APOLLO SINGERS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1931, Page 3

APOLLO SINGERS

OPERA AND SONG

A distinctly ambitious programme was presented by, and incidentally a very well got up and informative programme was sold byj the Apollo Singers last night, when they gave their first concert of the season to a large and appreciative audience which filled the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. Several incursions were made into the realm of grand opera, but there is room for difference of opinion as to whether Mr. H. Temple White, who so ably conducted the Apollo Singers, would not be better advised to confine his efforts to part-songs and, folk songs of which there is such a wide variety to make choice suitable to the capabilities of the choir' and to the tastes of the average audience. The "Miserere" Scene from Verdi's "I! Trovatore" was the piece do resistance, and it was presented with spot lights and tolling bell complete. The fine singing of Miss Myra Sawyer as the tinfortunate Leonora, was its feature, Mr. Denis Sheard ably supporting in the tenor part of Manrico and the choir doing the chanting the monks. The latter part of this well-known operatic excerpt had to be repeated. Another operatic offering was the duet, "Be Mine the Delight," from Gounod's "Faust." Mr. G. Wilson sang the tenor part of Faust and Mr. Robert Orr the baritone part, of Mephisto, the latter's voice being more suited to this kind of work than the former's. The whole choir, with a. tinkling anvil to help them, presented with a. high measure of success, as on a. previous occasion, the "Anvil Chorus" from Verdi's "11 Trovatore,"- receiving a well-deserved encore. The final operatic" offering was the "Soldiers' Chorus'' from "Faust," presented with plenty of vigour and making a very satisfactory closing number. Curiously enough, one of the best of the part-songs presented by the Apollo Singers was about the only item which was not encored. This was Schubert's "Gondolier's Sei'enade," a little gem. Other part-songs, all a delight to listen to, were "Song of the Bow," Conan Doyle's words being set to music by Florence Aylward, the arrangement being John Pointer's; "Pack Clouds Away," the words of which by Thomas Heywood date back some 250 years, the music being by S. Ward Casey; Schumann's

"The Two Grenadiers," the HnrrisonDavifss setting in no way detracting from its dramatic power; a Scots folk song, "Green Grow the Bashes'. 0"'; the delightfill North Country Folk-tune, "Bobby Shaftoe"; and the ever popular "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny." Thai, is.wide varicty^wide enough to cater for all tastes. But, to it, was added some humorous items by the Aeolian Quartet (Messrs. B. FT. Mayall, A. E. Coe, T. Watson, ml D. Hall] after they had sung Shaw's delightful •'Come, Soft and Lovely Evening." Tn addition to those mentioned as taking part in the operatic numbers, the Apollo Singers had the assistance of Mrs. Thomas Watson, whose rich contralto was heard to great advantage in ''The Enchantress" (Hatton). As an encore number she gave "When Children Play," and later on she sang ''A Threnody" (Augusta Holmes)- Mr. Ernest -Tenner as accompanist, was, hs usual, a host in himself. Mr. ii. W. Probert had charge of the percussion efforts, and' to .Mr. L. D. Webster are due thanks for the illuminating programme. Mr. Temple White and all concerned have just cause to be gratified by the. success of the concert, and amongst those who enjoyed it. were the two emiment visitors, Mr. Mark Harnbnurg and Mr. Ff'ter Dawson. The two other concerts 'which are to be given later in the season hy the Apollo Singers will be lookial forward to with pleasurable anticipation, as on each' appearance hitherto | there has been an improvement shown.