SOUTH BRIGHTON CHORAL SOCIETY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28921, 15 June 1959, Page 13

SOUTH BRIGHTON CHORAL SOCIETY

“Merrie England” Presented

That Edward German’s music still has power to appeal to audiences. at least when it is presented with enthusiasm and care, was demonstrated on Saturday night, when “Merrie England” was sung in the University Hall by the South Brighton Choral Society. The John Ritchie String Orchestra, augmented for the occasion, accompanied the performance. which was most ably directed by Victor Ellena. The choir is a well-balanced group, and its tone is enriched by a robust male section. As the result of its keenness and careful hard training, it was in excellent form. It sang with fine confidence, and cohesion, alert response to the conductor, and crisp attack. The clarityi of its diction calls for special ‘ praise. On a very few occasions the tone was forced, and the climaxes taken too early and strongly for them to be carried through to the end. but these were small weaknesses in such a good concert.

The singers were fortunate in having such a reliable accompaniment. It is distressing to recall how long Christchurch audiences have borne with indifferent and sometimes bad orchestral work, and how many good choral efforts have been spoiled by uncertainly and unsteadiness in their accompaniments. and by the tension which these induce in singer and audience. The position has been improving over recent years, and the playing of the John Ritchie Orchestra on Saturday night suggests that we can now look forward to much better things. As soon as the concert got under wav. it was clear that choir, orchestra. and conductor had proper confidence in each other, and the audience could settle to enjoy the evening in a mood of relaxed expectancy.

“Merrie England” is not an easy work to do. In its full operatic form it is very long. In the shortened concert form, without the help of scenery and acting, the plot is obscure and its treatment unconvincing. The burden of presenting the plot and characters falls all the more heavily on the soloists. The roles of Bessie, sung by Anita Ritchie. Raleigh, sung by Edmund Bohan, and Essex, sung by Winston Sharp, are the most straightforward. and were attractively sung. Elizabeth McCombs had a harder task singing two roles Jill, and Queen Elizabeth, and she made commendable efforts to differentiate between them. The wo»’k contains several well-known and popular solos, and these were well-received.

This is probably the choir's most ambitious undertaking to date, and its successful outcome reflects great credit on all concerned, the conductor, singers, and accompanist. Mrs Elaine Patterson. The success of this concert should fill all of them with satisfaction, and encourage them to greater efforts. They have proved their technical skill: they could now go on to works of greater musical content.