OTAKI CHORAL SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 3, 4 July 1922, Page 2

OTAKI CHORAL SOCIETY

If last night's, performance at the Concert Chamber is anything U %o by, Otaki is very fortunate in its ""horal Society. The work, on, the who* was excellent, reflecting great credit upon Mrs. H. C. E.: Stahle (Madame Josephine Ottlee), and the forces lindei her direction. The cbwnber was packed m evidence of the musical interest taken in the venture. There was a well-arranged .programme, with part songs, and numbers for individual sing ers of both sexes; also Gounod. "Lamentation," the motet' "Gallia," and Cowen's "Rose Maiden." The con cert was opened with the old favourite ."Hail, Smiling Morn," which, as thi programme proceeded, proved to' be the best choral number- of the'evening. Mrs.. Stahle was handicapped for want of a broad foundation of. men's voices particularly of basses', but in this particular number there was noticeable an intelligent understanding' by every member of the choir of the character of the piece, a smart response to'\the beat, strict observance of time, and a nice appreciation of light and 'hade. The choral work in "Gallia" and. "The Rose Maiden " was; most creditable. Speaking generally, Otaki had good reason to be proud of its musical pfforts, and to regard itself as a worthy example for other similarly placed communities to copy. The humorous part song,-"Mother Hubbard." with its barking (fugues and final • dolorous howling ad lib; was an immensely populai numb'eir.'■ Select-ions from Van Bree's "St. Cecilia's D .y" were, included. They were "Give Way to Pleasure' and "Holy Music," the soloist being Mrs., F. G. Da vies, a conscientious singer. "The Rose Maiden" afforded an opportunity for presentation of . a very youthful soprano, Miss Joan Lowry, who has youth on her side, and a strong voice with great possibilities. The . number also introduced Miss Millar, Mrs. J, M. Irving, and Mr." L. G. Lowry (basso), who contributed much' to its popularity. A - Maori . quartette (of five voicesj-^soprano, Mrs. Riori/ contralto, Miss R.-Tahiwi, and three Messrs. Tahiwi—was unquestionably the most popular item of the evening. : It was an old Native song, exquisitely sung, perfect in' harmony, time; and tune. Among the individual singers, Miss M. Elderton (a mezzo-soprano), with "Lorraine, Lorraine, Lorree," was outstanding in vocal purity, enunciation,.and expression, her number being conspicuous for a nice sense of its tragic character. Mrs. Ribri, possessor of a. sweet and natural soprano, was most successful in "Ah, Tho' the Silver Moon." Other singers who helped in the success of the concert were: Misses Constance Berrill, Winifred Patterson, Edith Morrison, and Mr. ,H. C. E. Stahle; also Mrs L. G. Lowry at the pianoforte. The concept'cannot be described as| other than a -musical and financial success for Otaki.