THE “ANCIENT MARINER”

Grey River Argus, 7 December 1932, Page 3

THE “ANCIENT MARINER”

Philharmonic Society A SIGNAL SUCCESS. The Grey mouth Philharmonic Society can be congratulated <>u its noble ef fori to ;id<l its quota to the better class (jf music presented to Grevmoutb audiences. Since its fonnatiou its aim has been to instil the desire for the best in com erted and choral music, and from its lir.t modest production the ■Society has, as it gained experience, been able to present, and with much acceptance, more difficult works. In attacking the story depicted by Coler idge in the “Ancient Mariner,” the Society successfully presented last evening one of the most difficult works it has so far essayed. Last evening’s choir was numerically not so strong as previously ami admittedly more volume would have been an advantage in the chorus work, but against that there was a delightful blend of voices, no part being obtrusive at any stage of the story, throughout the evening the singing was tuneful, voices and orchestra went well together and all subservient to the baton of the conductor, Mr F. Rcstieaux. The soloists, without exception, acquitted themselves well and conveyed the sense and moods of the story very well indeed. The quartettes were altogether pleasing, the voices being well balanced and the ensemble harmonious and full of colour. Tn the duet “Two Voices in the Air,” again there was a nice blend and a tasteful reading of both parts. Of the soloists, Airs Tarrant and Air Hadland had to bear the brunt of the plot, having to take numerous recitatives as well as their solos, covering themselves each with the highest credit. The bass recitatives and arias were capably ren dered by Alessrs R. R. Smith, A. Airns. J. Boucher and E. McQueen, whilst other tenor numbers received a sincere

reading by Mr F. Smith. Miss Bessie Powell in the contralto air. ”0 Sleep’’’ showed distinct ability for so young •» singer. The audience was appreciative, and generous with its applause, the two hours occupied by the production passing quickly, thus indicating that the whole work had held the interest of those present from the opening chorus to the finale. The orchestra’s contribution was highly commendable, intonation was good throughout, there were good nuances, and expression, and well subdued accompaniment. The duet by Messrs Eric Moss and C. Moss was a gem, and well merited the applause which greeted it. The detailed programme was as follows: Overture, Orchestra; chorus, male voices, ‘‘lt is an Ancient Mariner’’; recitative (tenor), Mr J. Hadland. “By Thy Long Grey Beard”; chorus (male ■voices), “He Holds Him”; tenor, Air Hadland, “Hold off.’ Unhand Me”; chorus (male, voices), “Eftsoons His Hand”; Mariner’s chorus, “The Ship was Cheered”: Mr Hadland (tenor), “The Wedding Guest”: Bridal C 'horns (female voices'), ‘‘The Bride Hath Paced”; recitative. Mr Hadland, “The Wadding Guest'; chorus. “And now the storm-blast’’: recitative. Mr* Tarrant (soprano''. “Anl n ’ • •• ■ • '■■) ,! ||, P Breeze BI - " ■ ■ . .Ir.e, Mr Hadland, Sil'-- >’ Ancient Mariner’’; rr-'itativ-' ■' ’ ijrns (ba ■). “With My Crosc' ’ aria. Mr .1 Hadland. “Down Dcopt tile Breeze’’: chorus. “About, About in Reel and Rout’’; recitative, Mr R. Smith (bass’). “The Steersman’s Face’’; quartet. Mrs Tarrant. iMiss Broad, Mr J. Hadland, Air E. Sniit-lij --.The Souls did from their

Bodies Fly”; recitative, Mr R. Smith, ‘‘Alone, Alone all, all, Alone”; Air, Air A. Airns, “ O Happy Living Things”; Air. Aliss Powell (contralto), “O Sleep! it is a Gentle Thing”; recitative. Air J. Boucher (bass), “And Soon I Heard”; chorus, “The Upper Air Burst into Life”; entr’acte, “Solitude” (Voelker), orchestra; duet, clarinet and ’cello, Alessrs C. G. and E. R. Moss; male voices, “The Loud Wind Never”; recitative. Air F. Smith, *•] Fear Thee, Ancient Alariner”; bass, Mr E- AlcQueen, “Be Calm, Thou Wedding Guest”; quartet, Airs Tarrant. Aliss Broad, Air F. Smith, Air EAlcQueen. “Around, Around, Flew Each Sweet Sound”; recitative. Air E. AlcQueen. “Till Noon We Quietly”; duet. Airs Hutton and Miss N. Palmer, “Two Voices in the Air”; recitative, Air R. Smith. “And Now This Spell”; Air, bass, Air R. Smith, “Swiftly, Swiftly Flew the Ship”; air, Mr F. Smith, “The Harbour-bay”; recitative Airs Tarrant. “And the Bay was White”; solo ami chorus pf females, Airs Tarrant. “This Seraph Band”; Chorus. “What Loud Uproar”; quartet and chorus, “O Sweeter Than the Alarriage Feast.” Prior to the commencement of the second portion of the programme. Air A. H. Paterson, in the absence of the Patron, Air AV. Aleldrum, expressed thanks for the support given the Society by its honorary members and the Greymouth public. He pointed out the aim of the Society in its efforts to add to the musical education and interest of its patrons, and bespoke a continuance of the support being so far accorded it.