"JUDAS MACCABAEUS."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 276, 14 August 1908, Page 6

"JUDAS MACCABAEUS."

WELLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY. REAPPEARANCE OF MR. CHARIE3 SATJNDERS. The revival, by tlio Wellington Choral Societ.v, of Handel's 'dramatic oratorio " Judas Maccabaeus" at tho Town Hall last evening served most appropriately, to reintroduce tho eminent English tenor, Mr. Charles Saunders, who, with Mrs. Saunders (better known as' Miss Clara Robson, a contralto of English repute) is at present touring tha Dominion, after aii abscnce, from New Zealand, of fourteen years.

Mr. Saunders appeared before the Wellington public last evening under the happiest auspices. He was associated with a well-trained choir, supported by a' capable orchestra, tho oratorio 11 Judas Maccabaeus" was his special favourite, and lio was in capital form. All these circumstances com. billed to produce a performance which was. on tho whole, of unusual excellence, and both Mr. Saunders and Mr. Mai-ghan Harnett, tho Society's conductor, aro to be congratulated upon having achieved something in tlio nature of a triumph. e wrote tho oratorio under notice n 1746. Ho commenced .to writo it on July 9 ot that year, and finally completed it on August 11—32 days. It is understood that the production of "Judas Maccabaeus" was the outcomo of a suggestion by the then 1 rinco ot Wales, who "desired that the leturil of his brother, the Duke .of Cumberland, from Cullodcn, in April of that year, should be fittingly celebrated. The libretto which was written by Dr. Morrell, was dedicated to the Prince. The oratorio is oiio of ■ tlio most popular of Handel's works, rivalling in public favour his " Samson. ■ As has already been said, the performance last evening was, 011 tlio wholo, most successful. Tlio orchestra, capably led byHerr Max Hoppe, was, almost right through, under perfect control, and the chorus, though not large, was admirably balanced, and knew its work. Tlio attack was good, and tha excellent discipline which had been instilled by tho conductor (Mr. Barnett) was amply demonstrated by the evidence of perfect accord with ,and instant response to the baton. Of the choruses, undoubtedly tho most suecessfillly siing were tho dramatic lament, "Mourn, Ye AfFlictqd," which follows tha overture; the. magnificent "Hear Us, 0 Lord," which complotes tho first part of tha oratorio j tho fine defiant outburst, "Wa never will bow down," and the well-known, "See tho Conquering Hero Comes," which greets tlio triumphant Judas on his roturn from victorious war, this last being a really fine effort, arid a most popular one. • Of -tho solo work, tho outstanding feature was, as might have been expected, the sing--ing of Mr. Saunders, whoso reputation as tho greatest Handelian tenor of tho English musical world of to-day, does not seem to be an exaggerated estimate of his abilities, if ouo is to judgo by his singing of tho dramatic aria, "Sound an alarm." He possesses a robust tenor voice of remarkable power and range, of great awootuoss and purity in tone, and his singing method is agreeably free from tho graces and mannerisms of less able, but more pretentious, singers. His voice is under perfect control, and from its most distinguishing characteristic, a clear .ringing tone, it is easy to understand that tho declamatory recitatives and arias of tho great Handelian oratarios have in him a perfect exponent. "Sound an Alarm" was tne supremo effort of tho evening. Tho opening bar, unaccompanied, fang out clcar, vibrant, strikingly expressivo of tho_ note of alarm, and the spirited aria with its dramatic accompaniment was sung with fiery declaim tion. Tho' second phase of the aria which gives the singer the widest scope for the full display, of his powers was a veritablo triumph for Mr. Saunders, who was rewarded by a perfect, .s.torm,,of applause. . Tho last part of tlio'-aria' was then "graciously repeated. Not Jess .successful ..was.his effort in the recitdtva""'Tis Well, My : Friidnds," with' 1 its accompanying aria "Call Forth Thy Powers"; tho recitatives "So Will'd My Father," and " Haste Thee, My Brethren." Tho recitativo " Thanks to My Brethren," with tho aria "How Vain is Man" was a splendid effort, and was loudly applauded. Tho other principals' woro Mrs. A. GowerBurns (soprano), Miss Clara Robson (contralto), and Mr. John Prouso_ (baritone).' Mrs. Gower-Bums was rather disappointing. Her voice is hardly of the quality which 0110 usually associates with oratorio work, and this without disparagement of tho singer's capacity to excel in a less, exacting class of music. She was obviously nervous, and on at least two occasions, once in "So shall tho Luto and Harp," and again in her duct with Miss Robson, "Hail, Judea," came perilously near disaster. Her best efforts wera "Wise Men,- Flatt'ring," and "So Shall tha Luto," the latter being very well sung, despite a little, slip, where .the wrong note was attacked in the bar following two bars in. strumental about tbo middle of the aria. Mrs. Gower-Burns's most serious shortcoming in oratorio music is her inability to get in touch with tho atmosphere of tlio work. Hpr singing of the fine aria "Come, over-smiling Liberty," was too inanimate. Her enunciation, further, is not free from reproach. Miss Clara Robson has a rich contralto voico of-expressive, though slightly uneven, quality, admirably controlled and judiciously used. Sho was very successful 111 tne aria "Father of Heaven" and recitative "From Capharsalama," tlio former being particularly well sung. Miss Robson was also associated with Mrs. Gower-Burris in tho ducts " Hail Judea " and "0 Lovely Peace." The simple beauty of tho latter was spout by a very obvious contrast in tlio "trill" adopted by tho singers in the adagio winch concludes the duet. . . j : • Mr.' John Prouso was in very good voice, and sang with oxcollont effect the stirring " Arm 1 Atm! Ye Brave 1' ",lho Lord \\orkcth Wonders," and Rejoice, 0 Judali! with their introductory recitatives. Tho nrstmontionod suffered from a slight disagreemcnt botween tho singer and the orchestra as to the tempo of the aria. His singing of "Tho Lord Worketh Wonders" was very fino indeed, and was heartily applauded. ■It is to bo regretted that tho audience was not so largo as it might have been. Tha concert was woll worthy of the fullest support, and it is to be hoped that the attendanco at the production this evening of Rossini's " Stabat Mater," a very fine work will bo inoro proportionate to the merit ot the occasion. Miss Clara Robson was tho recipient of a handsome floral tribute on bowing her acknowledgements after tho singing of " Father of Heaven." , . Mr. Horace Hunt, Mus. Bac., presided £.t tho concert-organ.