WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17749, 28 April 1923, Page 14

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS.

LAST NIGHT'S CONCERT. Afto completing a -very successful tour of the South Island, Mr Edward Branscombo's Westminster Glee Singers pay us, on the eve of their departure for Australia., a flying .farewell visit, into which, are to be crowded four performances. Of yesterday's two events, the matinee was attended by some 900 children. Their extensive repertoire at their disposal permits constant introductions of new programmes. For the evening concert it meant already the aiath change effected since their arrival. The ground scheme, originally adopted to produce variety, remains always the same. They dissolve themselves as before into groups, sing as *n ensemble body, and are lavisn witn uieir soli. Ihe boys always manage to command tne greatest lnteiem, nuUvuiuaUy as much as in the various combinations in whicn their servicte are requisitioned. Master £*laiund Waiter Bang tne ".Pipes of Tan," wherein his voic» sounded rather tired, but the "Serenade, by Uounod, was v«ry pietty in tone and execution. It was rather too severe an ordeal for Master Alfred tkioper to attempt Puroell's ''Nymphs and Shepherds"; much better suited him Arne's ''"Where the Bee Sucks," but in' all he does, he proves himself clover and the voice often very charming. In chorus they acquitted themselves best with Montague Phillip's "Wake Up, .and later on, in conjunction with the men, they distinguished themselves, especially in the "Carmen" selections. Mr John Andrews made a fine display of his voice and Bkillin Needham's "The Donovans" and Gounod's "Calf of Gold." "Come, Join in the Dance," by the full choir, excelled in toneproduction over Linley's Madrigal "Let Me, Carless and Unthoughtful." Very well done in action and spirit weTe the numerous male quartets, "Poor Thomas Day," in particular To Lambert's "She is Far from the Land" Mr Alfred Cunningham gave a very emotional interpretation, and his encore, "The Yeomen of England," is well known as one of his most effective numbers, ihe seotion of sacred music included the anthem "Give Ear unto my Prayer,' by the Flemish, master, Arcadelt, very beautiful in its simplicity; Sterndale Bennetts God is a Spirit," and the carol "Bethlehem" by Gounod, all very well -and expressively delivered with a preference in the execution above the others of Bennett's lovely work. The second part opened very auspiciously with the quartet "The Lovely Rose" not able for deiicaoy and fine grading. The old Irish air "Believe me, if all," brought Mr Ellis Vizard on the stage with choral support, and on reoa.ll he scored well with Edvf. German's Chloe." The ••Carmen" selection was excellently provide ed. "Hame," by Walford Davies, is a very attractive song that figured in Mr Donald Eeid's introductory number; the singer gave it with all his allurements, but the two voices proved too obtrusively antagxmisto. The '"Eosebud." remained as iHe choicest interpretation. Humorous quartets and the vocal waltz from Gounod's "Faust" ended a very delightful entertainment.

There will be a matinee this afternoon, commencing at 2.30. To-night's farewell programme will inohide the following:—Operatic excerpts from "Carmen," including "The Soldiers' Chorus" and ,; The Toreador." "The Bells of St. Michael's Tower," "The Barcarolle" from "Tales of Hoffman," Gounod's Serenade, "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms," "She is Far From the Land," "The Sand 3 o' Dee," "The Song of the Flea," "The Last Rose of Summer,". "The Bluebells of Scotland," "Cherry Ripe," "The Pipes of Pan," "Rosebud," Linden Lea," and A series of humorous trios and quartetes, etc. _ _ . . After visits to Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Lyttett-on, the company leaves for Wellington «n route for Australia.