Chorus tuning up for R. and H.

Press, 15 July 1987, Page 23

Chorus tuning up for R. and H.

The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra will add a chorus to its musical line-up for its July 30 presentation of Rodgers and Kammerstein music. A chorus is a first for the orchestra and will again be used next year for its lighter musical presentations. The musical co-ordina-tor, lola Shelley, said the chorus of trained voices has rehearsed twice for the Rodgers and Kammerstein performance. It will sing choral numbers such as "I Whistle a

Happy Tune” from “The King and I” and “There’s Nothin’ Like a Dame” from “South Pacific” and will accompany the soloists in a number of famous songs. “Out of My Dreams” from “Oklahoma” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel” are R. and H. classics. The chorus comprises students recommended by Christchurch singing teachers, members of the “Carmen” chorus and singers with an interest in show music. Mrs Shelley said the

attraction is singing with the orchestra and in the Christchurch Town Hall. “Very little is provided here in concert work for show music,” she said. “The Rodgers and Kammerstein presentation will be one occasion. A series of lighter concerts is planned for 1988.” The musical package comes from the Rodgers and Kammerstein Concert Library in New York and has been arranged by Robert Russell Bennett. The C.S.O. presentation is confined to the five most popular R. and H. shows with a couple of

songs from “State Fair,” the 1945 film for which the pair provided a musical score. One of the most memorable “State Fair” numbers is “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.” The five most popular shows are "Oklahoma,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I” and “The Sound of Music.” While the focus is on the songs people remember the orchestra will also play some of Richard Rodgers’ orchestral music: the “Carousel

Waltz” and an extract of R. and H. show melodies. Many reasons are given for the success of the Rodgers and Hammerstein partnership. Their shows reflected the feeling of the time. They were both well established when they came together in 1943 having had lengthy collaborations with other composers and writers. Yet, as Rodgers writes, something special happened when they met. “What happened between Oscar and me was almost chemical. Put the right components together

and an explosion takes place. “Oscar and I hit it off from the day we started discussing the show (‘Oklahoma’).” The July 30 tribute to these men, their music and lyrics, will be conducted by William Southgate with Christchurch soloists Diane Low and Barbara Walton and New Zealand’s leading tenor and baritone, Anthony Benfell and Roger Creagh. The concert is sponsored by UDC Finance Ltd.