ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17938, 5 December 1923, Page 10

ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY.

STANFORD'S "REVENGE." The piece chosen for the third concert of the Royal Clnistchurcli Musical Society last night in the Choral Hall was Stanford's cantata "Revenge," which has not been sung in ChristcUurch for many years—more pity, because it is a really remarkable musical picture of one 01 the greatest de«da in British history, a deed which stands forth as prominently as a meteor 011 a moonless night. Sir Richard Granville, when ho engaged the Spanish fleet of fiity-thrca huge ships, heavily armed with the cunnon of that period, single-handed, with Ids little vessel containing 190 men, of whom ninety kcw incapacitated below deck, undertook what was an impossible task, and paid the penalty of his reciUrss bravery, but by so doing he accomplished one of those glorious laiturea which arc treasured by tho race beioro many oi its victories, and no gave an example «i courage v, iutii win piouaoiy never 00 excelled so long as men yo ujwii to tiiu sea in snips! Xiiui unparaile.ed teat 'of arujfl una been luimorluiisea uy -i.Ui.tl, i-ova Xcnn>syn, 111 the cantala wmcn wua sung uv last uiguta concert, and the music 01 otamord is in every paiucuiar worthy ol the poet 8 clfort. The cantata, opens quietly, as is approptiatu to the coacripuon oi .Lord Thomas riowaid'a fleet of eix ships of the line at Fiorts, in tll« Azores. It changes to a more spirited measure with tlie announcement that tilly-tlir-iO Spanish ships of war have been sighted, as it does throughout Vie piece in accordance with tho scenes depicted. At times, crashing tones aio introduced to represent the din ot tho one-sided battle, and again, as some other phase is described, other ettocts the whole cantata being a classic examplq, of a ballad of the fleet.

It would not bo strictly in accordance with the truth to say that last night's performance was without fault. It contained more than one, but none of them was really serious, and it can be stated that the spirit of the cantata was well realised by the conductor, Mr Sydney Butler, L.R.A.M., and interpreted satisfactorily by tho Sacioty. The note of triumph which characterises tho latter part of the final vcrw ,waa, however, marred to some extent by the uncertainty with which the last lines, descriptive of the sinking of the gallant vessel to licr doom, were.sung. Mr Butler and the Scciety.aw to be congratulated upon having given their subscriber and the public tho opportunity of hearing this creditably-performed luid too-sel-dom-heard cantata. Mention must be made of the valuable, assistance given by tho Christchurch Musical Society's Orchestra, whose difficult tusk was performed in a pleasing manner, and was appreciated by the audience. 1 The Society also sang a cycle of old English melodies entitled "Flora's Holiday," by H. Lane-Wilson, a bright collection of quartets and a round, interspersed with solos for soprano, contralto, tenor and baritone, sung respectively by Madame Gower Burns, Miss Marion Woodhouse, Mr H. Prcscott, and Mr Chas. Clarkson. The two ladies wore each the recipient of ft bouquet of flowers from admirers of-their vocal «2arls,and tba gentlemen were also favourably received. Mc Clarkson's singing of "Sound Argument," a burlesque on the state of being happy, was a bright interlude, in which he infused some clever facial expressions. An orchestral overture from Cavalierly Rusticana" (Mascagni) waa pl,ayed by the Orchestral Society, who brought out its melodious qualities with good effect. Mr Angus G'unter, a violinist of more than ordinary- concert ability, played two solos in. a ' true musicianly manner. His _ first number was D. Nordini!s Concerto in Minor, • and hia second (0) Air (C. Gold: mark); (b) Nocturne (J; Flubay); (o)Lacndler (E. Straesser). Re is able to produce a full, round, rich tone from . his instrument, and, discriminatingly avoiding numbers of a ''flashy" character, he accordingly shows a preference for the more thoughtful type of composition, to hear him play which is a real, delights . .. ; • Madame Gower Burns was, as uenal, in good voice, and sang the scena and an® from "Herodiaa"—He is Good; He is Kind—• (Massenet), with a due tregard for its-eao-red nature. She was enthusiastically encored.. '

Mr Sydney Butler's singing of - "Hoete Ye Shepherds,", from G. S. Bach's Christmas: Oratorio, waa. one cl concert, and he <■. was rewarded with prolonged applause. . % Mrs J. E. Russell made an efficient accompaniste. Owing to the encores demanded in the song cycle, it became necessary, to the regret or the audience:, to omit a solo which, was to have been eung 'by Mr Clarkeon" The concert will be. repeated ,on Friday night. ■ • . ,