"A MUSICAL FEAST."

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT AT HIS MAJESTY'S.
AN ARTISTIC PROGRAMME

Time was when Gisborne possessed a first-class orchestra which gave regular concerts, which were like oasis in the desert of entertainment. For some unaccountable reason this capable band of musicians broke up, and no more were their sweet pipes and lutes heard in our music halls. It came as welcome intelligence a few weeks ago to hear that an effort was being made to get together the full orchestral strength of the district, in order to give a concert in aid of the Belgian and patriotic funds. The movement was taken up enthusiastically, and success was practically assured when that capable and popular conductor, Mr Mainland Foster, consented to take up the baton. The promoters were fortunate in securing the services of such a talented vocalist as Mr G. Lamont Gurr to lend variety to the programme. The keenest interest has been taken during the past few weeks in the concert, and this was heightened when it was found that the services of Miss Coralie Seymour Stanley, a noted descriptive dancer, had also been secured. Public interest culminated in a fine house at His Majesty's Theatre last night, when the concert eventuated. The dress circle was crowded, and there was also a fair downstairs house, though a few empty benches showed in the front rows.

Punctually at 8 o’clock, the orchestra of 17 instrumentalists opened with "Die Geschoppo dis Prcmistlieus" (L. Beethoven), the fine composition being exceptionally well interpreted. The tone, time and rhythm were alike good, and showed that the musicians had given careful study to the composition. The overture aroused the warmest enthusiasm and gave everyone present a foretaste of the treat, in store. So insistent was the applause that the last movement had to be repeated. Mr Mainland Foster then announced that Mr G. Lamont Gurr, who was down on the programme to sing that fine song "The Trumpeter," was unfortunately unable to appear, as he was suffering from a relaxed throat, but that Mr V Harre had consented to take his place. Mr Harre, who had stepped into the breach at very short notice, gave a most acceptable rendering of the song, the spirit of which appealed to the audience at the present juncture. The orchestra was next heard in "Alla Polacca de la Serenade," op. 8 (L. Beethoven), and here again the audience were afforded a distinct treat, the dainty theme being cleverly sustained. The orchestra opened the second part with the selection, "Madam Butterfly" (Puccini), and this proved a decidedly popular performance. Perhaps the finest work done by the musicians during the evening was in the concluding selection, "The Firefly" (R. Friml). The madcap movements of this difficult composition put a severe test on the ability of the performers, but they came through the ordeal with flying colors, and a perfect storm of applause broke forth from all parts of the house at the conclusion. In addition to the selections mentioned, the orchestra did excellent work in supplying accompaniments to the vocalists and the descriptive dances. Their work can only be described as first class, and it will be a thousand pities if this talented band can not be induced to remain together in order to supply the public with many such musical treats as that of last evening.

The appearance of Mrs G. Lamont Gurr was greeted with a warm welcome from the well-filled house. The lady chose Edward German's bright song "Love Was Meant to Make Us Glad," as her opening number, and imparted a delightful joyousness to the tuneful composition. The audience were not slow to recognise a cultured vocal effort, and an insistent demand was made for a reappearance. As an encore number, Mrs Gurr sang charmingly a quaint little composition by Levey, "Daddy and Babsy," which met with much acceptance. The lady was made the recipient of a beautiful floral tribute, and thoroughly deserved the compliment. In the second half of the programme, Mrs Gurr’s cultured soprano voice was heard in "April Morn" (Batten), and here again the lady scored an artistic success. In response to an enthusiastic recall, Cowen's pretty song, "A Birthday," was nicely interpreted. Mrs Gurr took her husband's place lower down on the programme, and bracketed two songs by Amy Woodforde-Finden, "Far, Far Across the Desert Sands" and "Allah, Be With Us," both of which were exceptionally well sung.

