The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-09-15 00:00:00

MR. AvANT's CONCPALT.—A strangely sparse audience
assembled in the Town-hall, on Monday istressug, at the
roncert announced by Mr. T. Avant, professor of music,
Weymouth, considering that the perforniers were Mdfue.
Thaoldens Wells, Miss Joyce Maas and Mr. Orlando
Christian, vocalists, with Mr. H. Nicholson, flautist, and
Mr. Avant himself and Miss Mary Parmiter, pianists, and
that a capital prograt was lamed. nose who were
present highly appreciated the charming skill and
ex•iniaitely trained v,iices .4 the singers, while Mr. Nichol-
son* performance/ on the flute were marvellously clever.
The ouncerteil inteic was particularly good, Smarts trio
" queen of the Night' ißsplayipg the well•balanced voices
of the vocalists and such modulated hignieny as affords
hno gnjoyinent. Mdine. Wells has • fair soprano voice
attnoog ieith the experience of many years; Miss Mead
contralto ut uf pia quality, and much more even in tone
and power throtnintiot iler cowl's', than is nano with
this voice; and Mr. Iffseissian is • powerful bass, with
.soine particularly good loser Letus. In the duet by
Madame Wells and Mr. Christian "1430.4 the wind
blows in from the sea." which is a sweet flowing incledy,
Mn Christian was particularly effective. and Miss Maas In
con:Aso:Lion with him achievesl a decided success in
Gras-pr. ''oe the land appears In sight." Madame Wells
- AR ehaose style a plaintive air by
•Sullivan entitled
dicy am. tlw obi English maypole song
..‘ kiss Maas gave " The
pathetictiai by Molloy "
"Come,
-.l' and best 0 • e 'Atka Idu not
Storm" to in . , .•th
be sorrowful
love him." Mr. Chre intlvr
Shield's "On by the spur ... 4f j.eigitead .oiCe I
being after the manner of The st , idgle •
of mat flexibility and e power, and an ac,. "vol4' innved.
But the enthusiasm of the audience was sca. 4.401
save by Mr. Nicholson, whose flute fantasia on
airs and again on national sea swigs wee charming an,
involved the most delicate and skilful manipulation.
They elicited wondering applause. The artist seemed to
produce from his instrument three distinct qualities of
sound the tones of the piccolo, flute, and oboe, and at
pleasure sustained the inclaly, ineunwhile executing the
most intricate variations as an accompaniment. For his
second solo he was heartily recalled, obtaining the
only encore of the evening, and gave with much tenderness
of expression a solo on "Tom Bowling." Mr. Avant and
Mils M. Panniter played a duet on "Faust." On appear-
ing the youiut lady was greeted with encouraging
applause, and it afforded very great pleasure to all to hear
a Dorchester piamisie play with such undoubted skill and
good judgment The sekstion was instinct with the weird
and unearthl3 characteristics of Use opera, and the per
formers rtralise.l the spirit of the music with complete AM'
while their Mani nUlation was 111..5t effective. It was
One of the lest perforniaawes of the evening. and certainly
as attractive an any to the audience. Mr. T. Avant played
a pianoforte ado on " II Puritani;" displaying his Perfect
:mastery over the instrument and the utmost facility of
e.„
t...
pupa, hare a good model for their
Imitation, los-ides the advantage of • skilled musician.
The concert closed shortly after ten with the National
Anthem.

LONDON MISMONLIII" Soorrr. —A meeting on behalf of
this venerable society took place at the Congregational
chapel, but the attendance was small. The proceedings
were opened with prayer by the per. J. Huthll, Wesleyan
Superintendent. —The Rev. T.
.heave then observed that
there was now no novelty in missionary meetings, yet the
reports of the work carried on were aalculated to quicken
their hearts and stimulate their interest in missionary
effort. He read the financial statement which showed
contributions to the amount of ale la Id. This showed
a gradual increase for some years puts and he miatimd