MUSICAL UNION JUBILEE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13740, 23 May 1910, Page 9

MUSICAL UNION JUBILEE.

BRIEF HISTORIC SKETCH

As this U the year of "jubilee so far tjic .Musical Union us concerned, a ; &,„* of the Main features of it* hj S - Lrj though ncrcsianly short, will be interesting. ' The first recorded fact that can be ♦mk-wI in tJio Bomewhat misty past U that n (ktober 3l.st. lh&-i. tho first monthly • oi t!io Ciintorbury Vociil fnion vas hM. This was tlu- parent f the present Musical I'nion. Mr J. H. • 'jMMise'.l was the hon. sec. and <->ndiictor, and the concerts were jiiven in t j, e -Market 'Hall, a building in tho Market used ns the <)fii<<! before the rrcsent one was omt.-i. The fir«t cori'crt was yiveii on Drcein■Lr I.lth. IH'JO, tin' proyranimo corn•■p*kinK roadinp by Mr John Ollivier. L r t and choruses and vocal solos. Mrs Furby presided at the piano, ami \i r l ytanself ciinducted. On 'January Bth, 1801, tho Canterfjiin , Vooal liiion. of which Mr -J. K. \ Stansell was hon. .sec. ijave a concert • n t i,,. Market Hall, the prograinnie of ivliif-h included part songs a»id solos by - tie memb«*r.s. and a reading by Mr .1. Ollirier- Monthly appear to hare been held, and on May 7th of the same year a Micial soiree of the members took place in the Market Hall. People in those days were not quite so rfcastire-lovini: as now. There was more j-ard work in the shape of colonisation to be done, and therefore the precursor - of the Musical Union only gave v concert at long intervals. In July. 18til, a concert was given, the programme cunprisins part-songs, «lcc.s, vocal sirlos, etc. On «?ptember 3rd, lw) • th*'first annual meeting was held, the suiscn'ptions of members were reported as amountintt to £21 Kis, and the niocwds of concerts £BU l"*s. Tlie omcers elected were:—Treasurer. Mr J. ytringor; conductor, Mr J. F. -»ieCrrdell; librarian, Mr Smith ; secretary, Mr J B. Stansell. A farewell concert to 3fr R. Elliott, one of the mombers. vas fnvpn by the Union on September 7tli. "On Christinas Eve the vocal section of tho Society, the name of which had been changed to the Musical i?nion—thus foreshadowing an amalga- . mation taking place many years later— • -.gave a concert in the Town -.mil. Tlio ' programme included part glees, vocal solos, etc., which were the staple items of music in those days. At a concert gi%'en iiTthe Town Hall on October 7th, 1862. the programme included part songs, vocal solos, choruses, and instrumental selections. Air-ongst the latter may be noted Handel* Occasional Overture, Mozart's ISY. 1 Symphony, Haydn's Symphony 1?, and (what a contrast) a set of quadrilles. At this period Mr C. W. Bishop was secretary. The next ap- ' pearanco of tho Society was at a concert in tho Town Hall on Novemoer - Hh of tho same year, in aid of the '. fioncashire Relief Fund. The programme was of a somewhat similar . character to the preceding one. In tho opening c-f 1863 the . office-bearers wero Mr Cracroft \i llson, C.8.; vice-preaident, Mr J. Ollivier; treasurer* Mr G. Miles; hon. sec, Mr C W. Bishop; conductor, Mr J. F. McCardlo; leader, Mr C. Bonnington. A concert was given in Barnard's Repository, a building on the site now occupied ,by Tattersalls, •on January 19th. 1863, in Conjunction with the English Opera Company. This latter comprised Madame Carandini, Messrs It. W. Kohler, J. Small, and E. Sala- - man. Tho programme wae a miscellaneous one. The instrumental items comprised the overtures "Semiramide" and "La Dame Blanche." In June, J 863, the Society took part in tho concert jnVen on the opening of the Canterbury Music Hail/ afterwards the ■ Prince's Tneatre, on the site of. the.old theatre now- in course of demolition as stictil ' Messrs Poussard and Douay, the celebrated violinist and 'cellist, also appeared. The contributions of the Musi- . cal Society were part-songs and Mendelssohn's "Wedding March." Tlio first' production of "The Messiah," styled in the programme "a rehearsal," - took place in Mr Bonnington's musichall, Cathedral square, a building on - the site of tho offices now occupied by Dalgftty and Co., on May-23rd, 1864. Mr J. B. Stansell was the conductor, and the. principal members of the orchestra were:—Leader, Mr C. Bonnirigton; second violin, Mr' Jones, jun.; ' 'celb, Mr Jones; flute; Mr Wood; har^ • timniura. Mr Waddington; clarionet, Mr-Triphook. The vocal soloists, ns re- ' corded on tho programme, were Mesjdanies IfttzGerald, Jollie, Lance, and « Price; Miss Oakes; the Rev. J. Wilson; Messrs Lee, Bell, and Rutland. The •Society gave a miscellaneous concert on ■ September JGtb, 1864, on the occasion of-tho opening of the new Town Hall. . 'The Messiah" was> reoeated at the

