BASILICA CHOIR

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 48, 26 February 1934, Page 10

BASILICA CHOIR

A MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE

A feature of Pontifical: High Mass at the Basilica yesterday, ■in connection with celebrations .of Archbishop Bedwood's diamond jubilee, was the sung Mass by the combined choir of fifty voices, •' which was augmented for the occasion.

The Proper of the Mass was intoned nicely by the male choir, under the baton (for this portion) of the Eov. Father Fechly, of St: Patrick's, .Silverstream. ; '■ I.-I'--.:;-"

The special Mass for the occasion was Silas's, a beautiful composition, the rendering of-which was a great credit to the choir.- This Mass was particularly selected on account of the inajestice nature of the music—especially that of the'"Credo"—and it was accordingly considered most appropriate for. the solemn occasion.' The opening of the "Credo," which is in unison, produces a remarkable effect, and this was fully availed of by yesterday's choir, their work.in.this,portion calling for particular mention.' The "Et Incarnatus Est," the most' solemn part of the "Credo," was beautifully: sung by the soloists.1 Miss • Mary Bald opened with a contralto solo, followed by a quartet comprising Misses M. Keowen, M. Bald, and Messrs. L: Stapp and C. Hickmott. The work of the quartet was very well balanced. Another portion of the Mass which deserves special mention was the "Benodictus," a trio. Miss McKebwen. opened with a soprano solo which suited her; voice admirably and which she sung with taste and feeling. The work- of the trio, Messrs. Stapp and • Hickmott, and. Miss McKeowen,, was of a high order. The "Kyrie," "Sanctus," and "Agnus Dei" which are of a lighter style, showed up the light and shade of the music, and demonstrated the fine control the conductor had over the voices. Excellent work was done by the organist Miss Josephine Milligan. Practices were held by the choir over.a period of more than five months, and the manner in which they attended to their duties was a source of gratification to the conductress, Miss Eileen Dennehy. No mention of the choir's performance.could be complete without special reference to the untiring zeal of Miss Dennehy, on whose shoulders fell all the responsibility • connected with the choir's work. It must be a source of great satisfaction to her to know that her artistic rendering of the Mass was such a success. ~- ■■ '