The musical and theatrical performance given by Molle. Scriwana and M. C. Daren with the kind and valuable assistance of Chev. and Mde. Vela, the Shanghai Philharmonic Society and a number of well-known gentlemen amateurs, on Thursday night (15th), was very well attended, as we expected it would be, both on account of the attractiveness of the programme itself, and because of the object of the performance being partially "charitable, de Portici by Auber, played in a manner most creditable to both the members of the Philharmonic Society and their accomplished leader, Chev. Vela. Indeed we have not often heard a better piece of orchestration by an amateur musical society of the same numerical strength, than was this overture. Sullivan's old but ever welcome song, "Once Again" was a Pleasing contribution by Mr. W. G, Robinson, Molle. Scriwana, who made her first appearance in a very simple and unambitious role, showed the audience how much can be made in a dramatic point of view from such a slender foundation as Lafontaine's fable, Les Deux Pigeons. The next num-Der on the programme was Mr. Wedemeyer's burlesque on a Penny Reading at Home, which so greatly amused the audience, that they insisted on an encore, in response to which he sang "See me Reverse' with great success. Mde. Vela's solo, which was an aria by Gomez, was delightful and afforded this finished artiste a splendid opportunity for the display of her. perfectly trained voice, The delightful little one act comedy Cetait Gertrude by Vereonsin was undoubtedly the piece de resistance of the evening, Molle. Scriwana appeared as Mme. Dolores, and Mr. R. ie Malherbe, as Rene, and a better piece of acting we venture to say was never seen in Shanghai. The second part of the programme opened with Minuetto and Allegro vieace from 7th Symphony, a composition which although more strictly belonging to the chamber order of musie than to the light concert, was listened to with much appreciation and rewarded with applause by the audience. Here we must once more recog nize the indefatigable Mr. Vinay's perform ance on the pianoforte, which has always 80 much to do with the success of every concert in Shanghai. Mr. H. J. Sharp's sporting sketch of Frying Pan's Race, by the author of "Kissing Cup," received' well merited applause. M. Daron's amusing song En Ketenant dela Kerwe has been given before by him here, but it was once lore encored on Thursday night, and Mr. Malherbe' character recitation La Chasse an Lion furnished another ten minutes' constant laughter, both his make up and his acting being equally delightful. A very catching barcarole Lo Printemps chest Lanows was well sung by M. Lagarde, who had to repeat the Inst verse in re-spouse to an imperative encore. 'The concluding item was another of those finished little one act comedies by Meilhac and Halévy, entitled Toto che: Tata, in which the part of the French school' boy Toto was played with much humour and spirit by Molle. Scriwana, and that of Lo garden des Arrets by M. C, Daren, andthe mischievous pranks of the French prototype of Tom Sawyer, and his droll soli-Toquies, and the miseries endured by the tormented Gardien were prolific of amusement to the audience, whose interest was fully sustained from the close to the finish, which was half an hour after midnight.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.