CHORAL HALL

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 288, 6 December 1890, Page 2

CHORAL HALL

AN ORCHESTRAL SUCCESS,

The final concerb of the Orchestral Union's season was given last night, and proved fully aa enjoyable as any of the previous ones. Electioneering had interfered considerably with the attendance, and also prevents our giving the concert the space and criticism its importance would otherwise claim for ifc. The programme was admirably selected and well carried through. The orchestral pieces were, of course, tho stand-by of the evening. They were most effective and thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. Mr Hemus, as leader of the orcheetra, can ecarely be given too much praise, and Mr Paque wae generally very successful as conductor. " The Bohemian Girl" music will always be popular with a large eecfcion of the community. It is excessively liehfc and " tuney," as its lovers would probably express themselves. It does nofc, however, give much scope for an orchestra to show its power. Mr Jackson's solo on the clarionet waa, as usual, one of the successes of the evening. In this instance he was most ably supported by tho orchestra, the beautiful expression in Mr Innea' rendering of the flute part) being specially to be recommended. Mr Perriday has a good full voice of the robust "tenor type. Hβ lacks finish and expression, and sings in a somewhat hard and mechanical fashion. . His song, " The Soldier's Dream," was well received, however. Mondlessohn's " Symphony 3 in A minor is a deservedly popular item amongsb conductors of musical societies. The orchestra made a big euceess of ib and Mr Paque may certainly be congratulated. He showed a true appreciation of the delicate and graceful beauties of the music ; the " yearning tenderness "of the strings wae in a great measure due to the admirable understanding between him and Mr Hemus. Madam 6 Thompaonsang "Zingari" and "The Angel's Song." Donizetti's music requires great flexibility of voice and considerable culture. Both selections were perhaps unfortunate, for Braga'e requires expression above anything. The finest vocal item on the programme was Mr Dufaurs rendering of "To Me No Stranger,' , for which he received a well-deserved encore. This was also demanded in the case of the *' March Indienne," a bright and clever piece of orchestration by Le Tierre. Ifc is excessively catchy, and seemed to captivate the audience. Some Brahm'e dances were the last items on the programme, which was, as we have said, from an orchestral point of view, a great success.