'The concert given at the Lyceum Theatre on Tuesday was musically speaking successful and delightful, but there was a depressing circumstance connected with it as it was Madame Vela's farewell concert in Shanghai, forma few days' time Comdr. Vela and-his wife will have I-ft these shores, "For eighteen years Comdr. Velx Kias' been closely associated with nearly all the musical events that have found inception and development here, and which have owed much to not only his great musical ability but to his happy faculty for suecessful management, and if he had don nuthinig" else; the Phill Si would alone be am illlisttatioh: of this; for When, therefore, the members of the Philharmonic Society assembled on Tuesday nig the Lyceum platform, it must have been a matter of profound re-yet to many amongst the audience who {have for years enjoyed their performances that it was for the last time that. the performers would be guided by the baton ofthe Maestro to whom they owe so much, The orchestra on Tuesday was com: posed solely of members of the Philharnic Society, and obtained no adventitioas aid from the Town Band, so that there was no brass xt all, and but very few wind lustraments, but this was" liensated for by "the stu greater number than usual, the assistance of the piano. this somewhat unusual state of a of the thres pi-ces on the programme for the orchestra two were for strings only, d the other, th" overture to It Burbiere with which the concert opened, was one that could be effectively given with the means at hand, though not of course with the perfection that " full orchestra: would have secured. Still it pleased the audience immensely for it was expitally played, and was therefore well applauded. The second part of the concert was opened by the i first Czibulkw'a *Songe i," followed at once by a Gavorte composed by Comdr, Vela, Both pieces wen" splendidly, and showed how much the m-mhers of the Society have benefited by the able instruction of their conductor. OF these tw" pieces perhaps the very tuneful Givotte found more favour with thenndience.
Madame Vela was down on the pro gramme to take part ina duet and to_ sin; two solos, but owing to Mes. Vyvyan Dent being prevented from attending Madame Velu took her place with another solo, The first piece Madame Vela gave was the rin from Verdi's Aida, "Ritorna Vincitor," which was rendered most impressively and with an exquisite finish that must have been the envy of all amateurs who listened to her, It was most loudly applauded. At the close of the first part Mozart's ever welenme duet from Don Gioranni, La ci darem," was sung by Mutame Vela and Mr. Wedemeyer with immense success. For No. 8, in place of Mrs. Dent, Madame Vela Storia Mesta, by Gastaldon, and aroused the' enthusiasm of the The canel inber of the amine was fittingly pat down to Madame Vela, and in this piece she perhaps plead the audience even more than in those she previously sing. This was the Romance Ansia, by Comdr. Vela, lovely song written many years ago and dedicated to Mrs. Sassoon. The wonder is that this piece is not more generally known in Shanghai, for it is_very well known and frequently sung in Ttaly, and besides is a popular favourite in Australia, where it was taken from here by wu amateur tenor who visited Shanghai some years ago. The Romance was delightfully interpreted by Madame Vela, who was again applauded to the echo. After exch of the vocal numbers which fell to Madame Vela she was presented with a h t, one bei by the Societe Dramatique Frangaise, and ons by the Phillurmonic Society.
There were many amateurs who were anxious to contribute their quote to the programme, in onder to show their esteem for Con 1 Madune Vela, but it was of course nece: Birs. Bland gave a pleasing rendering of Vieni, O Bella, by Vela, a song in waltz time first sang in public by Madame Bonilla at x concert here some twelve years ago. Mes. Schieff sang Brahm's Felseins em-keir in a manner that so pleased the audience that they insisted on hearing her again. Dr. Betz sang in German a sofg Fair rose thit seek'st Hie moorland green. Me. George Maitland chxemed all hearers by his artistic rendering of Leoni's The Locer's Lullaby, and was recalled well deserved apphuse, when he eave n splendid style the old English ballad Sally in our Alley as the composer Henry Carey wrote it. The other vocalist was Mr. Wedemeyer, who not only took part in the duet with Madame Vell, La ci darem, but sang Benedict's fine recitative clamatory air, Rage than ang-y exceptionally well. Me. Wedemeyer surpassed himself on this occasion, excellent as he frequently is. As an encore ho have Rogers' At Parting.
The yern of the amateur numbers on Puesday was, however, the violin xolo by Miss Dare von Méllendorff, who played Vieuxtemps' Taruntella ina most vellous way for a viti of only twelve years of aye. The hushed attention of the audience was a sure indication of their admiration, which found, vent at the conclusion of the piece in most enthusiastic Npplnuse, and nothing would satisfy. them but the' re-appenranes of the youthful performer, who then played Wieniwski's Ist Muzurka in equally good style. Both pieces were given from memory, without: the score.
During the second part of the p Signor Pescio, an amateur who is the East on business, play short piece composed by hi as benn travelling for some min evidence of great musi al ability, the
and must therefore be out of practi was perhaps not heard xt his best, game gentleman accompanied Mula Vela in one of her songs.
After the greater part of the audience had left the. theatre many friends of Comdr. and Matame Vela assembled on the stave to witness the presentation to the worthy couple of a handsome silver salver and tea service which represented Fort of x contribution of their many friends to mark the esteem and respect in w! they are held, The balances of the tribution was' represented by a cheque which Comdr, Vela was requested to pend in purchasing some further memo sto in Europe. On behalf of the contributors Mr. J. L. Scott nude the presentation, and briefly but eloqu ntly gave voice tu the affection with which Comdr, ant Madame Vela_are held by their numerous friends in Shanghai, and to the general feeling of regret caused by their approaching departure from this port. thi Comdr. Vela replied in a few well words, adding that he and his wife would never forget the genuine kindness and sympathy of their many friends in Shanghai which had been shown during rheic stay here of over eighteen years. Threw cheers and a tiger, led by Mr. R. M. Campbell, were then heartily given by all present for Commander and Madamno Vela.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.