Choir And Orchestra To Present Colourful Work

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 22

Choir And Orchestra To Present Colourful Work

"When the orchestra and the Christchurch Harmonic Society present *The Nun’s-Prtest’s Tale’ by Gordon Jacobs, as the second part of the concept in Christchurch next Tuesday, it will be the first New Zealand performance of this work and its second performance anywhere in the world,” said Mr John Hopkins, conductor of the National Orchestra, in an interview yesterday. “This work is not only choral but it should have great appeal because of the colour and interest in the orchrestral part,” he said. “The words are Neville Coghill s modem adaptation of Chaucer’s witty poem from the ‘Canterbury Tales.’ It is most colourful in its description of the cock Chanticleer and his hens. It tells of his dream and of its realisation.

“It is the old story of the vain Cock and the sly Fox who flatters him into closing his eyes as he sings and bears him off. Fortunately the Cock tricks the Fox and escapes, a sadder and wiser bird. Chanticleer the Cock has seven wives, of whom the most beautiful is Pertelote. As he dreams of his fate he grodns aloud • and Pertelote learns of his fears. She suspects he has a bilious attack and prescribes for it This rouses Chanticleer to blind her with medieval science, proving to his own satisfaction that he is about to be martyred and so raising his morale sufficiently to forget his troubles. What began as a fable becomes • an extravaganza on a not uncommon domestic interlude.

“Gordon Jacobs interprets this subtle tale dramatically in the modem idiom, without soloists and

with brilliant orchestral and vocal effects.

“This concert is not entirely choral,” Mr Hopkins said. “The first part includes three very attractive orchestral works. These are the gay and vivacious over-

ture to Wolf-Ferrari’s opera ‘Suzanna’s Secret,’ the scherzo from the octette which Mendelssohn orchestrated for use in his First Symphony, and the symphonic poem, ‘The Moldau,’ by Smetana. This work, which describes the Czech river of the name as it flows from the mountains through the plains and cities

to the sea, is always a great favourite. It was chosen as the main orchestral work in the concert given in Wellington by the National Orchestra in February for the Queen Mother.” Orchestra’s Members There had been few changes in the ranks of the National Orchestra, Mr Hopkins said. It was difficult to find replacements in New Zealand for those lost to the orchestra. There was no conservatorium here to provide a training ground for orchestra players. Mr Hopkins said he hoped to maintain the ranks from New Zealand where possible.