The musical and vocal entertainment given on Tuesday afternoon by youngest pupils of the above institution and modestly styled "Musical Exercises," proved, as anticipated, a great success. The youthfulness, of the performers naturally confined them to such music as was best adapted to their powers of execution; yet the attendance left nothing to be desired,
selection of pieces would permit each child confident were the public that a happy to be heard to the best advantage.
We arrived late, but, however, in time to hear Cazot's Fantasia admirably executed by a young lady whose studies, we hear, extend over a period of five months only, Next in order came a MBlodie, by Sehu mann, for four hands, performed by a pro-anising young pupil, whose future progress we shall watch with much interest. We listened also with much pleasure to Weber's Marche. also for four hands, "'Les Premidres Fleurs," chorus performed by the youngest pupils, showed how much pains had been taken to bring the execution of this piece to so high a degree of perfection; its chief feature was a solo by a child whose age does not exceed six and a half summers. A Sonatine in F by Beethoven was also well rendered, and equally so was Lo jour clu Seigneur," by Mendelssohn.
"Lo Vrai Bonheur," Cantata performed by the Inrger pupils, was c chef deuvre composed for this special occasion, and our only regret is that we are not at liberty to mention the name of the author, whose compositions we have heard with so much pleasure on former occasions. 'The first solo in this chorus was exceedingly well rendered by a clever young vocalist whose self-possession and style gave great pleasure; the second solo, third duo, and fourth' solo were also remarkably well executed.
The rendering of the '"Noces de Jeannette," a composition by Croisez, alike jin time, style and vigour of execution, made it the gem of the evening. We had the pleasure of hearing this young lady last year, and the progress she has made in the meantime is simply marvellous.
The "Printemps," Mendelssohn's popular "Romance sans Parole," and the "Chant clu Conirebandier," each for two hends, were confided to two young pupils whose musical talent is too well established to need any "praise; still, however, we are inclined to criticise them a little, The rendering of the first of these pieces seemed to us to have been executed by the young artiste with less finish than usual, the melody being somewhat imperfectly marked. "This piece, however, though apparently simple, requires most diligent study. The second selection just mentioned gave us an opportunity "of observing more correctness of style and perfect ease in execution than is usually seen at the piano. The piece was one of great brilliancy, and the first part we thought was admirably executed. This young lady, whose style has so greatly improved, concluded the musical part of this most enjoyable entertainment, and the audience testified their appreciation by repeated and hearty applause, 'Phe comedietta that followed, and which was declaimed in English, was remarkable alike for the extreme simplicity of the plot and the juvenility of the pupils that took part in' it, They not only exhibited great case and self-possession, but their pure delivery in English, which for many of them was a foreign language, gave us a fair conception of the care bestowed upon each branch of their studies.
Filiola, the little heroine of the piece and a young comedienne whose features are familiar to many of us, kept her audience in a roar of laughter by her faithful and mirth-provoking interpretation of the piece. Her mother-i Mrs. Contradictory, was equally happy in the rendering' of her part, and the next, upon whom depended much of the success of the piece, was the little fairy Miroboie, who deserves great praise for her calm and dignified deportment, more especially in the concluding partof her final speech, which was delivered in a clear voice and with a degree of composure hardly to be expected from one of her youth, We should not forget to mention the little train-bearer, and the performer of Schumann's Melodie, who, with others, did their parts well.
The stage decorations were simple and tastefully arranged, and we hardly think they could have been improved upon. The disposition of the pupils, each wearing their meritorious sashes, made the stage a variegated and picturesque sight. We noticed two young pupils who were conspicuous by the breadth and variety of colour of their sashes; on inguiry we found that in one case this honour had been conferred for exceptional zeal in musical and English studies, and in the other for application, recitation and exemplary studies. 'These special distinetions, we understand, can only be obtained after' three months' of consecutive and arduous competition, when they remain in the recipients' possession for another period of three months.
To conclude, we must say that much credit is due to the lady whose exertions brought to such a high degree of perfection this little drama, and rendered its delivery, in English, distinctly audible in the remotest corner of the Hall, To the Lady Superior and Lady Directresses we tender our sincere thanks for the pleasant afternoon this entertainment afforded us; and we cannot but feel that the four Indies who gave their valuable assistance, by taking up a collection for the benefit of the Institution, contributed proportionately to its success.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.