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CHORAL HALL.-"ISRAEL IN EGYPT."

The fifth and last concert of the season took placa lost night, and, despite the presages of partial failure, the performance proved to be a gratifying success. Happily enough, means wore found to induce the orchestra to reconsider their decision, and at length, through the assiduous mediation of Messrs B. Hesketh, R. A. Milligan Hogg (Secrotary), and H. Brett, and the Rev. D. Bruce, the recalcitrant instrumentalists consented to recede from tho position they had taken up, provided that a Committeeman who was personally obnoxious to them were induced to resign. This gentleman was pressed to sacrifice himself for the general good, and after some delay ho agreed to do so if an equally prominent -representative of tho Orchestra would also retire into privacy. The condition was accepted, and at thelast moment the breach Vvas healed . which threatened the integrity of tho Society. Of courso, the public werein complete ignorance of this tardy reconciliation, and the news of the imbroglio- seemed rather to augment than to diminish tho attendance Long before eight o'clock the whole of the available Hitting accommodation was fully taken up, and oy tho placing of chairs in the passages tho stewards were enabled to economically utilise • every foot of space at their disposal. It seemed for a time as if the revolt of the orchestra had extended to the chorus, the number of vpcalists who trooped in after tho rear door was thrown open being rather scant! In threes and fours, however, others arrived, until the assemblage of choral forces was quite imposing. Even then the audience were oblivious of the fact that tho orchestra had mustered at the hall. The group of music-stands upon the^orchesfcral platform caused no surprise, as it was generally known that the Secretary, Mr Milligan Hogg—who all'through "tins' game of cross purposes has worked like a Trpjan to secure a peaceful solution—had made arrangements for instrumental assistance Reid's band had been engaged, and when Mr N. G. Barnott (organist of St.' Matthew's) was waited upon and acquainted with tho. Society's awkward predicament,ho Ijad very gracefully placed his services at the entiro disposal of the Committee. In the subsequent negotiations with tho orchestra his retention as pianist was insisted' upon by the Committee, and a compromise was effected. His advent upon the platform to take his place at the grand piano wa3 greeted by the audiorico with a burst of applause which told how warmly his chivalrous, action had beon appreciated. Then,to tho unbounded astonishment of many, and to the satisfaction of all, the member? of tho orchestra emerged from the anto-robn, and amid prolonged and emphatic applause, 'assumed their accustomed places between tho singers and the audience. This demonstration of pleasure culminated when-the acting conductor, Mr James Jinox, made his appearance, and it only ceased when he bowed his acknowledgments. Our review of the performance is unavoidably crowded out of to-day.'s issue.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18841119.2.25

Bibliographic details

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4516, 19 November 1884, Page 2

Word Count
485

CHORAL HALL.-"ISRAEL IN EGYPT." Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4516, 19 November 1884, Page 2

CHORAL HALL.-"ISRAEL IN EGYPT." Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4516, 19 November 1884, Page 2