"MESSE SOLONNELLE" AT WESLEY CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 75, 29 March 1926, Page 3

"MESSE SOLONNELLE" AT WESLEY CHURCH

Last evening, at. Wesley Church, Tara ; naki street, Gounod's "Messe Solonnelle was rendered by the choir of forty voices under Mr. H. Temple White. Mr. Eric Froggart was at the organ. The soloists werei-Soprano, Mrs. J. F. Woodward; tenor, Mr. Frank Bryant; baritone, Mr. Len Barnes. The work is one of great beauty, and the soloists and chorus made the most of the great work, which was listened to by a large congregation. The work commences with a quiet movement, and is followed by a "credo, a unison chorus of a bold nature. The-middle portion deals with the mystery of the Incarnation, and was sung very softly _by the trio and chorus. This portion is of a moving nature, and is perhaps the most beautiful of the whole work. The ' Offertory," a quiet interlude, was played by Mr. Froßgatt. The "Sanctiis," with its wonderful tenor air, works up to a thrilling climax, and in this Mr. Bryant was at His best. Then follow two exquisite numbers, "Bcnedietus" and "Agnus Dei." The final, "Gloria," opens with a soprano solo over a humming accompaniment, and in this Mrs. Woodward sanj the extremely difficult opening with great refinement. Ths baritone solo which follows was well sung by Mr. Barnes, and the accompaniment to this particular solo makes it most effective. The final chorus works up to a thrilling climax. . Much credit is due to all concerned for such'an effective rendering of a difficult but beautiful work.