No little interest attached to the first appearance in Gisborne of Miss Coralie Seymour Stanley, who came heralded as a descriptive dancer of more than average ability. This young lady, who has the advantage of a charming stage presence, quite sustained the reputation which had preceded her. She appeared in two descriptive dances, "Moments Musical" and "The Belgian," both of which were alluring and novel turns, and served to give a pleasing variety to the concert. This young lady is more than a dancer; she is a capable little actress, and each of her descriptive dances resolved themselves into little scenes, which held the attention of the audience closely throughout. In response to an imperative recall for the first dance, Miss Stanley gave a dainty little Chinese whim dance, which was as dainty as it was alluring. The second dance, "The Belgian," depicts the Gethsemane of a Belgian wife when she discovers that her husband has been slain by the Germans. The agony of the war stricken country seemed to be concentrated in the dancer, and her abandonment of grief was very clever acting indeed. Miss Stanley's performances aroused the audience, to enthusiasm, and a handsome bouquet of flowers was banded up to the clever little lady, who had to bow her acknowledgments after the second performance.

It only remains to be added that the accompaniments to the vocalists were artistically supplied by Mrs G. M. Dodgson, while Mr Ernest J. Chrisp accompanied the danseuse. The personnel of the orchestra was as follows: 1st violins, Messrs John B. Vita, M. Cuthbert. C. Margomouth; 2nd violins, Messrs J. Davis and L. Ballantyne; viola, Mr F. Palairet; cellos, Messrs J. Vita and G. Broom; contra bass, Mr D. A. Vita; flute, Mr C. V. Harre; cornets, Messrs J. Davies and C. Hansen; trombone, Mr F. Williams; French horn, Mr G. B. Gibbs ; drums, bells, etc., Messrs T. Donovan and W. Robertson; pianiste, Mr A. J. Strong.

As the result of the entertainment, a substantial sum should be handed over to the Belgian and patriotic funds.

Source: The Gisborne Times, 18 November 1914, Page 6.

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

The splendid programme provided for the entertainment held at His Majesty's Theatre last night, in aid of the Belgian and patriotic funds, should have been sufficient to attract a crowded house. But the large number who did attend thoroughly enjoyed the performance, there not being a weak number in an exceptionally fine programme from every point of view. Although it was termed an orchestral concert there were other special features that contributed materially to the general success.

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The appearance of Miss Coralie Seymour Stanley was anticipated with much pleasure, and there was much curiosity to see in Gisborne for the first time the descriptive dances that have been so popular in England and America. A famous dancer has declared that one can dance emotions just as one can speak or act them - that the dancer can genuinely portray each phase of the emotions he or she dances. Descriptive dancing has been defined as the cooperation of the mind with the motion of the feet. Miss Stanley took, as her first dance F. Schubert's "Moments Musical," the theme of which is as follows: Jean Paveleaux, a young shepherd, rests by the hillside on the outskirts of his native village. The evening draws nigh and he falls exhausted. He is aroused by the most exquisite music coming from a glade where Nymphs and Bacchante were wont to roam in. Firstly he is afraid and dreads discovery, but the enchanting sounds so bewitch him that he enters into the spirit of the theme and dances his soul away. The approaching dawn brings back the reality of his life, and on the cessation of the music he leaves the glade taking the beautiful memory of his night of enchantment with him. The graceful movements were followed with intense interest. The young lady danced with bare feet, there being orchestral accompaniment, and Mr Ernest J. Chrisp presiding at the piano on each occasion. There was an enthusiastic encore, when another pretty descriptive dance was given. At a later stage Miss Stanley gave the descriptive dance "The Belgian," Miss Aileen Bewley also taking part. The theme of the dance was a pathetic one, but served to bring out all the conflicting emotions - the wife's pride and joy when her husband is called on to serve his country, grief at his death, renunciation of her faith and country, but a gradual transformation brought about by her great love for her dead husband, and the increasing of her affection for their little child, with a feeling of resignation to her fate. It requires much skill to successfully convey the emotions in this way, and while a few perhaps failed to realise the idea of the dances, Miss Stanley is entitled to grateful recognition of her service in giving the graceful exhibitions. ......

Source: The Poverty Bay Herald, 18 November 1914, Page 8.