NOTABLE WORK REVIVED

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 147, 19 December 1919, Page 3

NOTABLE WORK REVIVED

ALFRED HILL'S CANTATA

"HINEMOA."

Rarely is the prophet honoured in his own country, but an exception was made to the rule by Mrs. Ernest Queree last evening. Thanks to her enterprise and artistic common-sense, Wellington was afforded an opportunity to hear, after the silence of very many years, Alfred Hill's original and beautiful work, "Hinemoa." This essentially New Zealand work in subject, design, and feeling, so far as Wellington is concerned, would have still' lain dust covered on the shelf but for Mrs. Queree and the capable friends and pupils who enabled her to carry out her intention.

To those who had not heard it before, Mr. Hill's work must have come as a most"agreeable surprise. Setting in the background its claims to respectful attention on the score of its local origin, "Hinemoa" is certainly a work that should be on the preference list of choral societies, and be heard at least once a year in its country of origin, if only as a just compliment to its composer. It should be possible to give it with the splendid backing that the Verbruggen Orchestra could supply, when it comes to New. Zealand. Undeterred by the fact that "Hinemoa" needs a capable orchestra for its adequate rendering, Mrs. Queree, with the aid of' her talented daughter, Mrs. Rene Queree-Wallis, relied upon such effects as two grand pianos could supply, together with the flute exquisitely played by Sig. Truda, ' The result was wholly satisfactory. In the circumstances, it was remarkable how much of the beauty of the work was revealed by Mrs. Queree, her daughter, and the high-ly-capable flautist. ' The soloists were Miss M. Chatwin, taking the major part of "Hinemoa," the rest being allotted to Miss F. Barry : Mr. W. Goudie "Tutanekai,". Mr. E. J. Hill "Tiki," and Mr.. R, Meates "The Tohunga." Mrs. Queree was fortunate in her principals, and especially so to include in them the brother of the composer. Miss Chatwin is a young singer with much yet to learn, but she has temperament and some other qualifications which warrant her pursuing her studies. She is a singer of great promise. Miss Barry had not much to do, but she acquitted herself with credit. Mr. Hill has sung in Wellington and elsewhere for very many years, but it is doubtful if his voice (for all that) was ever sweeter and clearer than it was last night. Mr. Goudie was highly successful as the warrior lover, and Mr. Meates (who had given evidence of it earlier in the evening) proved himself to be a basso of rare quality, and one admirably suited for operatic work.

"Hinemoa" was preceded by a highly, enjoyable concert, in which the following students took part :— Messrs. A. Innes and R. Moore' in "The 'Lord is a Man of War"; Miss Blanche Godier, "Out of the Deep" and "All on a Summer's Day" : Mr. R. Meates, "Arm, Arm. l re Brave" and "The Butterfly and the Rose" ; Miss E. Harper, "Sing, Joyous Bird" ; Miss J. Sutherland. "Dream, Dear Love" • Mr Austin Blackie, "Salve Dimora" (Faust) • and Mr. T. Queree and Miss Godier sang with great success, "Sink, Red Sun."