MUSICAL.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9603, 18 December 1896, Page 5

MUSICAL.

"THE CREATION." The production by the Musical Union of Haydn's wonderfully dramatic oratorio "The Creation" at the Temple last night may, speaking generally, be regarded as most successful from a musical point of view. The orchestra was compact, well drilled and played in time throughout. The solos were excellently sung and the choruses, both as to maasiveness and attention to light and shade, deserve great credit. Miss Alice Corrick, of whom Christchurch has justly reason to be proud, sang the solos —which are most exacting throughout— allotted to the soprano with taste, expression and a trueness which stamps her voice as one of the best we have had here for some time. Her first solo, "The marvellous work," was taken with a very artistic appreciation of the- idea of the composer added to freshness of vocalisation. " With verdure clad," which is the test air of sopranos who aspire to oratorio work, was most artistically sang by Miss Corrick. The runs were taken with ease and facility, and the whole number was interpreted in a manner deserving the highest praise. There was no attempt to force the voice, but the wealth of melody which this young lady possesses was admirably brought out. Miss Corrick was heard to great advantage also in the trio, "In all the lands resounds." Though not so exacting a number as "With verdure clad," Miss Corrick's singing of the grand air, "On mighty pens " was fully deserving of equal praise. All the dramatic force and descriptive power which the composer has infused into the air was most faithfully interpreted. In the trio, " Most beautiful appear," too, Miss Corrick's fine voice came out with much effect. It is to be regretted that during the beautiful trio, "On Thee each living soul," a number of people left the hall, though the hour was by no means late, thus disturbing the enjoyment of those who appreciated the lovely music of the finale. Miss Corrick is to be congratulated upon having achieved a pronounced success in one of the most difficult of oratorios so far as her part is concerned. Mr Pusehell was excellent in the tenor solos. He was particularly good in his recitatives, which were declaimed with dignity and success. He sang "In splendour bright" and "In native worth " in a manner which deserves great praise. In the concerted music also, Mr Pusohell was heard to advantage. The music allotted to the bass voice in the oratorio is just suited to the calibre of Mr Millar. He gave the opening recitative, "Now furious storms"—perhaps, after "Straight opening," one of the most dramatic and descriptive in the work—with much power and effect. He was also excellent in "Rolling in foaming billows," which he sang with a careful and artistic attention to the intention of the composer to describe by musical sounds certain events. This was also noticeable in his very fine singing of "Straight opening," and the following air " Now Heaven in fullest glory," both of which were most artistically given. In the concerted music Mr Millar's fine voice was heard to very great advantage. The choruses on this occasion were more successful and even than in former performances. There was a verve and a ring about them, added to an excellent balance, which made them most effective. Where all was really so good it is difficult to select any item for particular praise, but perhaps "Awake the harp," "The Lord is great," " Achieved is the glorious work," and "The Heavens are telling" were those which went best. The latter was a grand treat. All the voices blended into one harmoniouswhole,andthismagnificentchorus was given with a spirit and force which has never been equalled by any local society. The orchestra deserves very great credit for their share of the work. The opening item, "Representation of Chaos," was very well played, and in the recitatives they were also very good. This was more particularly noticeable in the one "Straight opening," which calls for most careful playing. The peculiarly dramatic and descriptive music in this was admirably interpreted. Mr Wallace conducted and Miss Packer led the orchestra, and all concerned are to be con gratulated most heartily on a very artistic performance.