(From Birmingham)
' Desmond Dumps , Esq.' by Barbara Sleigh
Songs by GERTRUDE DAVIES (Soprano)
JACKO and a Piano
' Sea Tales of Daring and Heroism,' by Robert W. Ascroft

(From Birmingham)
THE BIRMINGHAM STUDIO ORCHESTRA
Conducted by FRANK CANTELL
GEORGE DAWKINS (Baritone)
HENRY BENTLEY (Violoncello)
The Sicilian Vespers made its first appearance, in French, at the Paris Opera in 1855, two years after Il Trovatore and La Tramata had. appeared a Rome and Venice respectively. The libretto by Scribe, deals with the massacre of the French invaders in Sicily while they were at vespers on Easter Monday, 1282. The tale is a thrilling one if somewhat sanguinary, and the opoia
. is full of Verdi's inimitable charm, so that it is a little difficult to understand why it has fallen nto such neglect. The Overture, however, still holds a warm place in the affections of music lovers and must be too well known to need very much in the way of description.
It begins with a slow introduction in which a menacing figure on drums and strings forms the accompaniment to a sad tune for wood
. winds. The main part ot the Overture, in Allegro agitato, begins with a strenuous figure suggesting strife and warfare ; this is. succeeded, after a silent pause, by a violoncello solo, one of the Verdi melodies which an audience goes away humming to itself. It leads to a march tune beginning very softly and gaining in strength and vigour until we have again a stormy episode.
The violoncello melody is repeated, this time with the assistance of clarinets, and with a fuller accompaniment than before, being transferred a little later to the violins, and a strenuous prestissimo brings the Overture to its close.

(From Birmingham)
A Match-making Medley by DOROTHY EAVES
Members of the Firm :
The Shareholders:

(From Birmingham)
THE BIRMINGHAM STUDIO ORCHESTRA
Conducted by FRANK CANTELL

JACK HYLTON 'S AMBASSADOR CLUB BAND, directed by RAY STARITA , from THE AMBASSADOR CLUB