"MESSIAH"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 295, 13 December 1943, Page 5

"MESSIAH"

INSPIRED CHORUS WORK

Outstanding in the Auckland Choral Society's annual performance of Handel s greatest oratorio, given before an audience that filled the Town Hail auditorium to capacity on Saturday evening, was the admirable work of a well-balanced chorus of some 250 voices. From the joyous "And the Glory" to the final paean ot Praise, "Hallelujah," this large body oi singers sang with the precision, the clarity of diction, the tonal quality, and the nice regard for nuance that is expected ot a soloist. For this success great credit is due to the conductor, Mr. Colin Muston, who not only has an infinite capacity ■ 101 taking pains In matters of detail that count, but also has the gift of being able to inspire the forces under his c °n"° with his enthusiasm and encourage tliem to attain their highest peaks of performance. The soprano solos were taken by Miss Winifred Clements, who was best suiteu in florid passages. In arias requiring depth of expression, however, this swee - •Voiced singer on Saturday evening seemed unable to do justice either to herself ox the music. . , Miss Winifred Johnson sang hei contralto solos with such sincerity that it was the audience's misfortune, as weu as her own, that a severe cold detriment ally affected the volume of her cultuieci Although undergoing the ordeal of a first appearance, Mr. Bernard Kearn created a very favourable impression 1 his opening solos with th ® rf quality of his tenor voice,_ and snoweu considerable promise in his succeeai s numbers. , In f- e Seldom since the days < of fl, Hamilton Hodges have we heard s. satisfying exponent of the great bass solos as Mr. Ken Macauley, the Wellington baritone. Possessing a vibrant vol round quality and wide range, Mr. auley sang with delightful fre^"" mcn dVigour, whilst his diction was cominena ably Clear. In "The Trumpet Shan Sound" he shared the honours io - a to Gardner Parry, whose trumpet obligat was a brilliant performance. string Ably led by Mrs. W. Shepley. a orchestra, plus tympani, and lem j_ by the grand organ, played with dQwn lent tone and effect, keeping we at i in the accompaniments to the sol ate times a somewhat difficuit and achievement. Mr. Trevor Sparhng, incidentally, was making his 12th CO L, a tive appearance at these concerts, was * tower of strength at the organ.