"THE MESSIAH"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 143, 14 December 1942, Page 2

"THE MESSIAH"

The Royal WeUirigtori Choral Union gave its customary' Christmas performance of Handel^r oratorio "The Messiah" last night, but the day and place were* not customary. However, Sunday night proved a popular time, and St. James Theatre a convenient place. There was nothing quite incongruous; about the place, for have not Mr, Handel" and excerpts, from "The.Mes- , siah" recently been conformed to cinema requirements and the possibili-, ♦ties of oratorio in sound and film demonstrated? , . .:■, ■■ v- . The performance last night was In most respects artistically satisfactory. "The Messiah," as a work, presents different facets to different people;, to some it is a work of great musical interest; to others it is something m the way of decorous entertainment: for others it has a profound spiritual significance. The theatre was packed last night, and the audience in general appeared to be in reverent and receptive mood, restraining applause till the closing of- the performance with the "Hallelujah" chorus. Mr. Stanley Oliver conducted. The choir as a whole, although short of men's voices (and a number of singers were in uniform) gave an excellent account of itself, notably in "Glory to' God" and "Surely He Hath Borne." Crisp and spirited singing marked "Lift Up Your Heads"; the piano and forte effects of "Since by Man" and. "By Man Also" were most impressive. In "Worthy Is the Lamb That Was' Slain" grandeur rather than loudness wm made the objective. Mr. Oliver conducted with scholarship and authority. The soloists were Alison Cordery (soprano), who sang with sincerity and understanding, especially in "I Know that My Redeemer"; Phyllis Gribbin (contralto), who imparted the right note of tragedy to "He Was Despised"; Joseph Battersby (tenor), • who infused fire into "Thou Shalt Break Them"; and Ken Macauley" (baritone), who gave strongly-dramatic readings of "But* Who May Abide," '*He Is Like a Refiner's Fire." and in "Why Do the Nations." Mr. Leon de Mauny led the orchestra, which gave a highly-credit-able account of itself. The net proceeds of the- performance .were tot patriotic purposes. '