friends with the audience by her readings of Batten’s “Love -Song of Har Dyal” and Amy Woodforde-Em-den’s “Yo San.” Miss Garlands singing is full of sympathy, expression and simple charm. She possesses the rare art of singing to her audience, and of interpreting the pathos of the music. Her most suitable number was “Yo San,” which has a pleasing air, the accompaniment containing a few bars of catchy Japanese music. The audience was so charmed that an encore was demanded, and Miss Garland replied with the pathetic little song, “Three Blue Bonnets,” which went straight to the hearts of the .audience. For her singing of Sainton Dolby’s “Out on the Rocks,” which showed the artist’s sweeter and softei notes to advantage, Miss Garland was accorded a double encore, and replied with the old favorite, “Allan Water. Mr. IV. Johnson Brown, who has a light but sweet baritone voice was pleasing in his interpretations of Noel Johnson’s songs, “The Rose and “The River and the Sea, and, in response to an onooro, the old English song “Beware.” Mr. Brown'd number in the second part of the pro(r ra in me was Woodfordo-T liiden *s “Kishmiri Song,” which was sung with fine softness of voice, and, an encore being demanded, Mr. Brown contributed “Tlie Millwheel.” Great credit -for the success oi tlio concert is due to the conductor, Mr. M. L. Foster, who lias brought tho orchestra to such a high musical standard, and to Messrs F. B. Palairet, G. Adair, J. Brown, and J. Chnsp, the latter gentleman as secretary, tor their work in preparing the performance. Mrs. M. L. Foster acted as accompanist© in a most efficient manner. The concert grand piano used was lent by Messrs E. Chnsp and S During the evening, Mr. Foster thanked the subscribers for the support given to the society, and an: uounced that, at an early date, a benefit concert would be tendered to Mr. R. N. McKay and' Messrs Vita Bros, who have many times given the society much valuable assistance.