THE APOLLO SINGERS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 135, 5 December 1930, Page 4

THE APOLLO SINGERS

AN EXCELLENT CHOIR

When the Apollo Singers, the male voice choir conducted by Mr. H. Temple White, made their initial public appearance a few weeks ago they created quite a favourable impression, and gave at the same time promise of better things to come. That promise was amply fulfilled by the second conceit, given last night, and justification was also given to the Apollo Singers' claim to be "Wellington's foremost male voice choir." Their place in the Capital City's musical world should now be assured of permanence. Last night's concert was a huge success in every way. The audience was large enough to practically fill the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, and included a yico-Reg'al party: enthusiasm and appreciation were genuine, and it was necessary to repeat nearly every item. Tho choir showed a marked improvement in tone and volume, and in nearly every instance the voices were well balanced. A little harshness was at times noticeable, but only rarely. As the Vice-Regal party entered, the National Anthem was sung in a setting specially composed for the choir by Mr. Temple White. This was markedly successful, and formed the subject ,at the close of tho evening of a < personal congratulation by Lord Bledisloo to Mr. White. The programme was diversified enough to suit all tastes, and contained some ambitious numbers which were tackled resolutely and with conspicuous success. Amongst these were Laurent de Rillo's "Hungarian March," the martial spirit of which was excellently sustained, and the "Sailors' Chorus" from . Wagner's "Flying Dutchman," in which the choir showed themselves quite capable of taking the boards as a tull-blown operatic chorus. In the latter number, as also in Percy Graingev's "The Hunter in His Career," another finely interpreted number, what vastly appealed to the audience was the double piano accompaniment played with great vigour by Mr. W. Billington and Mr. Ernest Jenner. It fairly brought the house down, as the saying is. The obviously fitting opening number, "Hymn to Apollo" (Gounod) was another good bit of team work. Granville Bantoek's "Queen of Love," "Lend Your Ear, Pretty Maiden" (M'Lellan), and the well-known and always popular "All Through the Night" and "Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes" lost none of their charm as sung by the choir. Very interesting, especially in view of the informative article on it.in "The Post" the other evening, was the old English melody "Caleno Custure Me," the soloists being Mr. H. A. Pargetter (baritone) and Mr. E. K. Rishwortli (tenor). Mr. T. Watson was tho baritone soloist in "Ma Mississippi Home," and on the strength of that one would wish next concert for a real negro spiritual. The humour of the evening was supplied in, "A Persevering Vocalist," Mr. A. H. Outtrim "stunting" to effect behind the scenes to begin with and finally on the stage for the encore. The choir's final item on the programme was "Follow the Gleam," but the audience was not satisfied and "The Soldiers' Farewell" was added by request. Outside .help, to give the choir needful breathing-space, was supplied by Mr. Claude Tanner, who as a 'cellist is always welcome on the concert platform. He had a perfect accompanist in Mr. Ernest Jenner, and his several short items were played with skill and feeling. They included Mozart's "Aye Vermn," Boccherini's "Minuet," Glazounov's "Melodic Arabe," and "Intermezzo" from the Gvanados-Cassado opera, "Goyescas," in addition to encore numbers. The Ceeilian Quartet (Misses Leonie WJiiteforc?, Olive Long, Margaret ■ Ferens,; and Edna Taukersloy) sang Schubert's "The Lord is My Shepherd," and the Irish folk tune "Follow Me Down to Carlow." After wbat appeared to be initial nervousness had been overcome, they did more justice to themselves in encore numbers, which were "Three Fishers" and a Brahms "Cradle Song." : ._