“Elijah”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 282, 8 November 1924, Page 5

“Elijah”

A Memorable Performance COMBINED CHORAL SOCIETIES. AUDIENCE DEEPLY STLRBED. Mendelssohn’s glorious oratorio, “Elijah,” telling the dramatic story oi Elijah- the gieaiesi of die piopheis ol Israel, wa b produced al the ilablings Municipal theatre iaki evening, by ine combined ciiuirs oi the b eiUiigioij ito/ai Choral Lniun and thy LuaLing and die Napier Chural bucieues, uiih a strength oi dud voices, buppurted by an efficient orchestra ail under the baton oi air. Temple-White, oi Wellington, and in the presence ol an audience whose highesl anticjpa Lions were realised. liie history oi the distinguished prophet is to be found in the urst ami second books of Kings, proclaiming his denunciation oi the Kings ol Israel lor their apostasy, lie challenges the prophets of Baal and he drew down are trom God to consume his sacrifice, whilst the false God failed to respond to his supplicants, whereupon he caused the prophets of Baal to be slain, for which Jazabel instigated his death. Elijah, under divine inspiration, fled to Horeb, and ho was finally taken up to Heaven in a chariot of fire. The subject is an inspiring one and the great composer rose to the height of his achievements when ho wrote this soulstinring work, which is almost as well known amongst the people as the immortal “Messiah.”

Last night’s performance marked another era in the musical history of Hastings, in that it was the second occasion that the Hastings Society collaborated with outside organisations in the interpretations of musical masterpieces’ and this co-operation on the part of musicians far apart, proclaims the growing spirit of music through the Dominion, which may yet set our people aflame with tho fire of harmony. There is no music as capable of this .achievement as the sacred melodies, conceived by the master composers, and set to the stately and comforting text of Holy Writ.

When the curtain rose on the oratorio, the fine chorus presented an inspiring picture, which was greeted with warm ajiplause, a welcome which was repeated on the entrance of the soloists and, subsequently, of the conductor.

