Cantata " Isaac and Rebekah."

Feilding Star, Volume XXI, Issue 129, 30 November 1899, Page 2

Cantata " Isaac and Rebekah."

Last evening in the Volunteer Hall the Presbyterian choir, assisted; by the leading musical talent of Feilding, consisting of about 30 voices, rendered the cantata " Isaac and Eebekah." There was not such a large audience as was desirable, owing to the counter attractions, but it was an appreciative one. Considerable praise is due to Mr G Bartholomew for organising the choir which undertook the Cantata, and to all who worked so ably under his leadership. Mr Greenwood 1 had charge of tha baton for the evening', and fulfilled his duty very satisfactorily. In connection with the cantata Mrs Bichards, who was in splendid voice, sang, by request, those beautiful solos from the Messiah " I know that my .Redeemer liveth," and "He shall feed His flock," in both of which she commanded the breathless attention of .the audience. The instrumental portion of the programme was decidedly good, the orchestra being composed of the following :— Piano, Miss (-Hesen; organ', Mrs Leary ; violins, Messrs-Bell and Watson ; double bass, Mr Bilderbeck ; cornet, Mr E. F. Haybittle. Solos were taken by Messrs Carty/ Trail, F. Thompson, Eichards, Shearer, Pickering, Bartholomew 2, Mesdauies Hood, Pickering and Eichards. Mr "Wingate, of the Palmerston North Orchestral Society, generously volunteered his service* afc the last moment * and his cello wa3 a decided acquisition. It is a difficult matter to specially select for praise a few of the best efforts of the evening, but amongst the gems were a eolo and quartette " Sweet Home of childhood " by Misses Chamberlain and Miller, and Messrs Pickering and Carty, the solo being taken by Mrs Eichards! The tenor solos 'Inviting to our journey" and " Hinder me not " by Mr Geo. Bartholomew, wera specially pleasing : Mr John Bartholomew's bass .solo "Yonder in Macphelah's cave," an aria from Abraham, being his best, and Mrs Hood's solo in the recitative passage " The blessing' of the Lord." The gem of the male quartettes was probably " Oh, rest Thee, Master." rendered by Messrs Or. and J. Bartholomew, •■ Trail and Carfcy, and the voices blsmka very sweetly in the quartette •' Speed Thee." by Mrs Law, Miss A. Coombe, Messrs Trail and F. Thompson, a solo by the latter also being specially good. Mrs Pickering's solo " Child thy Mother's Heart is Yearning." was very good. A duet by Mr and Mrs Eichards "The Eecognition, " was an exceptionally good production. The choruses were taken ■with plenty of spirit, and had a fine swing ibi'ovtglioui, principal among them being tbe final chorus " Alleluia." The cantata cannot be considered a financial success though its production is complimentary to tbe Feilding musicians. The piano . and organ were kindly lent by Messrs Grace and Co.