NORWOOD PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.-On Monday evening the Norwood Philharmonic Society gave their second grand concert, and notwithstanding the threatening state of the weather, there was a good attendance, the Town Hall being tolerably well filled with a highly respectable audience, numbering about 250. The performance commenced with an introduction by the band, which was followed by Handel's chorus, "Sing unto God," sung by the whole company, comprising seven female and 14 male voices, and 11 instrumental performers, viz.-one cornopean, Mr. Mcculloch ; one clarionet, Mr. Sumsion ; two flutes, Messrs. Spiller and Proctor ; five .violins, Messrs. Chapman, Finniss, Chapman, jun., and Schrader ; one bass viol, and one double bass. This piece was well performed, but the volume of sound was too great for the size of the hall. Mrs. Smart then sung " Oh, had I Jubal's Lyre," in which she was deservedly encored. Mr. Horbelet accompanied her on the harmonium, and Mr. Chapman on the violin. The entire company next gave that magnificent chorus from Haydn's Creation, "The heavens are telling," and it was admirably sung, and drew forth a hearty round of applause. Horsley's beautiful trio (sacred), " When shall we three meet again," was then very sweetly sung by Mesdames Wishart and Smart, and Mr. Fry. Mrs. Wishart was in very good voice, and sung with great taste and precision. They were accompanied by Mr. Herbelet on the piano, and Mr. Chapman on the violin. The first part of the performance was concluded by the whole company giving the chorus from   Handel, " Unto us a child is born," which was done with very good effect. The second part of the entertainment (secular) began with Auber's Overture " Fra Diavolo " which was performed by the band with great spirit and execution, and was loudly applauded and encored. Vin1 whole company then gave Rossini's Grand Ode, which was followed by C. F. Adams' Serenade "Maiden Listen," sung by Messrs. Bundle, Harris, Gooden, and Fry ; after which Mrs. Wishart sung Hobbs's " Nina" in her best style ; being encored she substituted " Lovely Night." The male performers then sang the chorus from Taneredi (Rossini) accompanied by the band. The next song was "The Blind Girl to her Harp" by Mrs. Smart, and this also was encored, when " Mary of Argyle" was substituted. Mr. Proctor then played a flute solo by   Clinton, with a quartette accompaniment, which was also encored. Glover's Duet, "A Voice from the Waves" was then sung by Mrs. Smart and Mrs. Wishart. An attempt was made by a number of noisy and ill behaved boys to get up an encore, but the performers did not seem inclined to yield ; the lads, however, kept up a disturbance for several minutes; at last the band commenced the last piece, but were completely put down by the noise. Mr. Chapman, the conductor, then addressed the assembly, saying that he thought there had been quite encores enough, and any reasonable person should be satisfied without another at that late hour (past 11 o'clock). The sensible portion of the meeting agreeing to this, the last piece was brilliantly executed -The chorus of Gypsies from "II Trovatore" (Verdi.) The entertainment did not close till past 11 o'clock almost too late an hour for the quiet inhabitants of Norwood and Kensington, but the length of the evening was somewhat protracted by the repeated encores, even in the case of songs which in themselves were quite long enough. It is really too bad to tax the singers to such an extent when a good programme is prepared, and displays neither good taste nor good manners. After making these remarks we feel bound in justice to say that the encores were entirely got up by a number of boys, who ought to have had someone to keep them in order. The whole entertainment was a highly creditable one to this Society, which is still in its youth, and most of the performers being amateurs, We thought before hearing the concert that the charge for admission was rather high, but from the large attendance and excellent entertainment provided, we were inclined to alter our opinion, for we have frequently heard performances in Adelaide where the charge has been higher, and the entertainment not a bit better. We are very glad to see the Norwood Town Hall called into such frequent requisition for rational amusement and instruction. We think the Norwood Philharmonic Society might venture on giving then next concert in White's Room.

The Advertiser, 22.10.1861