ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20308, 6 August 1931, Page 7

ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY.

MENDELSSOHN'S "ELIJAH." A HIGHLY LAUDABLE PERI?DRto T CE; It is not to decide who ,are the greater sinners in slowly but surely, relegating to fiomparative obscurity the once so popular bratofid in the toncert rooms, the singers or the; listeners. No doubt both sides bear their share' in favour of replftcings, with the cantata .and- the skeleton opera. Among the few great oratorios k&spiiig jet alive, the much maligned "Elijah" lioldß, alongside the ''Messiah," a proud position, and not without reason. Its beauty cannot be disputed, it is of moderate length and rises during its course repeatedly to a. dramatic intensity, much above the majority of its kind; To; soloists and chorus are given rewarding parts and the orchestra is sympathetically employed. Mendelssohn was indeed in close touch with the English people and likes and dislikes, admitted as he was* to the friendship, hightened by admiration even of Queen Victoria. Not in oratorio only are English-. influence. arid British skies perceptible in his works. It may therefore be well assumed that the "ElijSh," presented by the Royal Chrißtchurch Musical Soeiety last night, was a labour of love, cheerfully worked for by all concerned.

The first warm is due to Mr W. H. Dixon, the conductor of the Society, who held under his sway a large chorus in which the men seemed to take part in larger numbers-than beifore. Mr Dixon conceals under his amiable manners a firm grip and- compelling influence that pervade the whole performance with results, most satlsfac-; tOry in tone-production and familiaritywith the words and music. The orchestra, greatly improved by. the fringe of professional players, headed by.Mrs F, B. Bate, kept under better restraint for the most part, and sometimes gave rtiilly artistic support to the singers. The predominant soloist of the oratorio is, of course, the Prophet, whose part was sung by Mr Charles Clark* son. He has not been heard for some years and seems now better to control the smoothness of his delivery, at least in the' arias, the voice sounding rich and of steady power, -In some recitatives the explosive phrases are still too numerous. ;The solos allotted to Madame Winnie Fraser arc riot large, but of great beauty, enabling her : to bring' all the fineness, power, and skill of her voice into action, of which ,6he is so eminently capable. Very pleasantly was the alto in evidence, undertaken by Miss C. Freeman Brown. Similarly Mr C. K. Williams filled the tenor partß feelingly, sweetest,. and best of all from the words: "Arise and Hasten for your life" to the end of'"the sentence. Master Grahame Lilly's voice was not in the best condition for weather reports. .. The whole performance was eminently to the credit of the members and their able leader.