Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

32 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.! ! -----+-----

----GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.…

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THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

BRECONSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS

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HOUSE OF LORDS.—Tiitr:si>AY.

------HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY.

THE SOUTH kWALES CHORAL UNION…

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

THE SOUTH kWALES CHORAL UNION AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. [BY SPECIAL LONDON, Thursday Evening. .Going to the Crystal Palace this afternoon one might have thought oneself on a Welsh railway. Seldom do we see in London such a collection of swarthy counten- ances as wers to-day gathered at the metropolitan stations still more rarely do we hear the old Celtic language "familiarly spoken. It was heard, however, to-day in nearly every carriage, and when English was used Wales was still the subject of the conversation. Now and then, some ignorant Saxon had to be in- formed kow from South Wales a choir, consisting en- tirely of people whose pride it is to work with their hands, had come to London to challenge the world for the great prize of one thousand pounds. Sometimes no little anxiety was expressed as to the result, but there was not a doubt allowed to exist as to who ought to win, and if Ole. word of implied disparagement was uttered, it had been better for the speaker had he been far away, for the avenger was at hand, il the person of some patriotic Welsh bard, who.e indignity was naturally such that there were few WhO car- d to stand ia the shoes of the unfoituiiate libeller. Differences were soon liealed, however, when, on reaching the Palace, it was dis- covered there bad been found no choir courageous enough to compete with the South Wales Union. How that uo official information could be obtained. That there were competitors at one time, was well known but why they did not come forward to contest the prize publicly none in authority would say. It was told privately, however, thai they had heard the Welsh Choir, and they admired them so highly as singers, that they would not like them at all as rivals, and so with- drew. It this be true, a more complete victory for Wales cannot be imagined. Two competitions proceeded" that for a challenge prize. The first was of choral societies for men's voices, and was won by the Bristol Choral Union. In the second two military bands were entered, the band of the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade and the band of the 33rd Regiment. Public opinion as well as the judges gave the award to the last-named. Then came the singing "f the Welsh choir. The judges were Sir StorndaleBennett, Mr. Hnllah, and Mr. Briuley Richards,—-the latter of whom was received by the choir with loud cheers. The first piece selected, In tears of grief," was from Bach's Passion music. It was sung almost perfectly, and as it was being ren- dered the whisper that the leader was of the choir was a hla-ksmith of Abordare was heard with incredulity. In the very difficult chorus from Samson, Then round about the starry throne," a. partial failure was ma.1e. The trebles got too sharp, the time con- sequently became shaky, wheretipon the judges stop- ped the choir, and asked for a repetition. The chorus was rendered again, and this time, although a little weak at one point, it was got through very creditably 1ndeed. For all these shortcomings, however, the next performance amply compensated. Tho chorus, The night is departing," from Mendellsohn's Lohgesarg," was given with so much fire and spirit that the audience redemanded it. But as au encore was hardly fitting in a competition, the judges interposed with their award of the prize to the South Wales Choral Union. The competition having thus been concluded, there was a request for The Men of Harlech. It was very vigorously sung with much feeliug, and roused the audience tJ a pitch of enthusiasm. The choir concluded with God bless the Prince of Wales." The prize is a gold vase, which is to be held until the next annual meeting of the choirs at the Crystal Palace when another contest takes place. At the closo of the performauc?, which was listened to by a large concourse of people, many of whom hailed from the Principality, the members of the choir were entertained in one of the dining-halls of the Palace, the chair being taken by Mr. Henry Richard, M.P. for Merthyr. Several other Welsh members and members for Welsh towns were present, and the greatest delight was manifestocloy all who took part in the festival, at the result. Many congratulatory speeches were delivered, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. From all that could he gathered, it would appear that the members of the choir have been lavishly provided for, and Cann Jenkins, Dr. Price, the Secretary, and other officials vied with each other in making their com- patriots happy. As far as it was possible to judge, the young men wnd women—many of whom, had never seen the Palace before—were even more delighted than tho elder members of the choir, thus led to victory by a "Blacksmith," who bids fair to become as famous as that sterling type of honest worth immortalised by Longfellow, who could always boast of "something attempted, something done, to earn a night's repose." The prizes will be distributed by the Duke of Edin- burgh to-morrow (Saturday), at a quarter past six o'clock. The concert of prize winners, choirs, bands, and solo" artists will commence at half-past three o'clock, and there will be a display of fireworks at hjilf- past nine.

PEMBROKESHIRE SUMMER ASSIZES.,

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___------------------------__---------_-------.-GLAMORGANSHIRE…

---------_._-MONMOUTHSHIRE…

CARMARTUEKSHIRE MIDS UMMER…

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{- -\. 1- D J FF.';

NEWPORT. '

SWANSEA.. !

I,MERTHYR.

; DOWLAIS.

! ABE H DARE.

GILFACH GOCH. j

! ^MELIN GRIFFITH.

iBRECON.

! ABERYSTWITH. j

FATAL HARDIHOOD OF SEAMEN.

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■— V THE PRISON DISCIPLINE…

i CHARLES JAMES LEYER

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!LLANTWIT-YARDRE. I