ROYAL MALE CHOIR

Evening Star, Issue 20958, 24 November 1931, Page 9

ROYAL MALE CHOIR

A SEASON OF ARTISTIC SUCCESS TOWN HALL FULL FOR FINAL CONCERT For several seasons now the Royal Male Choir lias held pride of place as the most popular musical organisation of the city. Tho remarkable attendances at each of the quarterly concerts this year are no mean tribute to the esteem in which the choir is held, and at no time has that confidence been misplaced. While some of the concerts have been better than others, none has fallen to mediocrity. Last night’s performance wound up an eminently successful year, perhaps the most successful (artistically) the choir has yet recorded. This attainment must _bo largely due to Dr Galway’s technical skill and musical intelligence in directing the vocal forces at his command. The men, too, show an enthusiasm in, and an appreciation for, their _ work that render superficial deficiencies more or less negligible. An admiral balance was preserved in last night’s concert, and the music was sung with a spirit that gave the composers’ intentions full realisation. The tone was full and rich throughout, finely shaded to express the mood, and generally distinguished by delicacy _in colouring. The first choral selection was tho triumphal march ‘ Damascus,’ by Sir Michael Costa. It has a rcasonant and vital quality, and was finely delivered to an excellent climax. The tone in the unaccompanied Reichardt part song, ‘ The Image of a Rose,’ was beautifully shaded and nicely rounded. Mr J. Kennedy, with a very pleasant lyric quality, sang a delicately-phrased solo in this part song. ‘ Tho Cloudcapp’d Towers,’ a glee by R. J. S. Stevens, was notable for its highly effective contrasts, depth of tone, and clear-cut expression. The bracketed choral work was Greig’s powerful ‘ Recognition of Land,’ in which tho solo music was taken by Mr James Pater son. It was a forceful interpretation, impressively developed. ‘An Ode to Music,’ a cantata by Myles Foster, was another important work accorded full musical value. ■ It was sung with a devotional sincerity and thought, Mr E. W. Robbins was the soloist here. There was a fine swell of tone, resonant and clear, in tho Hebridean ‘ Island Shieling Song ’ (arranged by Hugh Robertson). This tone was finely produced and graduated, particularly in the last verse. It was a seasonable thought to introduce Percy Fletcher’s arrangement of ‘ Ring Out, Wild Bells,’ as this was the last concert of the year, and before its presentation Dr Galway extended to the members and friends of tho society the choir’s greetings. Tho carol was very spiritedly sung, and was an excellent note on which to bring tho concert to a close. There was quite an array of soloists to varv Aliis interesting programme. Miss Mary Teviotdale is a newcomer of whom we must hear more in tho future. She has a rich contralto quality, and shows much intelligence in the artistry of her singing. Last evening she gave ‘A Soft Day,’ the beautiful ballad by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, a very' old lullaby, ‘ 0 Sleep, My Baby,’ and ‘Ho is Tender with tho Beasts.’ Miss Teviotdale has culture behind that fine quality. Her legato stylo is a delight. It is always a pleasure to hear Miss Evelyn Shepard, a refreshing young soprano who has clarity and beauty of tone. She sang ‘ E’er Since tho Day ’ from the Charpentier opera 1 Louise,’ Handel s ‘ Come and Trip It,’ and ‘ My Lover is a Fisherman ’ with equal success. Mr Frank Watt gave quite an interesting performance of Schubert's great ‘ Erl King,’ but was much more effective in ‘ 6 Isis and Osiris,’ tho invocation from * Tho Magic Flute,’ the dignity and power of which were admirably interpreted. Dr J. Thomson and Mr J. D. M'Kechnio were associated in tho presentation of the scene from tho first act of ‘ Faust,’ in which Faust is lamenting his old age and infirmities, and. in despair, calls upon the evil ono to aid him. It was not a happy choice, and suited neither gentlemen. The programme was made all the more enjoyable by tho presence of Miss Margaret Seelyc, an accomplished young elocutionist, whoso perlormanco of Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘ Christmas At Sea ’ was an arresting study. Miss Seelyo lifts ft finely clrftiiuitic stylGj uiul presented a powerfully etched word picture. Recalled, she gave a juvenile sketch by the late Wish Wynne (easily the most popular item of the evening). Miss Seelyo is shortly to leave for England for further study. Her attainments should create a highly favourable impression in tho artistic centres in which she proposes to study. Quito a novelty was provided last evening by a ’cello quartet consisting of Messrs H. 0 M'Farlano. Lusk, T, Law, and W. Gillanders. Mr M'Farlano played the solo ill Paques’s ‘ Souvenir Do Curtis.’ the other three instrumentalists providing a colourful background. The choir quartette also sang. Mr J. H. Aldridge played the accompaniments.