ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17018, 15 December 1920, Page 8

ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY.

THE "MESSIAH." The "Messiah" approaches the tercentenary of its life with undiminished vitality. Indeed, iii the present year, th© number of performances through the length an 4 breadth of New Zealand surpasses all previous records. It may bo assumed that a similar revival esitends over oil parts of the Empi®. .It is a good, a hopeful sign. Focr, where could we And in more glorious alliance the profound devotional spirit of the words reflected and intensified by the inspired language of its music? And, again, one may recall the almost incredible Utle tnat Handel completed this deathless work whhin the space ol 21 days, of which the mere writing out of the csooro would absorb a goodly ©hare. ' Barely a month has lapsed emce to production of the "Elijah" by the Society, and it speaks well for .Dr. Bradshaw's energy aid the enithusiaeltio support given him by the members that eo good a performance of the great work could- bo forthcoming last night. Last Christmas the Society presented it with the aid of the Male Voice Choir and the Cathedral choristers, whereas on this occasion t/hey relied oniirely ujktii their own forces. "Undoubtedly the Choir is now quite strong enough for independence; the tone volume within their means is ample for the space of the Choral Hall. The balance of-the voices is fair, though the tenors could well bear some added strength. Sopranos include yet son® voices who think more of force on top-notos than of production easy and grateful. _ A remarkable improvement was apparent in the sonorous tone of the altos; basses were satisfying in strength and quality. The precision in entries and time-keeping, the spirit and swing of the readings maintained the high standard of Dr. Bradshaw's work. In "the opening chorus, "And the Glory of the Lord," a fine brightness of tone was exhibited, very good, flowing technique in the florid paTts of "For Unto Ue o, Child is Born," and smart treatment of the fugal parts of "Glory '-o God in the Highest." A3 regards beauty ,of tone, "Behold the Lamb of God" hardly attained to Mist year's special excellence. "He is the King t<f Glory ' and the "Halldujah" Chorus were both of exhilarating power, and spirit; pathos and wellsustained tone distinguished "Since by Man Came Death" and "For as in Adam All T)ie," and the cfhoral work terminated effectively with "Worthy is the Lamb. l^ The cast of soloists proved superior to last year's array. -For the soprano Boli was secured Mrs Percy Rule, already favourably known here. - Her voice is lovely, especially in the higher Tange, but the broadening of "eea" and "ays" proves fl> disltarbin*r element. She sings well; now and then a little too impetuously for eufe attack. Clear phrasing and good delivery of the passagework in "Rejoice Greatly" stood highly to Iter credit. Ito sentiment underlying "Come Unto Him" and "I Know Thmt My Redeemer Liveth" was well and tastefully conceived. Mie R. P. Hall's mellow contralto voice hae lost something of its former carrying capacity; nevertheless ycm. were impressed by the earnest and feeling exposition of her parts, most of nil wilth reference to "He Shall Feed His Flock" and "He was Despised." In respect to ertistio voice-control, fine declamation and emotional, expression, the tenor eoloist, Mr Sydney, Butler, is to be highly commended. He eocoelled in vivid interpretation of the recitatives, find won golden opinions with the aria, "Every Valley," as he did by the robust contrast of "Thou Shalt Break Them." The quality of his yoioe is very For ft most meritorious peri form a nee of the bass soli we were indebted !to Dr. J. C. Fairman. To 'be sure, they I require a weightier, a deep bass voice. There is a man within reach who owns just such a voioe, and attendant qualifications, who, not willing, should even have been kidnapped and forced on the "movies" plan to sing them. But, barring the vocal equipment, the industrious, indefatigable doctor made by the spirit and swing of his singing in all the formidable trisfca cntnisied I to him a very conspicuous and gratifying | success. Very finely he contrasted "But j ' Who May Abide" with the following, "For; He ia Like a Refiner's Fire." Both "Why , Do the Nations so Furiously Rage?" and "Tha Trnmpat Shall Sound"—in which latter, by the way, the trumpeter, Mr H. Fox, was ac- j corded" the honour of a recall—were sung with compelling effect, and all fbo elaborate ; technical work with dash and unfailing accuracy. The orchestra, Mr W. E. SkcKon acting as leader, played most of the _ aocompanimenlts judiciously and with reticence—"Ho. Was Despised" excepted—and v, ith good tasto and delicacy of expression the Pastoral . Symphony. A word of praise is also duo to Mr H. T. Whittrngham, who acted very pleasingly as organist. The hall was crowded, as no doubt it will be to-morrow nisrht at the tecond production, also at the Choral Hall. Chorus, orchestra, and soloists shared equal aupTf>ciation, expressed in volleys of applause | through all the numbers of the oratorio. i