ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3375, 15 November 1911, Page 5

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

CONCERT TO SUBSCRIBERS. An atmosphere of appreciation pervaded the large audience at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, on the occasion of the complimentary concert tendered by the Gisborne Orchestral Society to its subscribing members. If there be one local musical organisation more than another which lias altogether secured the favor of the public, it is> the Orchestral Society. ' Under the direction of its enthusiastic conductor, Mr. Mainland Foster, the society Has set a high standard, and that standard has not only been maintained, but raised by succeeding performances. The conductor had 33 performers under his baton last night; the parts were well balanced, and the high-class performance given compared more than favorably with the best of the professional combinations which have been heard here, with the single exception of the splendid orchestra which accompanied Williamson’s Opera Company this year. The concert opened last night with a selection of airs from Wagner’s beautiful opera, “Rienzi,” (which included the introduction to finale Act 11., ballet Act 11., “Oh, Dream of Youth,” Adriano Act 111., Malstoso Act 11., and concluded with the finale to Act 11. The composition was characteristic of the composer, and was very finely inter-, preted by the orchestra. That the capable work of the instrumentalists was appreciated was evident from the storm of applause which came from all parts of the house at its conclusion. The famous quartet from Verdi’s popular opera, “Rigoletto,” was another splendid piece of instrumentation. The dramatic intensity of the composition was excellently maintained, and the performance provided keen delight to the audience. One of the most popular numbers last evening was the ent’racte, “L’Extase,” from the pantomime “Mdlle. Pygmalion,” by the French composer, F. Thorne. The beautiful harp arpeggios with which the composition opens were excellently played by Mr. D. Vita, The theme was nicely taken up by the strings, and a very fine effect was produced when the brass and wood-wind'instruments joined in, the finale being particularly fine and full. An arrangement from Puccini s popular opera, i ‘Madame Butterfly, was another effort by the society which found immediate favor, more particularly as the music was familiar on account of the opera having been so recently heard here. A novel item was the piano concerto, “Concertstuck, op. 79 (Weber). This opened with a Tempo di Marcia, which was beautifully taken by the orchestra, and led into the piano solo (piu mosso) and the Presto Giojoso. Mrs. E. C. Selwyn Hamlin was the soloist, and the highly artistic manner in which she interpreted the music proved that she* is an artiste of high culture. The beauty of the treatment of piano and orchestra, _ both independently and in combination, provided a rare treat, and something m the nature of a furore followed the performance, the concluding portion of which had to be repeated before the audience were The work of the orchestra finished with a distinctly bright and inspiring interpretation of Edward German’s “Coronation March, which had more than passing interest by reason of the fact that this march was performed at Westminster Abbey on the occasion of the coronation of King Georgs V. Altogether the work of the society was up te the high standard of previous performances. Much of the success achieved was due to the capable work of Mr. Foster, who throughout led the orchestra most artistically, and his baton was closely followed. A departure from the usual . custom of obtaining soloists from outside was made at this concert. Both the singers last evening were local residents, and it must be that the audience did not suffer on this account.

. Mrs. Phil. Barry has for many years past been a firmly-established favorite with Gisborne audiences. The lady was in splendid voice last evening, and enhanced her already high reputation. Stephen Adams’ tuneful song, “Roses,” was selected as her opening- number, and, with the picked orchestral accompaniment, provided an undoubted treat. The applause which followed was very hearty and spontaneous, and lasted until the soloist reappeared and repeated the last verse. . In the second part Mrs Barry gave a highly finished interpretation of “The Soul’s Awakening” (Haddock), and. orchestral accompaniment being supplied. An encore rvas insistently demanded, and the lady complied by repeating the concluding portion of the number. Mr. Andrew E. Morris at once gained the entire sympathy and approval .of the audience by his natural singing and fine quality of voice. Guy D’Hardelot’s “Because” suited the singer admirably, and a finished performance was greeted with warm applause. A bright interpretation of Herman Lohr’s “The Little Irish Girl” was given, as an encore, and was equally enjoyable. Mr. Morris, in the second part of the programme, sang “Mary” (T. Richardson) with delicate expression, the beautiful flute-like quality of his upper register notes being much admired. An encore was demanded, and the vocalist again highly delighted the audience with a delicate and artistic interpretation of “She is Far from the Land.” . The accompaniments to Mr. Morris s songs were most sympathetically supplied by Mrs. Mainland Foster. The concert was in every respect a pronounced success, and a general desire was voiced after the performance last night that the society might see its way to come before the public moi e frequently than it has done m the past.