As is befitting “Elijah” (Mr. W. Watters) opens the oratorio, with the commanding recitative “As God the Lord of Israel livith, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew, nor rain these years, but according to my word,” a passage which forms the basis of the theme. Aliss Teresa AlcEnroe (Wellington), who is no stranger to the musical public of Hastings, whom she has delighted on other occasions has, since her previous appearance here, completed a course of study in Italy, the result of which was apparent in her fine expression last evening.. Possessing a charming presence, she at once makes an atmosphere, creating an interest, which becomes established when she sings. She has a very sweet, flexible and fluent voice which she uses with ease and comprehension, whilst she is capable of much sympathy in the interpretation of her numbers, the messages of which she delivers cleaily, convincingly and without effort. Her performance as extremely artistic and She was the recipient of a beautiful bouquet of roses. Her duet with Miss Caldow (contralto) supported by the chorus, was a charming item, whilst her appealing rendering of the recitative and air, “What have I to do with Thee” went straight to her auditors. Her solo, “Arise Now,” was extremely beautiful, especially when singing with orchestral effect. “Thy face must be veiled, for he draweth near?’ Aliss Mina Caldow, is gifted with that rare quality of voice, a full and pure contralto, which lends itself so much to the full expression of sorrow and tragedy. Aliss Caldow. is well known, not onlv in Hastings, but through New Zealand, in oratorio, but her wonderful voice, concentrated and reserved, powerful yet gentle, and charged with grief, compassion, tenderness, ruthlessness or hate, as her mood demands, always acts like magic on her people, by its strange adaptability to tho ever changing temper of our common natures. Her rendering of the air “Woe unto them w’ho forsake Him” was a fine study and her expression of “Go ye forth and seize Elijah, for he is worthy to die,” was pitiless in its purpose, whilst her singing of the fine number “O Rest in the Lord,” was delivered with an abiding trustfulness and devotion that stirred her hearers to faith and comfort and was one of her best efforts. She also was the recipient of a tribute of roses. Air. William Watters (Palmerston North), who sang “Elijah,” is endowed with a strong, clear baritone, vigorous, pliant and abundant in expression. lie has also temperament, which causes him to identify, himself completely with the passages he utters, sending them straight home to his auditors, and establishing an absolute sympathy between the house and the singer. His recitative, at the opening, was a stately enunciation, which created an admirable impression. He carried the brunt of the solos and his work throughout was entirely satisfying, but, if one might choose, his best numbers were “Lord God of Abraham’ and “It is enough; O Lord, now take away my life.” In the latter the bitterness of tho prophet’s sense of failure was expressed with an exalting humility and a profound devotion which found an echoing chord. The tenor soloist, Air. Sidney Butler, of Christchurch also sang with an efficacy and sympathy which found full scope in the air “If With All Your Yearts Ye Truly Seek Ale,” winch he interpreted with a depth of feeling and intensity, amply conveying the solacing import of that lovely melody. The combination of soloists was well balanced and happily selected. Aliss Gwen Hudson, the daughter of Air. E. Varley Hudson, of Napier, made her first appearance last night before a Hastings audience, whom she charmed with the sweetness and the melody of her arresting soprano. She sang with dignity, intelligence and restrait and she gives considerable promise as a vocalist who will be worth while. . Aliss Dora Ericksen, another Napier girl, with a beautiful mezzo soprano voice appeared with Miss McEnroe and Aliss Caldow in the celebrated “Angels Trio” (unaccompanied), one of the gems of tho oratorio, which was sung with much artistry. Miss Ericksen’s voice blended beautifu'ly and the combined effort was a most acceptable accomplishment. The quarette “Cast thv Burden Upon the Lord” (Alisses McEnroe, Caldow, Alessrs Butler and Watters) wa s an other feature of the harmonies, which was capably submitted. The chorus, the foundation of the work, gave a really glorious perfor- | mance, and one worthy of much praise, for the excellent manner in which they acquitted themselves, especially when one considers that they were comprised of three distinct choirs, many of whom had onlv one rehearsal under the conductor, Air Temple-White, who, at the close of the performance, maue a handsome acknowledgement of their work and of their attention to his beat. Their first number “Help Lord. Wilt Thou Destroy Us?” succeeded by the pitiful j recitative “The Deeps Afford no Water. I the Suckling’s Tongue now Cleaveth for Thirst to His Mouth.” representing the | calls of suffering people, was a cry of distress, loud and insistent, which was thrilling, and their rendering of “For He is a Jealous God” was a reverent interpretation. The chorus of the Priests of Baal “Baal We Cry to Thee” was a compelling effort, another being “Though Thousands Languish.” In

the chorus “Behold God the Lord Passsed By/’ the contrast between the earthquakes and the floods in turmoil, and the small still voice of God. wm ex. cellentlv expressed and indeed all the great choruses were done justice to by a loyal and conscientious body of singers, to whose work the sucoeea of the performance was in no small measure due. The orchestra gave a capable performance. which was also acanowleaged by the conductor in his address. They had hard and trying work through the <■’ lire composition, which they canted out with the greatest credit to themselvea, and to the great benefit of the oratorioThe oratorio was. in every way. a success and wan a great musical leeti«oj the music lovers of the die trict. Hie work wilt bp produced at Napier to-night, under the eonductorehip of Mr E. V. Hudson. SACRED CONCERT TOMORROW. ss Mina Caldow, <ho so charmeJ the large audit h<*«> on Frida, night at • oil Theatre by her singing in “Elijah” will be heard again at the .Sacred Cuncert to be given in ihe theatre on Sunday evening. The public will also he pleased to know that Mr. Sidney Butler will again sing on this ocscasion, and those who heard him in ’Elijah” will welcome another oppois tunity of hearing his fine tenor voice. The full strength of the Hastings Choral Society, combined with as many singers as can come from the Society, together with the Royal Wellington Choral Union will render sevara. oi the best choruses from “Elijah.” Mr J, Bewley will be the conductor. As the expenses in connection with the “Elijah” festival have been very heavy, it is hoped the public will re. spend with a substantial collection.