ORPHEUS SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14029, 28 April 1911, Page 7

ORPHEUS SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

"Robin Hood" is tho work of a good musician; it is tuneful and pretty from beginning to end, sometimes with a tendency to monotony in sweetness. Thc performance last night was carefully prepared, although hero and thero lacking light and shade, and several of tho choruses demanded 'a moro spirited tempo. But the conductor kept his forces well in hand right through, and deserves every credit. Among the soloists, "Miss V. Packer and Messrs Dorm and Postgate wero prominently employed. "Miss Packer possesses a pretty voice, but somehow lacks confidence in her own powers; with longer experience she should do well on tho concert stage Both Sir 3>onn and Mr Postgate did faithful work. Tho former gentleman at times was uncertain in intonation, and the latter often deficient in breadth of tone. In the charming trio, Mrs Stallard's voice sounded very well indeed, although it can hardiy be termed a contralto. All the concerted numbers fared well, and the small orchestra, under Miss Rutter's spirited leadership, is entitled to praiso, more so in the accompaniments to the operetta than in the""selection from "Martha." Madame Bernstein proved to be the favourite of the evening with the audience, being recalled a number of times. Handei hardly agrees with her, but she instilled feeling into her ballads, the best oi wliich was the well-known song "'Caller Herr in." The "Maori war song, set to music by Mr Macleodsmith, is cleverly invented and well and effectively harmonised, although thc local colour introduced towards tlw> end might well have been more consistently indicated from ,the start. The part I songs sounded very well indeed, finely modulated, and with careful attention to light and shade. Miss Macleodsmith did what she could with a piano that would not blend with the voices, j-.r the orchestra.