ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2365, 4 December 1908, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HARMONIC SOCIETY.

THE HOLY CITY

The Gisborne Harmonic Society, which has been rehearsing for several months past, performed A. It. Quid's sacred cantata “The Hotly City,” in His Majesty’s Theatre last evening. There was a moderate audience. “The Holy City” is of rather better class than the usual snored cantata, and in particular affords fine scope for soprano, contralto, tand baritonevoices. Mrs. Phil Barry, who, sang the soprano parts, was in spCembd voice. Her solo ‘-‘These are They” was exceedingly well given. She sang sweetly and with expression, -and the audience, showed their appreciation by a recall. With Mrs. iSh.ierlaw, Mrs. Barry sang the duet “They shall hunger no more,” and with the Misses Hyett and Exubert the trio “At Eventide it shall be Light.” Mrs. Siberiaw’s well-balanced mellow contralto voice was particularly suited to her number “Eye hath not Seen.” The solo afforded the singer fine scope for dramatic power, and the audience was sb satisfied with the effort that an encore had to be responded to. Mrs. Shierlaw’s second number was the air “Come ye Blessed,” which was charmingly sung. Mr. Kissling sang the tenor solos-“My Soul is Athirst” and “To tho Lord our God.” He sang sweetly, though his solos suffered by unnecessary forcing -of the higher notes. Mr. Kimpton was heard to advantage in his scios, lbs fine baritone voice being especially suited to bis first number “A new Heaven and ix new Earth.” He sang with expression—though his enunciation might be improved—and be was accorded a well-deserved encore. His second number was “And I heard the voice of Harpers,” and in this Mr. Kimpton was equally successful. To both solos Mr. Vita played a harp objfgato. The chorus singing was only moderately successful, the best work being done by the ntile voices. The choruses deserving mention wore “They that sow in Tears,” “Hoy, Holy, Holy,” and the concluding chorus-quartette “Great and Marvellous are Thy Works.” Mr. Al. E. Foster conducted, jyjd the efficient or chest pi. assisted by the Messrs Vita Bros., merit more than a word of praise for their excellent work. Mrs. M. E. Foster acted as pianist and Mr. C. East as organist.

TURANGA MUSICAL SOCIETY. CONCERT AT WAEREXGA-A-HIKA. The Turanga Musical Society held its second concert for the season last night in the Public Hal'., Waerenga-a-liika. There was but a medium attendance, this being attributed in a large measure to the concert n few days ago being wrongly advertised for Pat ut alii. The society had the capable assistance of'several Gisborne soloists, and the concert was. from a musical point of view, thoroughly successful.

The opening item was the overture “Bocaccio,” for piano and violin, and its treatment by Mrs. H. J. Brownlee and Mr. 11. N. McKay left little to be desired. Mr. Aliek Gray chose as his number “Oh, Hear the V ild Winds Blow” (Tito Mattel), and gave a fair interpretation. Mr. H. J. Brownlee was in fine voice, and was recalled for his singing of “Three for Jack” (Squire) lbs encore number being “It was a-Dream.” As a violin soloT Air. R. N. McKay played two bracketed numbers, “Cradle Song” (Merkler), imd “Italian Dance” (La Tardie). He gave a finished performance, and the item was an excellent one. Mr. J. C. V oodw'trd achieved a fair measure of success with “The. Captain's Ditty” (Ellis), nnxl Alias Woodbine-Jolmsou and ilr. A. Gray, for their singing of A seller’s “Life’s Dream is O’er,” received anfomphatie encore. Air. Blundell, who has a- rather sweet tenor voice, sang “Devotion” in an artistic manner, and as an encore he gave “Times 1 Love the Moufct'ins.” Miss Wcodbine-Joluison’s piano solo “Chumininade,” was nicely played, and Air. Parsons coiributed the song “Nevermore” (Alattei). The trio for piano, ’cello, and violin, “Andante” (H-aden), played by Airs. Brownlee and Alessrs Brownlee ’and ’ALclvay. was a fair item, and Alendelssohn’s duet “O, Wort Thou in the Guild Blast” was excellently sung by Aliss Woodbiue-Johnsoit and Air. Blundell, the audience insisting on an encore. The Society contributed nine part songs in «■ manner that spoke of tong imd careful ]iractice. Tho old favorite “Oh, Hush Thee My Baby” wars probably the best, and the concluding item, “When Evening’s Twilight.” was also worthy of special mention.

The members of the Society, who live over a scattered district, vire deserving of every praise for their endeavors to promote and advance the love of good jmisie, and they are most fortuilite in having as their conductor such ail enthusiastic musician as Mr. Gray. The pianoforte accompaniments were tastefully p(jived by Mrs. Falkncr.

“AIRS WIGGS OE 'THE CABBAGE * PATCH.”

On Thursday next J. C. Williamson’s Company, by arrangement with Licblcr and Co., of New York, will produce their charming comedy-drama which has been an unqualified success all over the world. Optimism, undaunted by the rude jolting of the world's rough elbows., and simple unshaken faith in human nature, are the predominating tones in “Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch.” Mrs Wiggs, dear, kind-hearted, optimistic soul, seeing everything through rosetinted spectacles, appears to have been transplanted from tho printed page to tho lighted stage without having lost one vestige of her sterling goodness. There are thirty in the cast, and even the goat and “Cuby," the “fit horse,” bid for popular approval. Tho scenery is not elaborate in the sense of being showy, but it is descriptive of humble surroundings and preserves the atmosphere of the play. Ada Dwyer., who plays the title role, has scored the hit of her career in the part of Airs. Wiggs, which is so inviting in both its humorous possibilities and its heart interest. Lottie Alters, a gifted young actress, impersonates the character of Lovey Alary. John Webber, who is recognised to-day as. probably the best in•terpretor of village types "Upon the stage, plays the role of Mr. Stubbins, which is. second only' to Mrs. Wiggs in the play itself. Little Miss Hazy,

the meek and shiftless neighbor of Mrs Wiggs, will be played by Hcleno Lowell, the original of tho role, iho juvenile element of tho stories.of Airs Rice has not been overlooked, and; all the children have been introduced into tho scene with conspicuous juvenile mirth. The box plan will be opened at Miller’s on Monday next.