ORATORIO IN THE CATHEDRAL.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7124, 21 July 1888, Page 6

ORATORIO IN THE CATHEDRAL.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE PRESS. Sir,—Although not a few musical people who were present at the Cathedral on Thursday evening altogether dissent from your reporter's criticism on the perfonnaoce of "The Woman of Samaria," yet of course many of the points touched upon are matters of opinion. To most of these I Intend to say nothing, It is not right, however, to entirely pass over the statement that the chorale in the introduction was unsteadily sung. I venture to think that your reporter was entirely misled by the fact that the rhythm of the vocal part is different from that of the instrumental part, the former is in fact in " two-four" time, the latter in "three-eight." It is difficult enough to sing, but it was not unsteadily given. I should like, however, to mention certain errors as to matters of fact into which your reporter has fallen, and then I think it may be safely left to your readers to lodge of the value of the criticism. 1. Tour reporter says—" The same fault was noticeable in the recitative with the bass, ■-' There cometh a' woman, , the bass voice overpowering the contralto instead of blending." A reference to the music .shows that the two voices never sing together; how then could they blend, or one overpower the other? 2. " The second chorus, * Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, , was well taken. In the softer passages, particularly the chorale at the end of the number, the voices were heard to advantage." There is no chorale at the end of this chorus, nor anything like it. 3. The chorus "For unto Thee, was well sung, and ** Therefore witn Thee" went very brightly. Neither of these choruses is to be found in the oratorio In question. I am, &c, Chorister.