SACRED CONCERT.

Press, Volume XXV, Issue 3313, 15 April 1876, Page 2

SACRED CONCERT.

Last evening a eacred concert wae given by the troupe, consisting of Rossini's s "6tabat Mater ,, and selections from the oratorios, &c. In the former the principals were Madam Simonsen, Mies Lambert, Mr Moiley, and Mr Bicbardson. The opening movement went very smoothly, but slightly wanted attack. Mr Morley'e rendering of " Cujue Animam" was very nice, though in the beginning his voice was not in each good order as usual; but some of the upper notes were very pure and clear; and throughout there was vaiied and appropriate expression. The duo " Qaie est homo" is a most exacting ''■ movement, abounding in difficult chroma* ticisms, requiring the utmost trueness of intonation ; on the whole this was nicely performed, the solo parts being better than where the voices are combined, there being a tendency to sharpen. Mr Richardson was not successful in the " Pro peccatis;" the singing was tame, and withal somewhat sharp. The opening of the 'I Eia Mater" would have been more in accordance with the conductor's evident idea of speed and time, had the chorus not quite ignored the fact that that functionary :is usually intended to be of some use, and not merely to wave his baton in the air without being watched; but the piece gradually improved as it progressed. In the " Hancta Mater" the solos were good. In the soprano there was an endeavor to force the voice unduly, but the tenor was decidedly good, and where these two combine the einging was really capital. Mr Bichardson was in this much better, and Miss Lambert was decidedly good. Also in the "Fae ut portem" Miss Lambert showed that she has much more voice than she has before displayed, and here she sang very clearly and smoothly, sustaining her notes well. We were most agreeably surprised at the rendering given of the difficult " Inflammatus;" to commence on the high Q- is not easy, but in this the note was as clear and true as could be desired; and in the gradually ascending passages the crescendo was most capital, all the notes beiDg produced well and with evident ease. The sequence of short shakes was also clearly performed. The unison chorus was firmly attacked and sung with a fine tone, but in the gentler parts the dotted notes were not sharply given, being more like divided triplets. The qvartetto" Quando Corpus" (accompanied) was equal and well balanced. The "In Sempiterna" was omitted, and in its stead, as a finale, the "Gloria," from Mozart's 12th Mass, was performed. On the whole it went exceed- ; ingly well, but the chorus was not ready at the commencement. The second part commenced with a placid duet by Giorza (" Domine Deus"), sung by Mr Steinbach and Mr Hodgson. The former ear g very carefully, indeed almost too much so ; but his voice is clear and pure, and his intonation true. Mr Hodgson took his part easily, bat he lacked expression. Mr Moriey sang " In native worth" (" Creation* , ') in a style most pleasing. The movement was a trifle too slow, but the notes were most excellently produced, and-the words spoken with most commendable distinctness. Mr Morley also sang an air '.' O ealutaris," by Bazin, to which the same remarks will apply. Mr Richardson appeared again to sing " The trumpet shall sound " (from Handel's Messiah), but his voice .was not strong enough. However, Mr Hallas performed the "trumpet abligato in a manner which atoned for much. Madame and Mr Sim'onsen joined in Lebanc's " Praise to the Lord." Of Madame Bimonsen's vocalization it would be difficult to speak too highly, and Mr JSimonsen's violin obblvgato was a rare treat, the double stopping being most easily executed, and the harmonies being played in a masterly manner. This was deservedly encored. Mr Barrington eaDg an "Aye Maria" by Bistori so exceedingly nicely that he was most vociferously recalled, and one could but regret that he appeared in no other piece. " O rest in the Lord " was aung rather nicely by Miss Lambert, but the came can scarcely be said for the torzetto "Lift thine eyes." The concert concluded with Handel's " Halle-' lujah," from the Messiah.