Cathedral concert

Press, 15 July 1980, Page 19

Cathedral concert

Works by Bononcini and Britten figure in a concert next Sunday afternoon in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. The “Stabat Mater” text, depicting Mary’s suffering at the foot of the 'Cross has been set by nuImerous composers, but as far as is known the setting by Bononcini, an Italian contemporary of ■Handel, has not previously “been heard in Christ’Church. The performance will be given by soloists .Patricia Middleton (soprano.) Judy Bellingham (contralto-, Franz Kney (tenor) and Martin Thomas (bass), with the University Singers and the University Chamber Orchestra (leader, Chloe Moon) directed by Heath Lees.

’ The singers, orchestra •and the full University Choir will then combine in a performance of Britten’s cantata “Saint Nicolas,” conducted by Martin Setchell. Nicolas was Bishop of Myra during the fourth century. He is . honoured as the patron saint of sailors and children, the titular of many churches and the original “Father Christmas.” The work combines a number of legends about him into an "interesting picture of his •life. Franz Kney (tenor), will sing the important •solo role. The work also calls for

a gallery choir of female voices, piano duet, organ, strings and percussion. The audience congregation take an integral part in the drama in the singing of two well-known hymns, “All people taht on earth do dwell” and “God moves in a mysterious way.” - Renaissance music Madrigals and partsongs will be sung and instrumental consorts played at a week-end school on Renaissance music to be run by the Early Music Society at the Elmwood School on August 1,2 and 3. Robert Oliver, a freelance musician of Wellington, who has trained as a tenor and a Viol player, will be the tutor. Details may be obtained by telephoning 384-555.

Musical journey

“Come Fly with Me,” a show to be presented at Haisweil by the Halswell Drama Group ’over the next two Fridays and Saturdays is a musical journey from France, through Russia, Germany, Hawaii, Egypt, Latin America and the United States. The show promises lots of songs to listen to and to sing along with, dancing girls and plenty of comedy along the way. Mechanical music

A two-Georgian musical box dating from 1820 will be one of the oldest instruments to be demonstrated by Alan Robb at a short programme of mechanical music at the School of Music, University of Canterbury, at lunch-time on Thursday; Another interesting item is a Nicole Freres pianoforte box made in 1853.

Musical boxes were popular in the later part of last century, especially after the development of interchangeable discs in 1885; but the invention of the Edison phonograph sent the musical box industry into decline. Barrel organs predated musical boxes- but it was only the development of pneumatically - operated paper roll organs last century that they could play unlimited numbers of tunes .of varying lengths.