Mievr Town Hall on September 27th, J864, under the conductorshio of Mr J. F. McCardell. Mr Richard Davis being bon. secretary. Mr R.. "W. Kohler played tho trumpet obbligato to • '.'The Trqinpot Shall Sound;". The vocal soloists were, in the main, the . fame is thoso taking part in tho former rrodtwtion. But there were some \- wWitions. Mr Morton sanp: "Bnt Who .-■Shall-Abide?" and "The Peonle that , Walked": Mrs Cookson, "Behold a Virgin/ , and "0 Thou-that Tellest"; - Miss Hamilton "Ho was Despised" ; Mr Hoobs "The Trumoet Shall Sound,'! and Mr Rutland "my Do the ■. nations." "The Creation" was first given-by the Society in the new Town Hall on May 4th, iB6O. Mr Tankard, - oboe, and Mr Lee, 'cello, were tho addi- . t»ns to the orchestra, and Mr E. W. Seager , * name appears for tho firist trae as presiding over the tympani. £"*THin<:ipal soloists were Mesdames IrtzGerald. Lloyd, Price. Johnston, and MeKra Merton, Leo, BelJ, and the Rev. J. Wiisotf. On iMay 16th of the same jear a concert to commemorate the are* visit of the General Synod to winstrtrarch was given, the programme 01 which included, items from various oratorios. Tho Rev. J. Wilson was Mentioned on the programme as president, and Mr W. Stringer as vice-presi- ' wnt. Under the oonductorship of Mr <f. Bilton, Romberg's "Lay "of the Jfcll was first given, supplemented by > selections from "The May Queen," and nuscellaneous items. On August Bth, *86S, the first performance of "Jiidas • geocabeus" was given in Bonnington's Hall. Th e soloists were Mrs Fitz- . Oerald. Miss Strokes Mrs Johnston, toe Rev. J. Wilson, Messrs Merton and T. w. Jones. A miscellaneous concert of sacred «nd secular music was piven on February 2nd, 1866, niien Mr. A. J. Cotterill was honorary secretary. On April sth a concert of sacred music, comprising excernts from various oratorios, was given. Nothing is discoverable with regard to the Society for the first seven months of 1867, "but on August 23i.*d of Uiat year a meeting of the Cliristohnrch Musical Society- was held to wind ui> its affairs. It was decided to dissolve the Society., but to invest the property in the hands of five trustees. Messrs Palairet. G. Jones, Wood, Bonnington, and In wood, in trust for any society in Christchurch nnrubering twenty-five members meeting witli the approval of the trustees. On August 31st nn advertisement appeared asking vocalists and instrumentalists willing to join the Christchurch Mu«acal Society to .send their

names to Mr A. J, Cottcrill, hon. sec. prr. tern. Ultimately the Society was reorganised, with Messrs A. J. Cotterill, secretary; G. Inwood, treasurer: Giraud librarian. McCaraeU conductor, and G. Bonnington leader. Tho Rev. J. Wilson was elected president, and Messrs Power, Button, Coombes, and Philips, committee. Thirty members were reported as havn>e joined. A diligent search of the papers of zhe year, however, does not reveal any notice of a concert being giren by the new organisation. In August, 1869, the name of the

