COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9596, 10 December 1896, Page 6

COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT.

The high esteem in which Mr H. Wells is held by the lovers of good music in Christchurch was amply testified to last evening by the very large attendance at the complimentary concert tendered to him. The Opera House was almost filled, and the gathering of musicians to assist in the production of " The Messiah " was one of the largest seen in Chrisfcchurch. The solos were distributed among leading vocalists, but Mr A. Millar was unable to be present on account of a severe cold, and Mr Maitland Gardner kindly took his place. Miss Graham, who lias of late shown considerable improvement, gave the recitative " Behold a Virgin," and the air " O thou that tellest" very effectively, but was heard to still greater advantage in "He was despised," in the rendering of which she infused that deep pathos which the number demands. Miss Alice Corrick sang very nicely indeed " There were shepherds :, and the recitatives which' follow, and was loudly applauded for her excellent singing of the air " Rejoice greatly.'" . Miss Gray sang with much success "He shall feed His flock," and Miss Lake also did well in " Come unto Him." Mrs Burns gave a charming rendering of "I know that my Redeemer liveth," her voice being heard to great advantage. Mr Puschell was in good voice and sang the tenor recitatives and solos very effectively, his opening number being, perhaps, his best, the runs in " Every valley shall be exalted" being taken with freedom. He also sane; well the airs "Behold and see," "But thou didst not leave" and "Thou shalt break them." Mr Gardners voice is not Spited to sacred music such as that of the " Messiah," but he sang carefully and well, especially in the difficult air "But who may abide" and " Why do the nations," the latter being his most successful number. The choruses went excellently, the voices were very well balanced, and there was a brightness and evenness all through, which added greatly to the success of the performance. The "Hallelujah Chorus" was equally as well sung as those which preceded it. The orchestra did their work admirably, *ad the " Pastoral symphony " was played with great delicacy. Mr Wells, who was warmly received by the audience, conducted with his well known skill, and he had his large body of performers well in hand. The orchestra was under the able leadership of Mr F. M. Wallace, and Mr R. T. Searrell was organist.