The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-12-04 00:00:00

anb pistrict geius.

AMATEUR CONCERT AT THE CORN

EXCHANGE.

A concert was given at the Corn Exchange, on
Monday evening last, the proceeds of which were
to be devoted to a fund towards the erection of a
Cottage Hospital in this town. There was a very
good attendance, the room being well filled. The
stage was nicely carpeted for the occasion, and
decorated with evergreens, &c.
The ;principal performers were: Instrumental-
ists— Mrs. Fennell (piano), Mr. Griffin (violin),
Mr. King (flute), and Mr. Ffrench Davis (harp).
Amongst the vocalists were Miss James, a young
lady of great promise, who is fast achieving a con-
siderable reputation amongst local amateurs, and
Mr. Muston, the well-known bass, of Kiddermin-
ster. The following was the programme :—Glee,
"Comrades in Arms ;" duet, violin and pianoforte,
Mr. Griffin and Mr. Randle; Scotch song," What's
a' the Steer Kimmer," Mr. Swan; song, "Marble
Halls," Mrs. Wright; song, "The Village Black-
smith," Mr. Muston; solopianoforte, "Nocturne"
(Chopin) "Toccata" (Bennett) Mrs. Fennell; song,
"Give me a Flower," Mr. Turney ; solo harp," The
Fairy Glen," Mr. Ffrench Davis; duet, "The May
Bells and Flowers," Misses Harris and Millward ;
song, "Thou art come, sweet Spring," Miss James;
song, "Fifty miles under the Sea," Mr. Macmillan;
comic song, "The Dutchman," Mr. A. Wall; grand
duo—pianoforte and harp," Lucrezia Borgia," Mrs.
Fennell and Mr. Ffrench Davis; song, '-Oh, Fare-
well," from Lucia di Lammermoor, Mr. Swan;
song, "Awfully shy," Mrs. Wright; solo—flute
Mr. King; song, "True to the Last," Mr. W.
Perks; sole—harp, "Home, sweet home," Mr.
Ffrench Davis; song, "The Birds that come in
Spring," Miss Jan- es; sonata--pianoforte, "Non
plus Ultra," Mrs. Fennell; song, "Honour and
Arms," Mr. Muston ; song, "The Sea ig Merry
England's," Mr. Bird; solo—violin, "Die Zart-
lichkeit," Mr. Griffin; duet, "The Elfin Call,"
Misses Harris and Millward ; song, " Silent Even.
ing," Mr. Parsons; comic song, "Jacob," Mr.

The programme, as will be seen from the above,
was inconveniently long, and would have been
much better if shorn of at least one-third of its
proportions. As it was, on account of the lateness
of the hour, it was found necessary to omit the last
three items on the programme.
he performances of Mrs. Fennell need not to
be particularised, as this lady's wonderful ability
as a performer on the pianoforte is so well known
that comment from us is unnecessary. Mr.
Ffrench Davis. who, as a harpist, is facile princeps,
displayed all his usual delicacy of touch and bril-
liancy of execution. One of the greatest treats of
the evening was the duet for pianoforte and harp,
from " Lucrezia Borgia," the performers being
Mrs. Fennell and Mr. F. Davis. Mr. Griffin, who
had previously achieved a considerable reputation
as a violinist in this town, has undoubtedly added
to it by his playing on Monday. He has gained
in breadth and fulness of tone, at the same time
that he has added to his ability as an executant,
and he is now a violinist of unquestionable ability.
Mr. King, another of our local amateurs of whom
Stourbridge has just reason to be proud, performed
the flute solo set down for him in the programme
in a way which left nothing to be desired. Our
space will not permit us to notice the whole of the
items on the programme separately, but we cannot
close our remarks without calling attention to the
magnificent manner in which Mr. Muston sang
the well-known air from Handers oratorio, "Sam-
son," "Honour and Arms." He appeared to fairly
revel in the musical difficulties of the piece, and
gave Haraphah's insulting challenge with a force
and power which were beyond all praise. Mr.
Randle accompanied the vocalists throughout,
with his usual ability.
The concert, financially and otherwise, was a
decided success, and thanks are due to those ladies
and gentlemen, who by voluntarily giving their
services, contributed to that desirable end.