Society having been changed to that of Chr-steburcli Musical Society. "Tho Creation 7, wa-s repeated, Mr H. W. Packer being conductor, and Herr Bunz leader. Those talcing pert in it were Mesdames. Chas. Harper and Liovd, Miss A. Louahnan, Rev. E. A. l.ingard Messrs T. ""Leo, G. f. Price, Ktitland, H. Thompson. and A. Appleby. This is the first record of x)i(! last-named gentleman .singing with the• Sofu'ty. Sir M. Costa's "Eli" was given on June 17th, 1870, under the comhictorship ol- Mr Robert Parker. Tiio'.e taking part in it were Mrs Peacock, .Mrs Robison, Misses f. Colo, and A. Lo:iyhnan. Messrs Merton. Applrby, Price. Stansell, and F. Jones. Ii August of the samo year a programme including I3:er!y r s cantata ■•f'V.ith and Adoration." selections from

j 'Tlio 'Creation. , ' arid miscellaneous items \v?n< given. "St. Paul"' «-as produced lor tii-» h'rst time ity the fro- ! fifty on -June Bth. 1871. those taking part in it iioing Mrs Hobison, Misses A S. Taylor, and A. Loushnnn, Dr. JHnast M».ssr-! Apuleby. If. Thompson, ninl T. \V. .Jn:es. A miscellaneous concert, including selections !n.m "St Paul,' , was jiiven i:» July, ,!h. 1, ana one thu programme oi which- indiided selections from Haydn s "I he S"a-f)iis." on Ot:toixT 31st. Hio last of these was umior the eonduc-torship ..I Mr A. Lan.lergan. "The Messiah was the. Christinas oratorio lor l«il.. when Mr Currick took part in the programme, in addition to the other members already mentioned. '"A.is an-1 Galatea" was frst given on April 2nd, 1872, at the Oddfellows' Hall. 1 he stcond part included, amongst other it-ins, Haydn's ••.Surprise" Syn phony. In August, 1872, "Judas Maccabeus was given the soloists being Misses A. S Taylor' Kowicy, Messrs Mertors, Ilobb/ and Ccrrie'k. and on November 28th. 1572. -The Creation," Mr LanderKan being conductor. Messrs Stansell, Applehy H J. and H. H. Louglman, fir.d the Key. E. A. Lingard _ were .imongst tlw .soloists, Ln addition to those^already mentioned. 'The May Queen"' and "miscellaneous items formed I ho programme for the concert on May 11th* The name of rhe .Society >vas changed in this year to that of the Christchurch Harmonic .Society, and the first concert under tlas title was given on December 15th. Theprogramme included Spohr's cantata, "God, Thou Art Great," in vhich the soloists were Mrs Leonard Harper and Mr Applehy and Mendelssohn* "'Hymn ri Praise," in which Miss A. L. Taylor, Mrs L Harper, and Mr Appleliy were the soloists. The Christinas oratorio for 1873 was "The Messiah, m which Mr James Knox mado his •lobut as a soloist. "The Ancient Mariner was given on April 9th, 1874, Mr J. Knox being conductor, and also singing the bass solos, and in June of the same year "The Lay of the Bell" and miscellaneous items. In October, 1874, "Samson' was given, Madame Winter and Mr Walcot being the new soloists. In December of this year Haydn's Mass in D and Mendelssohn s Music to Racine's "Athalie" formed the programme. The new soloists were Mrs Digby Mrs Barry, and Misses Little and Colo "The Creation" was the opening work of the year 1875 In October of that year, under the oonductbrship of Mr Neville G. Barnett, "Elijah" was given, and in December of the same year "Tho Messiah," under Mr Knox, with Miss Rosina Carandini and Mr A. P. Sheath as new soloiets. In May, 1876, the first concert under Mr Robert Parker -was given, Haydn's "Seasons" forming tho programme. The Christmas oratorio "Tho Messiah" was given in the Durham street West leyan Church, and Mr Neville G. Barnett also payed an organ eolo, Handel s "Concerto in F." In 1877 the title of the Society was again changed to that of the Christchurch Musical Union, and the first concert of the re-con-structed Society was given in April, "St. Paul" forming tie programme, Mr Parker conducting and Dr. yon Haast being the leader of the