"THE MESSIAH"

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 151, 23 December 1918, Page 3

"THE MESSIAH"

CHORAL UNION PERFORMANCE.

Complete success has not always characterised past performances by the Choral "Union; but that of, "The Messiah" on Saturday night was a notable exception. Of course, everyone is supposed to be familial- with this great- work—still great, maugre those superior persons who find oratorio a bore. True, Handel was not English by birth, but it is quite pardonable to describe "The Messiah" as an English work. Why it was first performed in Dublin, and there received its hall-mark,, people acquainted with the history of music will know very well. This masterpiece of Handel's is in several respects illustrative of the English character; and, besides, what appeals to the English character, too, is that to hear it partakes of the nature of a religious service. In music it occupies much the same place as Shakespeare works do in literature. A Christmas without a performance of "The Messiah" does not quite.seem like Christmas for a very large number of English people and their descendants overseas. To hear it is looked upon rather as a devotional exercise than an entertainment The devotional note was certainly suggested by the Choral Union's performance on Saturday The audience filled the Town Hall, and the choir was larger in the matter of male voices than it has been since the war took such a heavy toll of men. Mr Robert Parker conducted, and to him is due the major part of the credit The chorus was not only strong in numbers, but on intimate terms with ite allotted work; sang usually in time, and always with intelligence. There was a generally ready response to the beat, and a prpmpt attack and crisp finish. "Lift Up Your Heads" and "Hallelujah were remarkably well sung. So, too, was the "Amen" chorus, which is not very often •sung The Union was extremely fortunate in its soloists. Madame Bella Russell, the soprano, demonstrated possession of a well-trained, flexible, if rather light, voice She had a thorough grasp of her work, and was eminently successful in "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth," wWh she sang with an appropriate note of triumph, and with power Miss Mina Caldow again achieved distinction Her deep, pure, rich notes were heard in all their beauty in "Come Unto Him." She, was restrained rather than joyous in her interpretation of "0 Thou that Tellest." _ Her most imprest sive number, sung with telling pa-thos in every note, was "He Was Despised " This was a remarkably sympathetic reading of this tragic air, which so appropriately fits the words Mr. 'John Prouse promised a fine performance from the outset in "But Who May Abide." He was at his very best (or'near it) on Saturday night. "Why t)o tho Nations Rage," as he sang it, was full of fire, so to speak, and conspicuous for its declamatory force Mr Prouse has rarely been in better voice than he was on Saturday night

Mr. Sydney Butler, the tenor, was an unqualified success. He was given a splendid reception, and it was well deserved He showed himself thoroughly familiar with the work in hand, singing without affectation of any sort. His enunciation wns clear, his phrasing adimirable, and, besides all this, he proved possession of a voice of high quality and well trained. He forced no note, observed all the nuances which the conscientious and truly artistic reading of his part required. Air. Butler became a favourite on the instant.

The orchestra was composed entirely of strings, but most helpful and capable service was rendered it by Mr. Temple White at tho organ. "Tho Messiah" will be ropeated on Christinas Night.