BERLIOZ'S "DAMNATION OF FAUST."

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 46, 1 September 1928, Page 7

BERLIOZ'S "DAMNATION OF FAUST."

' Tho work chosen by the Royal Choral Union for its second concert of the present season will be "Tho Damnation of Faust." This will be the second occasion that this work has been performed in Wellington, aud It is proving most interesting and is creating much enthusiasm amongst the performing members of tho chorus and the orchestra. Berlioz was a master of the orchestra and Is noted as a brilliant and audacious colourist, and the work mentioned combines melodies of haunting sweetness, with scenes rich in colour. "The Damnation of Faust" is said to be Berlioz in quintessence. Iv 1003, the centenary of his birth was celebrated by performances of this work in Paris, and also by tlio erection of a bust of the composer outside tho Monlo Carlo Opera House. The orchestration Is a feature of the opera, and since the "Elijah' performance the new conductor, Mr. John Bishop, has reorgalsed the whole band, and ho is leaving no stone unturned to make this particular section a feature of the performance. The choir and orchestra of 200 performers will bo assisted by the following soloists:—Soprano, Madame Winnie Fraser; tenor, Mr. Hubert Carter; baritone, Mr. Barry Coney; and bass, Mr. D. S. Grant. Owing to the length of tho work It will be necessary to commence the performance at 7.45 p.m. sharp, so as to finish by 10.30. The performance will take place at the Town Hall on Saturday, tho loth September.