"THE MESSIAH"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 74, 20 December 1917, Page 9

"THE MESSIAH"

WELLINGTON CHORAL UNION PERFORMANCE If ever there was a great work com' posed 111 tne spirit of the highest oxal tatitm,, that work is Handel's immorta Mesaah. It is almost incredible that Handol should liave composed anc orchestrated such a colossal monumoni of reverential music in the brief spacc of twenty-four days, and that in day." when speeding-up in anything conBBctcd with the arts smacked of chitrlatanism. It is simply overwhelming evidence of the mind of a great genius in.music in full play. "The Messiah" has stood the test of all time, and doubtless will be sung so long as Christianity and a love for all that is good and noble in music hold sway upon earth. It is an annual custom for the Wellington Choral Union to perform the oratorio, Last evening a, vorv large audience found pleasure in listening to the society's performance of the work at the Town Hall. 011 this occasion tne full orchestra was replaced by one cf strings, reinforced by the grand organ (played by Mr. Temple White). It is perhaps a pity that the wood and brass instruments so essential in the attainment of orchestral effects cannot be employed owing to the pitch of the organ, as the colour that the missing instruments give cannot really be supplied by the organ, which is, however, a valuable aid in giving dignity, weight, and nobility to the great chorales. For the reason stated the overture was not heard to advantage, and in the accompaniments those delicate graces lont by the wood winds were conspicuous by their absence. On the . whole the string orchestra did vory well indeed, and the innate refinement and sweetness of the "Pastoral Symphony" was ably reflected.'. Interest naturally centred in the principals, who in three instances were new aspirants for favour in "The Messiah' 1 as far as Wellington is concerned, although only one was a stranger. Tlie latter was the soprano, Madame Elsio Davies, at present of Molbourne, an artist of considerable jxpenenco, in an extended spnere ot voyal onuuavour. iUaaumo xiuviuk has a strong dramatic sopra.no, with a souiewnut pronounced viuraio, so «vDureU in tno Italian scnool 01 vocansni, in wnicn sue was trained, ner voice is not, pernaps, neurd to tne tuilest ;iuvautago w oratorio, and mere was noticoaoie a certain unevenncss -in strengui ot tone—a triuic or uuuiuisliuig iuu tone almost to mo lauuig (jouit in unexpected places, lier range is extensive, witn rion ringing nows 111 tne neau register tuat promise results in more uunu music tnan "Tne Aieasiau" oixers. . fciei' jnicrprotivu puDwrs wore neard to tne greatest auiugo in tno soios, 'tiow lieautuui aro tno Jbeot," and "i b.uow iliac my lieMumer iiiveth," wiiiist all iier recitauves were declaimed wun rare mioiugeuce. ■ 'i'ue artistic success 01 tiic L-vuiniig was unquestionamy acmeveu tiy juss Anna Caluow, ivnose sweet and uveu-toned continue is nicely attuneu to tnat air 01 devoutness tnat is so essential, to success in oratorio, iter singing of "Ho onull I'oed tus Flock" wuij extremely beauutul. > It was tjuite avident tuat. sUo leit tho lovely ailiitnw of tue words ana music, anu teoK [neasuro iu singing tueiu with all tne uniotional appeal tnat t,hoy convey. Again, in "rie was Despised," Aiisa Uaidow reflected with rare art 1110 poignant gnel' with which this surprisingly beauutul aria is impregnated. "U 'i'hou tnat lullest Good jumngs to Zioti" was also woll sung. The tenor was Air. iirneat Drake, whose light, sweet, yot strong-textured voice auu inherent rehuemout ot style ensured lor Inm a warm and well-deserved welcome, uir. iirase is conscientious 111 nis' work, and has considerable vocal technique at nis disposal, iie sang "(Join-: tort Ye" and "ilivery Valley'' , witl) ease and distinction. In "'lhy Itebuke Hath Broken Hie Heart," nis lower notes were weak, but he sang. tho air "but Thou Dids't not Leave liii Soul" with proper dignity and reserve, and put unexpected hre into tile air "Thou Shalt Break Them." "The Irumpet Shall Sound" was among the omitted numbers. Mr. Frank Charlton, who was entrusted with tho baritone arias pnd recitatives, could not do hirusolf full justice owing to an unfortunate cold, which detracted from the resonance of his Voice. Such solos as "Thus Saith the Lord" and the succeeding air, and the recitative "For, Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth," were carefully sung, but the dramatic "Refiner's Fire" anu the tempestuous "Why Do the Nations?" lacked vocal zest and ring, and the many reiterative runs were not .impeccably sung. Tho chorus was. ijuite good, particularly tho fresh, strong body 01 sopranos who met overy Jciuand made upon thein splendidly. It was inspiriting to hoar such graiu choruses "Glory to God" "Aud tin Glory of the Lord," "Worthy is the Lamb," ''Hallelujah," and those finely contrasted choruses in the third pai\ af tho oratorio. Little faults wero made, but they were few arid far twecu. On tlie whole, tho union and its veteran conductor (Mr. Robert Parker) aro \to be complim'onted on ye. mother succcssful "Messiah," sung it a time when the grand old prayei it embraces—wlien at least some of "the .Kings of the earth rise up,' and the rulers take counsel against tho Lord and his anoiuted"—must needs be answered. The work of Mr. Temple White whilo it the organ, and ,Mr. Harry Tombs as leader of the orchestra, was quite satisfactory. As usual, the concert was jpened with tho singing of Elgar's sotting of "God Save tho King," in which Madame Davies sang the solo.

Madame Davies, Miss Caldow, and Mr. Ernest Drake will give an especially attractive operatic and ballad concort in the Concert Chamber on Saturday evening.