ORPHEUS CHOIR

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25638, 29 October 1948, Page 2

ORPHEUS CHOIR

ANNUAL “AT HOME ” The lounge at the Mayfair was crowded last evening when the Orpheus Choir of 30 members, conducted by Mr F. C. Penfold, entertained their friends at a most enjoyable “At Home.” This annual social gathering is one of the musical events of the year, which is always anticipated with pleasure. The guests last evening were welcomed by the chairman of the committee (Mr Tonks). The varied programme opened with the singing by the choir of “The Beleaguered” and “O. Peaceful Night." “To Thee, O Lord” (Rachmaninoff) was beautifully sung and had to be repeated. A request number was “Qui Vive in the Dawn,” and a popular group included “The Dashing White Sergeant” (unaccompanied) and “Christopher Robin is Saying His Prayers.” Members of the choir, who are responsive to every movement of their conductor’s hanSft enjoyed as much as the audience their singing of “In These Delightful Pleasant Groves” and “In Going to My Lonely Bed.” Other items- Averg Brahms' -“In- Silent Night,” a Russian song, ‘Tchaikowski’s “The Nightingale” and a bracket of three that completed the programme—“Weary Wind of the West” (Elgar), Cecil Sharp's ‘‘The Isle.” and the lively “The Cruiskeen Lawn.” Members of the choir who sang solos were Alice’ Chapman, whose numbers were “The Nightingale” (Ward Stevens) and an Italian song, Robert Allison, who sang “The Devout Lover” and the rousing “Hiker’s Song,” and Grace Torkington who sang “Poor Wandering One” and “The Sun, Whose Rays are all Ablaze.” Pleasing variety was introduced by Marjorie Robertson and Joan Mercer who played two piano duets, and humour was provided by Miss Frona King, who received an ovation for her elocutionary items. Miss Robertson and Mrs H. Reeve were the accompanists.