ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1932, Page 10

ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR.

FIRST CONCERT OF SEASON. ARTISTIC PERFORMANCE. In the presence of their Excellencies, the Governor-General and the Lady Bledisloe, and a large, enthusiastic audience, the Royal Auckland Choir gave its first concert of the season at the Town Hall last evening. The programme opened, most appropriately—this year marking Haydn's bi-centenary —with the immortal composer's favourite work, "Tho Emperor's Hymn," composed in 1797 to commemorate the Austrian Emperor's birthday. This air, so sublime in its simplicity, so devotional in its character, was sung last night to the familiar words, "Praise the Lord! ye Heavens adore Hira." Then followed Maunder's stirring part song, "To Arms," in which the choir had an opportunity to display some nice contrasts as well as some really beautiful pianissimo singing. Mr. A. G. Fogerty's light tenor voice was next heard to advantage in tho serenade, "The Drowsy Woods," to a bouche fermee accompaniment, provided by the choir. This was a charming performance.

In the whimsical part song, "Idylle Mongolliene," sung to the accompaniment of a piano duet played by Messrs. H.C. Luscombe and A. M. Walton, the choristers were inclined to take matters too seriously, and the musical jest, in consecpuence, fell a bit flat. The next two part songs were "The Rose" (N. W. Cade) and Brewer's "Break, Break, Break." The latter, a sad, but very beautiful song, was most tastefully sung. A group of four part songs, "O Sorrow Not," "Northman's Song," "Sweet and Low," and "Come, Let Us Join," provided an excellent study in contrasts, and "A Summer Lullaby," which followed, gave the choir an opportunity to display some of the delightful piano singing in which it excels. The concluding item was the declamatory "Sword of Ferrara," given with great spirit, making a fitting termination to a very enjoyable concert. The conductor, Dr. W. K. Thomas, obtained a ready responco from his singers and gave his usual artistic readings of the various' part songs. The members of the choir were in fill! force, and, except for an occasional slight loss of pitch, gave a fine well-balanced performance. Mr. H. C. Luscombe made an acceptable accompanist.

The choir was assisted last evening by Madame Aileen Johns, dramatic soprano, who sang Azucena's recital from Verdi's "11 Trovatore," last sung hero as a duet in the opera, "In Galling Fetters They Bound Her." This contralto number demonstrated the wide range of the singer's voice. Madame Johns' other programme number was Vaughan Williams' "Silent Noon." The instrumental side of the programme was supplied by the Auckland Girls' Brass Band, under Mr. . A. Hodgkins, whose methods, although they may be unorthodox, certainly get results. These girls, notwithstanding the short time they have been learning, play much better as a body than a number of combinations composed of men alone. Their tone was good and the pitch was well maintained. The band received an enthusiastic welcome from the members of the audience, who were obviously surprised and pleased by the high standard of performance.