WELLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 306, 19 September 1908, Page 6

WELLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY.

If Mr. Charles Saunders had not been a great tenor singer, ho would undoubtedly have made his mark in any other sphere where the essential to successful enterprise is a knowledge of tho public, for he knows tho British public; no man better. It is this knowledge which is'the secret of not a littlo of his success on tho concert platform; which enables him to feel the musical pulse of whatever community he happens to visit, diagnose its taste, and so prescribe for its delectation a selection of music that not only furnishes him with an opportunity to display to the fullest advantage his lino tenor voice and versatile powers of interpretation, but also to give his audience exactly what they want. The public will listen with considerable awe to an elaborate 1 classic in music, and applaud a singer's ability to perform marvellous feats in vocal technique,' but it will only imperfectly' grasp tho motif of the piece. When, however, a great artist takes a simple ballad, and in his interpretation reveals, hitherto unrealised, unsuspected beauty of thought and expression in tho words and music, the public has no difficulty, in appraising such work at its true value. And this is_ exactly what Mr. Saunders succeeded in doing with a large audience at the Wellington Choral Society's concert at,the Town Hall last evening, flo sang that ever welcome i song, "Come into tho Garden, Maud" (Bailie), as probably no Wellington audience has ever heard it sung before, and when his listeners demanded more, gave them ■'Annie Laurio"; in "One-and-Twenty" (Fraser) —he not only sang, delightfully, a charming littlo ballad, but also expounded a little philosophy. In all theso Mr. Saunders showed that he was a great artist. In "Tho Message" (Blumenthal), the singer dipped into moro classic literature, with equal success. Then he turned aside to light opera, and scored a triumph with Sullivan's "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes" ("Gondoliors"). Those who were fortunate enough to hear Mr. Saunders in "Judas Maccabaeus" recently will, of course, remember ■ his magnificent effort in the fiery and-declamatory "Sound an Alarm" (Handel). Last evening he repeated this fine number, and his dramatic singing evoked a prolonged burst of applause. Tho last part, in responso to repeated recalls, was sung again. Miss Clara Robson (Mrs. Charles Saunders) sang Pinsuti's "The Arrow and the Song," !'There's a Land of Roses" (Teresa del Riego)—an encore number, "Auld Robin Gra.v," the "Shepherd's Cradle Song" (Somerville), and, with Mr. Saunders, tho Balfo duet "Tho Sailor Sighs, as Sinks his Nativo Shore"; her tasteful singing was much admired. Mr. John Prouse's contributions to tho programme were Schubert's "Erl King" song and "The Harbour Bay" (P. L. Moir), which was encored. His singing of "The Harbour Bay" was excellent. Mr. Prouse was also associated with Mr. Saunders in a duet, "The Fishermen" (Gabussi), which was pleasingly sung, and repeated. Mr. Maughan Barnett (at tho organ) played Bach's "Toccata in F," and the fine overture to Rossini's "William Toll." The latter was a popular number, and in response to a recall, the organist added a delicate littlo improvisation. The choir contributed three enjoyable part songs—a madrigal (Barnett), "Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby" (nn encore number, arid the charming glee "Tell mo, Flora" (Pinsuti). Tho accompanists were Miss Prouse, Mr. Barnett, and Mr. Horace Hunt. A further opportunity of hearing Mr. and Mrs. Charles Saunders will be afforded musiclovers to-night, when a final popular concert at popular prices will bo given in the Town Hall by tho Choral Society. In accordance with requests ma do in our columns, Mr. Saunders will repeat Kent Sutton's scena "Lucifer's Soliloquy," with which he scored so heavily on Wednesday night, and will bo assisted, as on tho previous occasion, with violin, organ, and pianoforte accompaniment. Another number by Mr. Saunders will bo tho celobra.ted Handolian air," "Tho Enemy Said," which ho sang so successfully beforo tho hugo Handel Festival audiences at the Crystal Palace in 1903 and IHOG. He will also sing Gounod's fine song, "Lend Me Your Aid," from "Ireno," and "Tho Macgregors' Gathering," and two duets with Miss Clara, Robson, "Homo to Our Mountains" and "Good Night." Miss Robson will sing "Tho Banks of Allan Water" and Tosti's "Good-bye," Miss Mina Caldow and Mr. John Prouse, Hcrr Max Hoppo, Miss Beatrice Richmond, Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, and Mr. Horaco Hunt will also assist.