"ISRAEL IN EGYPT."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 75, 21 December 1907, Page 6

"ISRAEL IN EGYPT."

FINE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

Tho glory of Handel's musical genius will never fudo—it roso steadily with tho years that have been and gone, until now, a hundred and forty-eight years after his death, his works stand on the highest pinnacle of oratorios, inspired with melodic grandiloquence, and profoundly imprcssivo in their comprehensive truth to tho composer's lofty ideals. Something of this must liavo beon borno in upon tho vast audieneo that listened to " Israel in Egypt," performed at the Town Hall last evening by tho Wellington Musical Union, which society and its conductor (Mr. Robert Parker) deserve commendation in no ordinary degree. To one prepared to listen with a perfectly open mind, to praiso or blamo where praise or blamo was merited, tho performance generally was excellent, and, chorally, a triumph. Tho oratorio is essentially one' for the chorus, and the Union succeeded in assembling- a choir that has seldom, or ever, beon bettered in Wellington. Tho body of tono sustained in tho fusillade of choruses —double choruses in many eases — was richly impressive, and they sang throughout with a confidence and vocal enthusiasm that was truly delightful. Even tho tenors — tho oft-blamed tenors — though ovorpowercd, as thoy usually are, with a great battery of basses, did very well; the sopranos were toned up to tho occasion,- and, with a good body ot contraltos, mado vocal sport of the Handelian intricacies that abound in 'many of tho fuguol double choruses. The'stamp of quality was apparont;in tho doublo cnorus, " Ho Spako" the Word," and in the famous " Hailstono" ohorus tho riot of governed sound was stirringly forceful. Tho dolorous tone-colour of tho number, " Ho Sent a Thick Darkness," received its proper omphasis, as did tho gentlo beauties of " But as for the Peoplo,". with its charming pastoral melody. . They sustained a fine balance of tono in " Thy Right Hand, O Lord " and " Tho Lord Shall Reign: for Ever and Ever,", and gave out with splendid ; effect tho concluding chorale, led by Mrs. F. P. Wilson, which callcd forth sustained applause.

, Tho soloists'in "Israel in Egypt" arc quito a secondary consideration, relieving " but rarely the; succession;of choral .sound-storms. Mr. JS. J. Hill sang the tenor music with his customary vigour, doing full justice to his one big solo, "The Enemy Said," which was declaimed with refreshing fire without any sacrifice of tone, and named for the singer hearty and prolonged applause. Mrs. A. Mitchell, the contralto, has a placid voice of even quality. She took liberties now and again in wording her. runs, which after all is an excusable lapse in a_ musical technicality. She was fairly, satisfactory in "Their Land Brought Forth Frogs", (the programme said "Fogs") and sang "Thou Shalt Bring Thorn In" very nicely. The lino duet, "Tho Lord is a Man of. AVar" was entrusted to Messrs. Ernest H. Parkcs and Harold Widdop, who are to be commended with moderation; '. Mr. Parkfes has a fine, ringing - baritone,' of rich quality—a voice that with study and opportunity is eminently fitted for: oratorio work. Mr. Widdop appeared to know his Handel, but his voice savoured slightly of what the French call "le voix blanc"—his quality is not what some may remember it to have beon.

The orchestra was not all that could" be desired. A fairly amplo body of strings and a good brass section were helped out by the big organ (capably handled by Mr! Lawronco F, Wat kins), which, howover, did not compensate for the absence of wood-winds, absent owing to tho pitch of the big instrument. Tho delicately-sweet resonance of the flutes, clarinets, and oboe was not compensated for in. the organ's representation of that department, but the choice had inevitably to bo made, and it could,' under tho circumstances, only bo made in the direction noted. Herr Hoppe made a'competent loader., Tho conducting of Mr. Parker was satisfactory, and to him chiofly thanks are duo for a' very fino pcrforniaiico of a deathless work. ' , AN APPRECIATION. Among those prevent at "Israel in Egypt" last evening was Mr. Henry Bracy, operatic manager for Mr. J. C. Williamson, arid himself a tenor, vocalist who, : in years gone by ; has many a time and oft lifted up his voice, in Handel's music.. Speaking of last evening's performance, lie informed The Dominion's critic that seldom, if ever, had he heard so fine a chorus in oratorio in Australasia. He was particularly impressed with the fine lot of sopranos and basses, who .produced such a healthy'body of tone. He missed tho while admiring tho aid given by. the fine city organ, .and hoped that local instrumentalists would - soon provide themselves with instruments that .wopld harmonise in pitch. In conclusion, lie said that the whole-souled energy that was thrown into tho great work was most creditable to the society and its conductor. \ .