"MESSIAH."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 299, 17 December 1937, Page 3

"MESSIAH."

PITT STREET CHURCH CHOIR.

DEVOTJONAL PERFORMANCE,

The Pitt Street Methodist Church was filled to the doors last night when the choir, augmented to 100 voices, under the baton of Mr. Albert Bryant, gave a very successful performance of Handel's "Messiah," one which, by reason of tlie surroundings and the absence of distracting applause, was more of the character of a devotional act than that of a mere entertainment. This was preceded by the singing by all of "Adestes Fideles."

With a larger proportion than usual of men's voices, the balance of the choir was remarkably even. The leads were taken with certainty and decision, while tone and intonation alike were excellent. Mr. Bryant's readings were along traditional lines., being tasteful rather than spectacular. The choruses given included most of the best known, such as "And the Glory," "For unto us a Child is born," "Behold! the Lamb of God," "All we, like sheep," "Worthy is the Lamb," and concluded with "Hallelujah."

The soprano solos were taken by Miss Winifred Hill. Although her opening recitatives were sung most expressively, Miss Hill's lSglit lyric soprano voice was heard to best advantage, perhaps, in "Come unto Him."

The sympathetic quality of Miss Beryl Smith's voice was well suited to the contralto solos, notably in "He shall feed His flock" and "He was despised."

From the opening recitative, "Comfort ye," to his final solo, Mr. Leslie Rus«>ell sang the tenor solos with his usual tasteful expression, especially in the group commencing with the recitative, "Thv rebuke" and ending with "But Thou did'st not leave."

Mr. Stewart Harvey, w7io was in excellent voice, gave virile renditions of the bass solos. "Thus saith" was given with resonance and appropi iate tire was put into his delivery of the words, "He is like a refiner's lire." Fine tone was displayed in "The people that walked," and both "Why do the nations?" and "The trumi>et shall sound" were sung with fine spirit.

Creat praise is due to Mr. Trevor Spat ling lor his tine work at the organ. At the conclusion the Rev. E. 'J'. Olds thanked the |HM'foriners. and presented the lady soloists with beautiful bouquets.