orchestra. , In July "The Ancient Mariner" was given, and , orchestral items by the members - of the Orchestral Society, which hod amalgamated -with the Harmonic Society. The next concert, in September, 1877, comprised Mozart's overture "Idomeneo," Spohr's overture /'Jessonda " and Mozart's Symphony in D by the orchestra; piano solo by Mr H.. M. Lund; trio (violin, cornet and piano); Messrs J. Coombs, C,Coombs and Neville Barnett. "The Creation" was given ac an efternoon concert in St. Michael's school on December 20th. In the years 1878 and 1879 most of the stock oratorios were given, the name having again changed to the Harmonic Society, Mr A. Landergan conducting during the former, and - Mr J. T. Macleodsmith during the latter, year. At the end of the season 1879 "The Messiah" was given, with the Hon. S. G. Lyttelton singing several .of the bass solos. The year 1880 was opened with "St. Paul." In 1881, the name haying again been changed to the Christchurch Musical Scciety, "Elijah" was given. Miss Fairhurst sang some of the soprano solos, and Mrs Palairet the alto. Mr Boyd wns Elijah, and Mr Puschel sang for the first time. Good work.was done during the sueceedins year. In 1883 "Lauda Sion," Gade's "Crusaders," and "St. Paul" were given, Mr Wells conducting. Miss Spcnsley and Mrs C. Mi Gray first appeared as soloiste in VLauda Sion" and 'The Crusaders." The season of 1884 opened with "The Bride of Dunkerron," the soloists being Miss Spensley, Messrs W. Izard and MaiiJand Gardner, the latter two making their first appearance. Handel's ''Theodora," mentioned'as being given for the first time in the colonies, and Schubert's "Song of Miriam," formed the programme for the second concert of 1884, when Mrs Long and 1 Mr E. Cene made their debut as soloiste, Mr H. Cormk being leader. There were 108 performing members and 135 honorary. The last concert of the year in the Drillshed' comprised "Walpurgis Night" arid "The Crusaders." In the latter Mrs Frank Graham sang the soprano part. Spohr's "Last Judgment" (in which Mrs W. P. Townendmade her debut as a soloist), Schumann's "New Year Song," "Elijah" (in ■which Mr Maitland Gardner was Elijah) and "The Meceiah" (in which Mr Gardner sang the buss solos), were tho works produced during 1885. The number of performing members Avas 89, and honorary 103. During 1886 "Stabat Mater" and miscellaneous items. "The Creation" (in which Mrs J. P. Kelly, Messrs Arthur Merton and F. Berkas made their debut as soloists), "NewYear's Song" (in which Mrs W. Wilson made her debut), and Mendelssohn's unfinished opera "The Loreley," -with Miss Spensley in the music of Leonora, and "The .Messiah." formed the bill of fare for 188<i. Mr Arthur Towsey was the conductor. For 1887. '"Eli" and "St. Paul" were the principal works, Mrs Westmacott, Messrs A. Millar, C. Lascelles, and T. H. Barnett making their debut as soloists. "Comala'- and a miscellaneous concert formed the programme of the first concert of 1888, Mrs Garrard and Miss Button being among the soloists in "Comala," and Mr F. M. Wallace, then leader, paying a violin solo. '"Alexanders Feast" and "Lorcley, ,, in which Mrs F. M. Wallace* ivas amongst the soloists, was given for the second cotioert. For the third, "Psyche"' was performed. Mr A - *> a - v making his d*but ci a soloist. The fourth concert comprised "The Messiah," given in the Skating Kink, now the Colosseum, when the orchestra and chorus numbered aver 25»i) members. Mr Wallace was appointed conductor, and on Mr Towsey resigning, and conducted the third and fourth concerts of the year. During 18S9 "The Crusaders," "Stabat Mater," "The Ancient Mariner" (in which Mrs Burns first appeared as a soloist), and •'The Creation" were given all in. the Skating Rink. In 1890Cowen's "Sleeping Beauty," Smart's "Bride of Dunkerron," and Gaul's "Joan of Ajc,"

