ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5843, 9 March 1906, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TOWN HALL ORGAN. MR BARNETT’S SECOND RECITAL. Mr Maughan Barnett, who' on Tuesday evening opened tho new organ at the Town Hull, gave his second recital on the instrument last evening and was again complimented by the attendance of a very large and thoroughly appreciative audience. Mr Barnett huneoif has saiu that an organist may give many performances on this fine and comprehensive instrument before he exhausts its possibilities. The truth of t' statement lie demonstrated during tho course of his long and delightful programme yesterday evening. Although of necessity he employed many of the stop-combinations which ho had* so effectively used at the opening, he introduced and with equal satisfaction to his hearers, many now *’agglomerations”—if tho term may bo permitted—of / musical sounds. So excellent wore these that it was almost impossible to resist v--temptation to applaud even before the completion of the them© which the iustrumoiitalist was giving out. Mr Barnett has a j) re tty way of introducing his programme number with a short improvisation—not a silly vulgar series of arpeggi as is so commonly the case, but a musician like pro ludiu m o r volu nI a ry. which, without announcing the coming theme, introduces it, and ’ renders the expectant audience familiar with its tonality.

His first number was Mendelssohn's "Cornelius March,” a composition in which tho hero c.f Leipsic did credit to his reputation ns the ‘'King of March” - writers, and in which Mr Barnett, by Ins admirable judgment in the management of tho instrument, showed his own capability, his mastery of technicalities and h:is clear understanding of Mendels-sohn’s-intentions. In strong contrast to tho stirring strains of this sxilcndid inarch come tho andante con mbto of tho “Italian Symphony” from the prolific pen of the sum© musical giant. This number, which was brackettcd with the first, was, of course, intended to set out the softer and perhaps more elegant stops of the new organ. And it was well chosen. Tho auriores staccato pedal accompaniment and tho plaintive minor movement were extremely well played. It was all too short. Such music cheers ono and takes some of the dull greyness out of life. But perhaps the organist’s greatest triumph as player was in Bach's wellknown fugue in G, minor. Many organ, !sts take this composition move rapuhy than Mr Barnett did but our opinion m that his tempo was very well chosen; for while giving out the subject and answer and tho wondrous net work of sounds which tho great contrapuntist wove around a very simple theme, the player maintained the high dignity of the composition and yot so clearly enunciated tho parts that it required no ear foil 0 "’ them throughout ail their complexities. It was a noble performance of a noblo work. A beautiful andantino in I) flat came next iu order. S,. ls a quiet, x*eaceful, yet haunting utile melody, unpretentious in its scope and .treatment and t worked out to a natural conclusion in a natural way. It would have been a discredit to the audience if it had not been appreciated. But it was, and the tumultuous applause which followed it provoked and received a repetition of the last movement. Paderewski Minuet in G as translated for the organ by Mr Barnett met with a similarly effusive demonstration of approval. It is a dainty, delicate little morceau—a tuneful, graceful melody embellished with rapid flights of scale passages and arpeggi. but never losing the stately d.gnity of the true minuet form. iho encore was imperative. A fantasia on National airs arranged by the organist followed. We fancy Mr Burnett must have scored this piece with the view of displaying as far as possible tho possibilities of tho Town Hall organ T-l+u a T ei T’ great extent; but at the same time it served to show tho player s capabilities as an executant. Ifc is a transcription which would tax the powers of any one eo far as tho work on tho manuals is concerned; but in the March of tho Men of Harlech" there is a terrific pedal passage which in its tremendous forej and energy, and in its rapidity, would stagger many a fine instrumentalist. A feature of this number (and it was also shown in others) was the consummate skill with which Mr Barnett "reduced” tho tone-volume ot the instrument from its loudest roar by almost imperceptibly gradations down tni mi Veri€St whls P« r -' lt was delightful Iho programme was concluded with a fine rendering, of Lefebure-Wely's nasi torale in C and his offertoire in F. Hr Maughan ’ Barnett's third recital win be given to-morrow evening.

