ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20612, 30 July 1932, Page 10

ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY.

"CARACTACUS." The Royal Christchurch Musical Society will present the second concert of the season in the .Civic Theatre on Wednesday, August 10th, when the subscribers and the public • will be given an opportunity of hearing Sir Edward Elgar's cantata, "Caractacus." Of Sir Edward's many works, his cautata, apart from his "Dream of Gerontius," is recognised to be the most vigorous and glowing in colour, and achieves many line feats of distinctive expression that hold the listener from the opening bars of the orchestra till tlie fall of the curtain. "Caractacus" is a full night's programme, occupying about 2J hours in its various solo and chorus work, depicting the fortitude of the King of the Britons in his endeavour to defeat the Roman invasion of England in the year 51 A.D. For some years prior to the event related, Caractacus had been harassing the Romans, until he met defeat on the Thames and in Essex, whence he moved to the south of Wales and reformed his armies. At this timo _ the Roman Emperor Claudius sent Oatorius to command his armies in England, and in a battle near the south of Wales he defeated Caractacus and took him captive to Rome for trial before the Emperor Claudius. The Emperor was _so greatly impressed by the dauntless bearing and language of the Briton that pardon was granted Caractacus and his captive party. According to tradition. Caractacus died_ in Rome about 54 A.D. Tho following aTtists have been specially engaged for the solo work:—Madame Cara Tait (Timaru). "Eigen"; Mr Harold Prescott (Greymouth), "Orbin"; Mr Thomas Williams (Christchurch), "Arpli Druid"; and Mr Wilfred Kershaw (Dunedin), "Caractacns."