CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 115, 14 May 1920, Page 7

CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

A MERITORIOUS PERFORMANCE. The Choral Society's premier Concert of the season was given last night In the Town Kali, nnd despite the unpleasant dampness anil cold of the evening there was a large attendance. The concert w_s an enjoyable one. anil the proceedings were followed with Interest throughout. The tirst part of the programme was devoted to Cowm's tnuefu! cantata "St. John's Kve.'' and the second was of it ini«..v|hncijus character. The Society was fortunate in having the sen lees of Mia. Belle Pollard, a gifted soprano, and Mr. Walter Wh.vie, the popular tenor. "St. John's Kve" was first produced at (lie Crystal I'alnce, London, In December. ISSp. The poe.n Is in Mr. .loseph Bennett's best style His flowing lyrics are full of variety, and the story embodies a genuine village idyll of days gone by. The cantata contains delightful harmonies, expressive melodies, refined orchestration, and several Interesting and pleasing concerted numbers. There were some 200 performers, and n smooth and flowing reading was secured of the cantata. The characters, four in number, were admirably sustained by the following solo quartet: Nancy, a village maiden (soprano). Miss Belle Pollard: Margaret, an ancient dame (contralto). Miss E. Sh3t-p: the Young Squire (tenor). Mr. Walter Whyte: a young villager (baritone!, Mr. Stanley Pritchard. Miss Belle Poulard's P Pr formative of her numbers gave much pletsure. She sang with vocal purity .and ni'-e expression, and her powerful and wellprodnceil voice rang through the building with clearness and strength of tone. She revealed good sustaining quality, articulated and phrased well, and her intonation was dependable, To a very delicately pliyeil orchestral accompaniment she gave a tranquil and tasteful reudering of "O Peaceful Night." threw much tenderness into 'Say. What Dost Thou Hear?" nnd made a great success of "Mv Lover to Hasten." concluding with a tine B-fint in alt, which rang out with clarion-IH-e clearness. "In Vain You Seek to Terrify" was rendered with dramatic intensity, and a decided success was achieved In "Then' Fates Decree." Miss Pollard also joined Mr. Whyte in a delightful performance of the duo "Fairest of Hoses." Mr. Walter Whyte declaimed bis music in a style which .unfolded the beauties of the solos to full extent. He used his fine voice to -idniirublc purpose in "0 Zephyr." creating the distant effects in a •■harming manner, and sane most effectively •'And T.ore Wins All." Firmly declaimed was "Why Stand Ye?" and the difficult intervals of "Good Fellow" were vocalised with justness of intonation, and the solo was expressively rendered. Especially lileaslny was the .tentando singing ln v "l fja-ve flic- Gentle Dove." Miss Eva Sharp. In h/eir reading of the somewhat ungrateful music to sing, made all she could of the part, using her voice with skill and effect. The rich degrees of her low notes "told admirably in "What Ye Would Do!" legato and effective performances were given of "Yon, Nancy," and "Three Kings"; an expressive delivery was obtained of "Another Cried": whilst a graphic and pleasing delivery was'given of "These Kings." Mr. Stanley Pritchard invested his numbers witli a tine feeling for rhythm nnd life. His voice is resonant and carries well. He gave with marked surress "That Part Will I Play." sang with telling effect -'A Lover Hold." and gave in a flexible and free style

"A Good Thing I Take." securing a fine climax at the end. The choriise* were sung In a style which evidenced careful preparation. "Bring Branches" weut with a good lilt and in a cheerful aud merry style. A marked reading was given of "Ho! Good Saint John." commendable ehording was made In "Blessings Come." and a dramatic reading, was secured of "See the Tongues of Fire." and the staccat-issimos were well exhibited. Very impressively and eSbfexslveiy sting was "Homeward Go We." A devotionnl rendering was given of "Star of Bethlehem," a tine volume of tone was made by the cburallsts lt_ -Now Joy Shall Be," and an enjoyable ■ performance, was given of the "Bridal Chorus" from the 'Rose Maiden." The" effective Instrumental preludes and ni'compnuiments were appropriately played by the orchestra, firmly led liy Miss Wbitelnw. Miss' Amy Stevenson made a capable principal of the second n-ialln*. and valuable assistance was lent In the wind department by Messrs. Dnnn, Sheldon, Amoiieo, and R. Craig. Mr. Colin Muston conducted In a style which made the executants thoroughly understand* bis wishes. The pianoforte accompaniments were syin-pathi'.tif-allv played by Messrs.- Cyril Towsey and Walter Whyte. The "Misere" music wis Impressively rendered by Miss Pollard and Mr. Whyte. and the former was heard in a telling delivery of Allltaen's "Song of Thanksgiving," after which *he was warmly encored; whilst, the tenor gave delightful renderings of Bluiuenthal's "Evening Song" and "Sally In Our Alley." Mr. Cyril Towse.v's artistic performance, of Chopin's

"Polonaise in C Sharp Minor"* and "Nocturne in F -Sharp Major* gave very much pleasure. ' ■