u-ere given, Mr H. Weir making his debut as a soloist in the latter. In 1891 a miscellaneous concert, Mr Lusr combe SearcU'e cantata "•Australia," "Lauda Sion," "Comala," and "The Messiah" were given. . In _1592 Mr TGarrard became hon. secretary and ti-er.surer of the Society, a post which he held for many years most successfully, doing excellent work. During tho" year the Ouda Musical Company gave a series of three concerts in connection with the Society, with most satisfactory results, £72 being realised for the "Society. Mr Alfred Hill's "Scottish Sonata.'' for violin and piano, was amongst the items.. "The Messiah" was given as the Christmas Oratorio in the Cathedral,' Miss Packer being the leader of the orchestra ior the iirst time.

Space will only allow of chronoloiricallv noting the principal events of the history of the Society. In 1393. "St. Jolin"s Eve*' and Xaacian" were given for tho first time, and "The Messiah" in the Cathedral. Tn 1894 the amalgamation of the Orchestral Society and the Musical Society was carried out, and the title of Musical Union adopted. Two orchestral, two choral, and one. miseellaneons concert were given during tin) year. Miss Lilian Smith made her debut with the Union during this year. For 1390 the ;prDgramnios were mainly repetitious, 'and nothing eventful occured. "The Messiah" was given, with Madame Eveleen Carlton, Miss Venie Flower, and Messrs J. W. Hill and J. Pro use as soloists. For the opening concert of 189G, "Faust" was given tor the lirst time. At tho third concert of the year. "The Bride of Punkerron" was given. "The Crea-

I tion" was the last work of the year, j Tho production of "Cavalleria. RiistiI cana" marked the opening of the season of 1897, and "The Messiah" was given at the end of tho year. Tho most noticeable event of 1898 was the production at the first concert of 31r Alfred Hill's "Hinensoa." "Stabat Mater was given at the end of the year. M: - Wallace leaving for England in 1899, it was arranged that the Musical Union and Motett Society should work together uder the eonductorship' of Mr H. Wells. "Samson , ' was given at the first concert,' "The Ancient Mariner" at the third, "The Messiah" being the Christmas Oratorio. The season of 1900 opened with "The Rose Maiden." The Union assisted at the musical arrangements of the Industrial Exhibition, and also save the iirst concert in the then Canterbury Hall given by any local organisation. In 1901 "Ruins of Athens," "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast," "Psyche." and "The Messiah" were given. The great event of 1902 was the production of "The Messiah" and "The Creation/ , with Mdlle. Antonia Dolores in the soprano solos. "The Golden Logend," Schubert's Unfinished Symphony, Beethoven's No. 2, and "l>eath of Minnehaha" were the otner notable productions. Judas Macca"The Spectre Bride," and "The Messiah" were" the princinal works given in 1903. In 1904 * "Fausl," with- Miss Amy Murphy as Marguerite; "Elijah," with Mr Hamilton Hodges in th(! name part. The notable feature of the year was the performance of "Faust." with 'Mr Watkin Mills as Mephisto. Mr Wallace retired from musical work this year, and Dr. Bradshaw assumed the conductorship of tlie Union. The further history of the Union up to dato is so modern as not to need recapitulation, except to refer to the great logß sustained by the retirement of Mr Thos. Garrard, who had' been indefatigable and ablo secretary for so many years.