POPULAR "MESSIAH"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 29, 10 December 1945, Page 7

POPULAR "MESSIAH"

IMPRESSIVE RENDITION AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY The never-waning popularity of "Messiah" was demonstrated once ngarn on Saturday evening, "when the Auckland Choral Society gave an exceptionally devotional and well-balanced performance of Handel's masterpiece before an audience that completely filled the Town Hall auditorium, and which included their Excellencies, the Governor-General, and Lady Ncwall, who were accompanied by the "president of the society, Mr. J. A. C. Allum. ~ „ r The soloists were: Miss Mary Negus, soprano; Miss Mary Pratt, contralto; Mr. Ramon Opie, tenor; and Mr. Ken M acauley, baritone. Also assisting the societv were .Mr. Trevor Sparling, organist. Mr. Gardner Parry, trumpeter, and members of the Royal Auckland Choir, as well as of other kindred societies. The ensemble consisted of a choir of some 200 voices which, due to vocally strong tenor and bass sections, also a smaller soprano section, was more evenly balanced than usual, and an orchestra of about 35 instrumentalists. Immediately responsive to the sensitive control of their most capable conductor, Mr Colin Muston. the choristers gave throughout tastefully shaded performances. Preserving the continuity of the story unfolded in the oratorio by alfording no opportunity for disturbing applause between numbers, Sir. Muston enabled the audience to hear the noble work in a fittingly reverent atmosphere. Most of the best-known choruses were given. Taking into consideration that Miss Negus was under the ordeal of singing for the first time a soprano role that tests the interpretative powers even of a matured artist with the essential vocal equipment, sbe acquitted herself with credit. Her greatest success was achieved in "Rejoice Greatly." the florid runs of which suited her flexible lyric soprano voice admirably. Miss Negus was not. so convincing, however, in '.'Come unto Him" and "I know that my Redeemer," her varying tonal production in legato passages, and tendency to unsteadiness on held notes, marred otherwise satisfactory performances. Making her second appearance in the Town Hall, Miss Mary Pratt, the wellknown Dunedin singer, created a very favourable impression with her expressive singing of the lovely airs allotted to the contralto role. The low notes of her rich and powerful voice, even in quality throughout its extensive range, brought out all the beauty and pathos of numbers such as her opening recitative, "Behold! a Virgin," and of that moving air, "He was Despised." In the tenor solos. Sir. Ramon Opie, who was making his first appearance with the society, started well in "Comfort Ye." and continued his success thereafter. "Every Valley" was given with decision and the runs were clearly defined. The pathos of "Thy Rebuke" and the ensuing airs was brought out sympathetically: "Thou Shalt I'.reak Them" was declaimed dramatically. Mr. Ken Maeauley's cultured, wideranged voice was well suited to the baritone solos. With commendable clarity of diction he gave dramatic interpretations to "Thus Saith the Lord," "But Who May Abide?." and "Why do the Nations?"—into which, by way of good measure, he threw an extra run. To "The People That Walked" he gave a most impressive rendition and, with trumpet obligate played by Sir. Parry, sang "The Trumpet Shall Sound" fluently. Mr. Gardner Parry's trumpet obligato was a virtuoso performance marked by brilliancy of tone and execution, with clear-cut articulation in the runs and trills. Mr. Trevor Sparling filled-in at the grand organ with fine judgment, his tonal contributions adding much grandeur to the majestic choruses. The orchestra, led by Mrs. H. Mclntyre. is to be praised for the manner in which the accompaniments to the soloists were subdued. Now and then, however, there was a spot of doubtful intonation, due. no doubt, to lack of opportunity for adequate rehearsal.

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