JOHN F. SHERIDAN COMPANY;

The John I. Sheridan Company repeated the successful musical comedy, “The Amorous Mrs Murphy" at tlics Opera b6foro another large audience. The piece met -with a most cold ml reception. To-night there will be n i-! °f favourite musical comedy, I he. Earl and the Girl.” The com! pany s season closes to-morrow- night 6 bl,, ‘ n f mel y. "The Circus 4.U f, Rcond act of "The Earl and the Girl, the curtain rising at 7.45. THEATRE ROYAL. Each item a long and varied programme presented at the Theatre Roval bv .fullers Entertainers is enthusiastically received. Miss Cecilo Stephano is warmly applauded for her ballads. The coon specialists, the Brewers, provide a unique turn. Mr Carl Collier, Mr Harry Davis, and Mr .lack . Hagan supply an acceptable number of comic songs. The Golden Duo sing a pleasing love duet, the programme will be repeated to-night and changed to-morrow. *TB KANGI PAL" Music lovers will welcome the announcement in our amusement columns this morning of the forthcoming reentree to Wellington of the New Zealand contralto, who has become eo widelv known by her native name of “To Rangi lai, and who during the past several years has held a .ugh place in tile musical circles of the Old Country, notably at the Royal Albert Hall. Queen’s Hall, St. James’ Hall, Hie Crystal Palace, and in the principal musical festivals throughout Great Britain. “To I?angi Pai ’ will appear at a vocal recital in the Town Hall on Thursday evening next. The programme will be popular, and she will bo supported by Miss Amy Murphy, the young English bass, Mr Handley Wills (his first appearance in Australasia). Mr W. B. Cadzow (lyric tenor!. Mr Cyril Towsey at the piano, and Mr Max Hoppe (violin), Mr James M.icMahon, who is directing, announces pqpu ar prices, and that the box plan will be opened at the Dresden on Monday next.

CHARLES HOLLOWAY COMPANY. On Mcnday evening at the Opera House ilr Charles Holloway's Dramatic Company (under the direction of Edwin Geach) open for a brief season, presenting as- the initial production the fine melodrama. “Two Little Vagabonds,” a remarkably successful play. The Holneed very little introduction to Uellington theatregoers, as the capable manner m which everytliing has been done by them in the past warrants a repetition of the same in the present season. Interest is attached- to Miss Beatnce Holloway’s conception of Dick. which_ is highly spoken of by critics. Miss Mabel Russell will bo the other vagabond Wally. Tlie season being short. Two Little Vagabonds” will onlv be staged-for a limited number of night* Box plans are at Holliday’s, and earl'v door tickets for stalls and family circle can be obtained at Abel’s. The curtain rises at 7.50. Miss Madeleine Webbe, the clever Auckland pianiste, and Miss Gertrude Spooner, another young pianiste of talent, are to give a recital in Wellington next Miss Webbe intends to prosecute

her musical studies this year at the Melbourne Conservatoire. In a private letter Mr Harold Ashton, representative for Mr .1. C. Williamson, writes from Washington that ho has secured several theatrical attractions for the colonics. Mr William Collier, the noted comedian, and a full company, are to leave America next month for Sydney, but as the season is restricted to fifteen weeks, it is improbable that the company will bo seen in Hew Zealand. 11l tiring his brief stay in America, Mr Ashton' (who leaves San Francisco for Auckland at tlio ond of this mouth) says that he has met a great number of theatrical folk well known in New Zealand, among whom were Cecil Ward, Geo. Tilheradge, Arthur Lawrence, Harry Roberts. and w. F. Hawtrey. 'Messrs MacMahon’s New Dramatic Company having just concluded a highly successful tour of the South Island, [Kissed through Wellington yesterday on their way to Auckland, playing eu route tonight and to-morrow at Palmerston North, Monday next at Dannevirko, Tuesday at Hastings, and Thursday and Friday at Napier. They commence a season in Wellington at the Opera Hon to on May sth.