MUSICAL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9161, 19 July 1895, Page 3

MUSICAL.

THE MUSICAL UNION CONCERT.

The large audience which assembled last night at the Opera Honse, on the occasion of the second subscription concert of the Musical Union, was—perhaps in sympathy with the weather we have had lately—somewhat cold and frigid in the matter of their applause. The ooucert as a whole was an exceedingly successful ons,' aud if audiences ci>ald only understand what encouragement it is to a singer to receivo sympathetic applause, they would be a little more inclined to award it when so well deserved as was the case last night. The Musical Union is to be congratulated on the brightness of the first part. The introduction of the part songs, which the members sang excellently » and most enjoy ably, wilt, one is led to hope, induce the Committee to give us more of tht3 class of music on future occasious. The opening item, a march and chorus from '• Tannhauscr," went well. The orchestra I interpreted the bold, bright music of the maich excellently, and the voices—though the bass Wiis somewhat weak at times— did their share of the work capitally. ] Lohr's pretty song, "Love's Proving," is exactly the style o't music which suits Mr Loveil's voii'.a, *:id ho sum,' it carefully and well, though in parts there was a lack of brightness. MacFiirrea's fine and dramatic settiug of "The Three Fishers" received very artistic treatment from the chorus. It was excellently the expression, which is so marked a feature, being carefully given, more particularly in the rinale, which was exceedingly clfeutive. No greater foil could have been found to the somureuess of the item just noticed that tho qu.unt little part sorg, "You SuWo my Love." Both its dainty humour and pretty melody were capila'ly given, and tho members ot the Uniou deserve great credit for the way iv which tiiu number wns sung. Mrs li'ibinson's pure toius were heard to great advantage in U-ibaadi's " All* Stella Coiiliduiiig.' , It was sung with much ease am) artistic finish. Mr 11. H. Lmgliiian ulio deserves praise for his 'cello ohligati), w!>ie!i was well played. Mr W. A. D.iy hurdiy seoni'id afc ease in " Dio Piissonte," Valentino's song fiom "Faust." He took it rather too slowly, and a little more fire infused iuto ie would have made it go better; stiil the number was given with care, and tho finale was well sung. The choral ballad " The miller's wooing," which tfl'taed tho first pirt, was most enjoy.tble. It went with much spirit aud the voices were well balanced. The orchestra deserves credit for their rnally excellent! playing in tho part songs, adding as it did greatly to the uudonbtcd success of these items.

The theme of a sleeping maiden rescued from t&e toils of witchcraft by a bold lover has been n. favourite one with tho nursery story makers of all couut.ries, but in Cnwen's beaniifui cantata we have it set to uhar.ning melody. The music is weird and peculiar, and the lion's share of the work falls upon the orchestra. Last night the members of the orchestra fulfilled tlioir task iv a manner • ieservingthe very highest commendation, all t he quaint and at times biz u*re melodies being very artistically interpreted. This was particularly the case with the charming dance music, the very peculiar portiou where the Prince finds the maiden asleep, au-.i tho beautiful orchestral interlude iv the early part of tlie cantata. Mrs Robinson sang the music of the Princess excellently. There 13 not much molody in it, the greater Dirt being recitative, and this latter Mrs RjbitHou invested with its true dramatic character by her careful and intelligent interpretation. She was very good indeed in the solo " Whither Away," and iv the concluding duels with Mr Lovcli. Mias Dαvie deserves very groat praise indeed for her artistic singing of the music allotted to the Wicked Fay. She was especially successful in the parts commencing, '*It is a spinning wheel," " Spring from the earth, red roses," the latter of which was esp2cial)y well sung, and Mies Da vie was also heard to great advantage in her opening solo, *' To the feast I come," which was very dramatically sung. Mr Lovell, though in parts forcing his voice somewhat —a thing which was perhaps uua.voida.ble, inasmuch as the music is more suited to a robust tenor—sang the music of the Prince excellently. He was especially good in the tenor aplo, " But she around whose cradle," and "Where am I?" The recitative" Light; light at last," and the concluding duets were also very artistically sung. Tho music allotted to the king is exceedingly thankless, entailing a good deal of hard work without much corresponding opportunity of display. Mr Day is to be congratulated on the success which attended his interpretation of the part. He was especially good in the solos, " Child, ask no more " and " Pure as thy heart." The choruses" were all good ; particularly "Draw the thread," "Sleep, sleep" and that very charming melody ** At dawn of day." As has already been said the orchestra played excelleutiy, bringing oub in strong relief bho intensely weird and dramatic character of the music. Mr Wallace couducted, and Miss Packer led. A contribution to the Winter Work Fund was raised by the sale of 438 copies of the words realising a gross sum of £5 10a 31.