SIXTY SINGERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 122, 25 May 1934, Page 10

SIXTY SINGERS.

ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR.

SEASON'S FIRST CONCERT

A tasteful and varied .programme drew a large audience to the Town Hall last evening, when the Royal Auckland Choir gave its opening concert of the season. There was a good muster of some sixty voices, under the baton of Dr. W. E. Thomas, and the performances were, on the whole, well up to the high standard that Auckland is accustomed to expect from this fine combination of seasoned singers. The principal work on the programme was Paliard's descriptive part-song, "The Sen Fight," a stirring number full of effective contrast, giving splendid opportunities to all sections of the choir. This performance was characterised by clean attack and release, line tone and tasteful interpretation, and it evoked rounds of applause. Other praiseworthy performances were those of the hunting song from Bullard's "King Arthur," a richly harmonised number; Bishop's "Now Tramp o'er Moss and Fell," in which Miss Nancye Hanna's dramatic soprano voice was most effective in the solo part; Edward Grieg's beautiful part-song, "Land Sighting," with a tasteful solo by Mr. C. S. Firth; ' lo the Stars" (Kucken); J. H. Pliilpott s clever arrangement of "Beware," and Brahms' lovely "Lullaby." One of the gems pf the evening was the tenor solo by Mr. A. G. Fogerty, in Midnon's charming part-song, "Recompense," sung very sweetly to a delightful "bouche fermee" accompaniment. This was deservedly encored. A feature of the conceit was the singing of Elgar's "Land of Hope and Glory," included in the programme as a mark of respect to the memory of the late composer. It was sung by a solo voice (Mr. H. S. Reynolds) and the choir, with the audience standing and joining in the final chorus. Several encore numbers were given in response to warm applause, the final one being the beautiful "Hymn of the Netherlands," which made a fitting close to a most enjoyable concert. The choir and its conductor are to be complimented upon a, number of very fine performances, which were notable for artistic balance a«d good intonation.

The assisting performers were Miss Helen Gray (violinist), Miss Naucye Hanna (soprano), Mrs. A. Rattray soprano) and Mr. W. Gemmeil (baritone). Miss Gray's numbers were Sarasatc's "Zigeunerweisen" and Kreisler's arrangements of Cbaminade's "Serenade Espagnole" and de Falla's "Danse Espagnole." Except for an occasional slight lapse in intonation, due 110 doubt to nervousness, Miss Gray gave a very creditable performance* marked by excellent tone, and demonstrated convincingly that she is becoming one of the most promising of Auckland's young violinists. As recall numbers Miss Gray played a difficult arrangement of Te Rangi Pai's "Hine e Hine" and "Allegro" (Fiocco). Miss Nancye Hanna gave an artistic interpretation to Rachmaninoff's "At Night," the beauty of which was enhanced by the accompaniment played by Miss Kathleen O'Leary. To this was added, as an encore, Dvorak's "Songs My Mother Taught Me." Miss Hanna was not so well suited in Flotow's "Last Rose of Summer," but was more successful in "Rain." Mr. W. Gemmell's virile baritone voice was well suited in Verdi's "Eli tu," in which he brought iout well the contrast between the tragic vehemence and the pathos of the aria. In response to a recall Mr. Gemmeil gave a somewhat restrained rendition of the ever-popular "Maire, My Girl." Not the least popular items of the evening were the duets sung by Mrs. IA. Rattray and Mr. W. Gemmeil, these being Lohr's "The Day is Done" and a humorous Irish number, the latter being an encore number. The voices blended well and both ducts were sung with taste and understanding. Miss Kathleen O'Leary accompanied Miss Hanna's solo numbers. Mr. Eric Bell, who is the choir's official accompanist, gave unobtrusive support in the other performances on the programme.