"THE GOLDEN LEGEND."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 229, 20 June 1908, Page 6

"THE GOLDEN LEGEND."

', v • , —: 7? — ■ PERFORMANCE BY THE 'WELLINGTON . .. MUSICAL UNION. ' \ Sir Arthur Sullivan's " Golden (Legend" occupies a' special. place in the library of classical cantata, and it was not in the least degree surprising to find the Town Hall well filled, last evening when this great jrork was performed by the Wellington Musical Union; under the baton of Mr. Robert Parker. The lato Sir Arthur : Sullivan was' a colorature composer of the first ordor, whose position among England's great creative writers bf music will soar higher and higher as the generations to come, finding the truo perspective, judgo him with his contemporaries. His genius found, space for noblo flight as a Writer of'songs, the melodic charm of which will preserve; them' in favour for a longer time than ono cares to traverse; his delightful faculty in the composition of the lighter opera knows no.compeer, ancient or modern; and in the sphere of church music his strong individuality in religious harmony: earnod him a high place. But it was in " Golden Legend " that lie roso in his musicianly might and .struck a masterly tone, undefined in its purity aiid strength; that elevated him above all his contemporaries, and gave the musical. world a classic in dramatic cantata that will live.

When any musical society, irrespective of the date of its establishment, undertakes this, work, .it sets itself no easy task, for "The Golden Legend,": grandly simple as it is in many passages, is sown with traps for tho unconscientious and careless,. however far back their acquaintance with the work is dated,.. ~On tho whole; tho'Wellington Musical Union are;to.be commended upon a very fair performance, tho strength of which was 'th'o solo work, and' tho weakness a certain patchinass in. tho. band, which is set an, onormous task. For a perfect orchestral performance of ! The Golden Legend" o first-class professional, orchestra is heeded, but as that is out of."tho question in Wellington' at tho prcsertt'ljime, thanks havo to be returned to who made so. croditablo an''attempt to overcomo the intricacies of Sullivan's colossal orchestration. The, work is highly dramatic throughout, -and carries an enthralling interest., that,.is only .partly existent in some of the oft-sung oratorios. Prince Henry lies sick urito death, and' it is given out that he can only bo cured by tho voluntary sacrifice of a young _ maiden's life. . While in this'condition ho is tempted by Lucifer with alcohol,, and pays the penalty, in the deprivation'of nis estates and position. An outcast, he finds shblter. in the cottage of one of- his vassals; whose, daughter Elsie'- is ; so much Unloved to compassion that she offers ..him her life. Together they journey to Salerno, meeting en route Lucifer disguised as a friar. ■Arrived at their destination,, Elsie resolves to die for her Prince, when the latter declines tho sacrifice, saying that lie, only, intended to test her constancy. . At this point Lucifer ap-pears;-and--draws Elsiointo a chamber, but the Prince, "shmmoniUg aid, breaks down the door, and rescuos tho girl, and for his noblo conduct the Prince becomes miraculously healed and marries tho girl. Tho honours of last, evening's performance go to Miss. Rosina Buckman as Elsie, a role which she sang with an artistic zeal and finish that -compelled admiration. Miss Buckman is a dramatic soprano who in compassing tho, music suffused a spirited warmth into the; characterisation that held the audience to.the interest of tho'story, whilst charming thorn with her vocal capacity. Her upper range - has a remarkable fiute-liko quality that maintains a good breadth without loss of tone right up to the top C, as was charmingly evidonced-in the solo, "The Night is Calm," which leads into the "Christe Eleison" solo and chorale. She was also successful in those pastoral interludes with the Prince in-Scene 111, where she sings "All Through Life are Wayside Inns." Mr.. E. J. Hill had the exacting part-of Princo Henry, and though often heard in better voice, he! got through creditably. Mr. John Prouso revelled in the Mephistophelian role of LUcifor, and though hardly so vocally forceful as a few years back, ho was .'entirely successful, and' gave a ringing interpretation of tho big solo beginning . "-Here am I, too, in the Pious-Band." In his intercourse with the Prince and Elsie his singing was dramatically convincing,- and after the seizure of Elsie his notes "It is too lato!" tolled like a knell through the story .chorus. Mr. Barber, who sang the role of Ursula (Elsie's mother'), has a fullytonod mezzo soprano voice, and rendered her music conscientiously but without the. fullest mead of sympathy. Sho pleased best in her solo, "Virgin who lovest the poor and lowly." Mr. F. Laycock (baritone) 3ang the lines of tho Forester satisfactorily. The chorus was nicely-balanc-ed, and,'save for a laggard lead in a ■ couplo of intricato' passages, sang faithfully and welL The beautiful chorale, " O, gladsome light," was a rich treat in placid harmony; and the chanting of. the pilgrims was impressive and tho "Christe Eleison" chifrus may bo singled out as especially praiseworthy efforts. Mr. Max Hoppe was the leader of the orchestra, Mr. Lawrence F. Watkins actcd as organist, and Mr. Manning pirated on tho cathedral bells, that were effectively used in the orchestra. The Union, intends to perform Gounod's "Faust" in July.