PONSONBY, MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 291, 7 December 1900, Page 3

PONSONBY, MUSICAL SOCIETY.

'•THE EOSE MAIDEX."

The recently - formed Ponsonbjj Musical Society"gave their initial performance last evening in All Saints Schoolroom. The building was crowded to «the doors. The work selected was F. H. Cowen's cantata, "The Rose Maiden," a piece which, to some of the older members of the audience, was probably reminiscent of the old Ponsonby Choral Society. It contains some attractive numbers, and being m no way heavy, is well adapted for a young' society's initial effort. Considering that the Society, have only had about three months' rehearsal, their performance last evening was a very creditable one, and the result of their first appearance may be considered very satisfactory . The soloists were Madame Chambers (soprano), Mrs Coates (contralto), Mr A. L. Edwards (tenor), and Mr Wilfred Manning (baritone), each of wlion\ rendered excellent service and won a. liberal share of applause, the ladies receiving handsome floral tributes. Me Edwards was loudly applauded for his fine rendering of "The Sleep of Even," and Mr Manning's best effort, ''Where Gloomy Pine Trees Hustle," was also well received. Madame Chambers did full justice to the pretty ai-ia, "Bloom; on, My Roses," and her singing throughout was most enjoyable. The contralto music was confined to the scena, "Ask of Yon Ruined Castle"; and "Yet Chime They so Sadly,"whicW were sympathetically rendered by Mr» Coates" Among the duets the best were "Soon as the Mountain Summits" (soprano and baritone),-and "I Know a Rosebud Shining" (soprano? and tenor). The chorus, -which! numbered thirty male voices and over, sixty female, under the baton of Mr: R. Leslie Hunt, attacked their leadst with confidence and precision. With! the exception of the tenors, who were" distinctly weak, the voices were fairlywell balanced, and the volume of: sound was good. Amongst the best' choruses were "'Tis Thy Wedding? Morning" (encored), "Oh, Earth-born; Sorrow," and " 'Mid the Waving1 Rose! Trees," while the audience demanded a repetition of the final chorus, "Yea, E'en as Die the Roses." The orchestra; was numerically weak, particularly in: first violins, and some of the wind' instruments showed signs of insufficient rehearsal;-.but,Miss M. Peak did' {rood service as leader, as also did Mrs Neave, the pianist. Mr Hunt had his forces well under control, and must be congratulated upon the result of his efforts. As many were unable to ob-» jtain admission last evening,, it has1 |been suggested that a second performance of "The Rose Maiden'^ should be given.