ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1265, 21 October 1911, Page 10

ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY.

"RUTH." Frederick 11. Cowen has given the, world music which will live, ami in the history of English music during the last century his name must occupy a very high place indeed. Conceding that his methods are conventional, he has never failed to clothe them beautifully with a wealth of imaginative colouring, and melodies which are in delight!ul accord with the theme under treatment. Take "ltuth" for example, which tho ltoyal Choral Society performed before a largo audience at the Town llall last evening. It so teems with delightful suggestion in its orchestral getting, and streams with line (lowing melodies and massed choral effects, embodying tho exotic colour of the East, that one id tempted to express regret that the composer's taste did not run to grand opera, as did Saint-Saens in his "Samson and Delilah," and more recently Strauss in his "Salome." After hearing "Ruth" last evening it will not be a matter of surprise, if tho local choral societies do not turn their attention to the works of Co won. "The Rose Maiden." "Tho Transfiguration," and "St. John's Eve" nre works the musical public would assuredly welcome, and their performance would bring lovers of music into closer relationship with a composer whose works are well worth while. Tho Royal Choral Society is to be congratulated on the very creditable performance of last evening. Chorally there was little left to desire. Sir. Maughan Barnett. in his strenuous enthusiasm to justify tho honour so recently dono his society by his Majesty the King, has succeeded in building up a choir which would command rrspcot in any centre. Save for slow attack in two or three instances, it covered it'elf with honour. Numbers do not always count, but in this case there is good resonant quality in at least three sections, tho contralto division being tho least satisfactory. What was especially pleasing to note was tho strength and quality of tho tenors, who acquitted themselves admirably throughout. 'The choir was notably good in the choruses, "Our Eyes Shall See Jerusalem," "Blessed Shalt Thou Be," "God Help Us," "Fear Not, 0 Land," and tho very beautiful finale of Part I,- "Tho Fig Tree and the Vine." Another oliorus of much charm was that sung to tho accompaniment of the de-licntely-orchestratc-d dance in Part 11, and the singing of "We Will Praise Thee, 0 Lord," and "The Lord ITath Done Great Tilings For Us" was notably good. The work of the orchestra, led by Mr. L. Logan was fairly satisfactory. Unsteady patches indicated a lack of rehearsal, 'Twas over thus. Tho principals fell short of tho standaid set by the choir. Mrs. Gower Burns, who sang the name part, sang with the intelligence bred of long experience in oratorio, and rose on occasions to the demands of the role, notably in the fino duct with I!nass ill the second part, where she lost the metallic edge that marred her singing earlier in the performance. Mr. Sydney Butler, who sang Boaz, is high baritone rather than tenor in quality, lie appeared to lie. dight.ly overweighted, and his careful work, marked by refreshingly clear enunciation, would have been more distinguished had he realised the histrionic side of the character. Miss Nellie Castles, who, it will be remembered, made her debut in "The Dream of Gerontius" earlier this year, has a serviceable mezzo voice, but gave little indication that she has studied interpretation. Her Naomi was quite colourless, yet tho opportunities to make the part exactly tlio reverse wsra plentiful enough. Miss Gladys Watkins sang the few lines given to Orpah sweetly. Mr. C. H. Clark-son sang the music dedicated to "An Elder" and "A Reaper" robustly. As a prelude to the performance the choir sang Elgnr's setting of "Gnd Savo the King" most creditably. To Mr. Maughan Harnett's able conducting much of the credit of the performance was due. The audience included his Excellency tho Governor and a party from Government Ilouse.