Choral Society's Concert.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 15, 16 July 1887, Page 2

Choral Society's Concert.

'• JUDAS MACCABEUS.” Thb Gisfafirnlj Choral Society are to be congratulated upon the extremely successful result of thefi performance of Handel’s oratorio “ Judas Maccabeus ” on Thursday evening last. The work was considered by many as far too ambitious a production for so young a society to attempt, but, some defeats notwithstanding, the Society have proved themselves well able to cope with the many difficulties the work presented. Parnell's Hall wrs crowded by a large, thoroughly representative audience, who seemed to enjoy the ttiUalcUl trial provided for them, the applause being at times very hearty, The seating arrangements were capital, and refleet credit upon the Secretary, Mr South, and Messrs M. Macdonald, Daaent. and Tebbutts. The stage was enlarged for tht occasion, and was effectively decorated with evergreens on either aide, The orchestra although small ifl number was very effective, and consisted of the following well-known local amateurs: —First violins, Mias Waitersand Mrßoss; second violin, Mr Davis ; flute, Mr A. Graham; clarionet, Mr Beere ; cornet, Mr South ; trumpet, Mr Morrison ; violoncello, Mr Harvey. Miss Porter acted as pianist, and Mrs Thompson as organist.

After the opening .overture was sung the chorus “ Mourn, ye afflicted Children.” Al. though taken rather too fast it went well upon the whole, and was shortly followed by the duet “From this Dread Scene” by Mrs Sunderland and Mr East. This was a very pretty number, and was very nicely renderb’i. Handel's well known air ” Pious Orgies, Pious Aire ” Miss Holroyd sang with great taste and expression, but unfortunately her voice is hardly equal to the demands made upon it by the air. The grand chorus " Father, whose Almighty Powers" came next, and was exceedingly well given, the lead of the basses in the allegro being especially well attacked. Hearty and 'deserved applause followed this chorus which was succeeded by the well known “ Arm Arm Ye Brave ’’ which was sung by Mr Malcolm Macdonald. This gentleman was fairly successful, but we have heard him to much better advantage on previous occasions. This solo led on to the chorus'” We come in bright array." This number was remarkably well executed, the attack being especially good all through, The applause which followed was well merited. Now came a very charming air “ Come ever Smiling Liberty ’’ sang by Miss Rees who has an exceedingly pleasing, if not very strong voice, and who gave an intelligent and sympathetic rendering of the number. Mr Dalrymple then sang “ Tib Liberty ” with considerable success. As this air is frequently omitted in performances of the oratorio we were glad to welcome it on this occasion. A duet “ Come ever Smiling Liberty ” (Misses Holroyd and Staite) was fairly executed, and was succeeded by the fine chorus “ Lead on, lead on.” There was considerable indecision at the commencement but an improvement was noticeable as the chorus progressed, the close to this spirited number being given lemarkably well. A long recitative by Mr East showed signs of careful preparation, and was followed by the tine trio “ Disdainful of Danger ” by Miss Shelton, and Messrs East and Chrisp. This was considered by many to be the gem of the evening, the voices blending well, although the bass and tenor executants rather overweighted the alto. A few bars of recitative by Mr Macdonald led into the ‘ noble chorus “ Hear us 0 Lord ” which was however biightly marred by a little unevenness towards the close, the running passages being somewhat beyond the scope ot the Society's voices at present. A hearty round of applause was given, and the first part of the concert then terminated.

Part 11. commenced with a chorus in D Minor ’• Fallen ie the foe,” followed by a recitative and air, “ So rapid thy course is." This fine number replete with the true Handelian grace was rendered con amore by both by both orchestra and chorus and went remarkably well. A duet, ” Sion now her head shall raise ” (Mieses Holroyd and Rees) was well received, one ot the solo .voices leading into the chorus, ’• Tune your harps.” This chorus, starting in the dominant chords of the key,(had a specially striking effect and was one of the most striking morceauv of the evening. A duet and chorus “Hail, hail Judea,” the leading parts being taken by Mrs Butler and Mrs Orr, were very succesaful, the two ladies acquitting themselves very creditably. The recitative " 0 Judas, 0 my children,” by Mr Dalrymple was followed by the air “Oh wretched, wretched Israel ” rendered by the same gentleman. This air leads in Handel’s score into the chorus “ Ah wretch, Israel,"—in fact.the soloist has a sustained note in the chorus, but the conductor thought fit to go on to the recitation and air •• Sound an alarm,” which departure from the score is an anomaly. After a stirring chorus "We hear" followed thejrecitative and air “ With pious hearts." sung by Capt, Chrisp, who did full justice to the fine bass passages, his strong voice being heard to great advantage. Mrs Butler sang the air “ Wise men flattering ” and pleased the audience very much, the orchestral accompaniment being admirable. A duet “Oh never, never bow me down,” by Mrs Sunderland and Miss Adair was very nicely rendered, the latter lady’s sweet voice being heard to great advantage. This was followed by the chorus, the massive chords„at the entrance of the major key being peculiarly effective. An air " Father of Heaven ” by Miss Porter followed and was certainly the gem of the evening, the lady’s beautifully sympathetic voice giving marked effect to tne charming air. Genuine and hearty applause followed when the lady resumed her seat at the piano. A long and difficult recitative by Mr Greenwood preceded the ever-popular chorus “ See the Conquering Hero comes,” the noble words and music being done full justice to, and being well received by the audience. A march in G, by the orchestra, followed, and although well executed elicited but faint applause, A duet " O Lovely Peace ” (Misses Holroyd and Shelton) in which Miss Shelton's fine contralto voice was heard to fine effect, came next, and the oratorio concluded with the glorious strains of the chorus “ Hallelujah, Amen,” which was given with great erve by both orchestra and chorus. Considering the limited number of musical people in our midst, and the difficulties presented by the work, the performance as a whole must be looked on as a great success. With the distribution of the leading parts however, there is much room for criticism, as at least three of the four leading airs should have been entrusted to other hands. As conductor, Mr Shelton has worked hard, and given satisfaction, but the Society owes a special debt of gratitude to Professor Harvy without whose able supervision and instruction the Society would be indeed poorly off. We trust that the next concert given by the Society may be equally successful as the one given on Thursday last.