The Dorian Singers

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31077, 4 June 1966, Page 16

The Dorian Singers

Devotees of fine choral music, especially of sacred music, are offered two concerts in Christchurch this week-end by a visiting choir, the Auckland Dorian Singers. As visiting choirs are a rarity in Christchurch, this is something of an occasion. Christchurch choirs have visited Auckland and now the choir of 60 of the Dorian Singers, established nearly 30 years ago, has, at the expense of its members, decided to return the compliment. Such a visit is a compliment to Christchurch, for the Dorian Singers have the reputation of being an exceedingly good choir with a repertoire deserving an audience with a developed musical appreciation. It would be misleading to suggest that the programmes in the Civic Theatre tonight and the Christchurch Cathedral tomorrow afternoon contain what is generally regarded as popular choral music. This will not displease those who seek new musical experiences or deter those who are eager to hear what are likely to be very good performances of new or rarely-heard compositions. There would be no point in a choir travelling so far to perform music which, however good, is commonplace. The choir is conducted by Mr Peter Godfrey, a musician whose work in Auckland has done much to shape the musical scene there. He is the conductor of the Auckland regional symphony orchestra which, like its counterpart in Christchurch, has become one of the cornerstones of orchestral development in the country. His reputation is perhaps even stronger as a choirmaster and choral conductor. Although the Dorian Singers are noted for their unaccompanied singing they will be accompanied this evening by the John Ritchie String Orchestra in an extended cantata by Handel, “ Dixit Dominus ”, a work of which very few persons in Christchurch will have heard a performance. This reciprocal gesture by Auckland singers invites a warm and appreciative welcome. The concerts have been arranged with the assistance of the Christchurch Civic Music Council.