THE CONCERT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 58, 30 October 1880, Page 2

THE CONCERT.

The first concert given by the Choral Society drew a good attendance on Thursday night. The public have already had the pleasure of listening to the various members, in connection with the entertainments that had been got up for the benefit of the Institute. We expressed a hope, in our first notice of the efforts of local singers, that the nervous feeling, which was so apparent, and which tended, so much to mar the entertainment, would soon be replaced by confidence, and it is satisfactory to find the improvement in that respect that has taken place, especially amongst the ladies. The stage looked very nice, but the chandelier was hung in such a bad position that the ladies' features could hardly be distinguished, whilst a " lustrous brightness " shone o'er the faces of the sterner sex. This should not be, and of course it was merely the result of an oversight, as everything had to be hurriedly arranged during the afternoon. The introductory portion, by the band, was well played, but it is to be regretted that a few more instrumentalists cannot be found. " Awake, lyre," by the company, was not quite up to the mark ; the time was not good, and more than one singer appeared anxious to do more than was required. The "Red Cross knight," a trio by two ladies and a gentleman, with violin accompaniment, went very well, but the singing of the gentleman was rather " jerky" at times. " Jack's yarn" was deservedly applauded ; the gentleman who sang it has a capital voice, and only needs a little cultivation to rank amongst our best amateurs. "In the lonely vale of -■streams," the company appeared to much greater advantage, and gave evidence of the progress the members of the society are making. " Sing, sweet sister," was so well received, that the last verse had to be repeated. One of the band then favored the audience with some selections on the violin, but from want of rehearsal, the piano accompaniment was not so good a3 it might have been. However, the audience seemed highly pleased, and loud applause was bestowed upon the violinist. " Forgive blest shade," a trio by two ladies and a gentleman, was very nicely sung, and excellent time was kept. Oue of the ladies has a fine clear voice, and her intonation is very distinct. The duet by two gentlemen, '" Night is down the valley .stealing,!' did not go smoothly. It seemed as if a little more rehearsal would not be amiss. The gentleman who sang " I fear no foe," appeared to be a great favorite ■wit.li "fclie aAicLience, aoicl "fclio zi/ppl£LTi.se l>estowetl upon him roighfc Very easily have disconcerted, a. less con&cienb person ; hub he acquitted himself "well. t ' " Good night, thou glorious sun," by the company, was splendidly rendered-, ,«n.d brought the first part of the entertainment to a close. The overture by the band, which introduced the second part, was well played, the company following with " The chough and crow." " The memories of home," a pretty little piece, afforded a lady with a sweet voice a good opportunity of displaying it to advantage. Then came what was generally regarded as the gem of the evening, a duet by a lady and gentleman, entitled " Gabriel and Evangeline," founded on that beautiful story of the American poet Longfellow, with which nearly everybody is familiar. The gentleman who personified Gabriel was suffering from a severe cold, but even under that disadvantage his voice had the genuine musical ring about it, and his words were distinctly audible. We are sorry that we cannot say the same of the lady's iutonatioii. I» our young days, we remember a tall Belgian musical teacher, who always carried some eggs for the delectation of his pupils. Not that he required them to eat the eggs either raw . or boiled, but he would insist upon forcing the mouths of his pupils open, and the eggs were a sort of testing machine. The lady who took the part of " Evangeline " wants a little practice with the eggs. She possesses a rich voice, not often the gift of either amateurs or professionals, but in her low register the articulation is so indistinct, that it has a tendency to spoil her singing. It' is to be hoped she will take a little friendly advice : it is never a pleasant duty for the critic to tender it, but indiscriminate praise, instead of doing any good, has quite the opposite effect. " Now to the month of Maying," although stale trom constant repetition, and on that account might have been omitted with advantage, was well sung by the company, as was also the finishing chorus " In fairy land " ; but " Desolate is the dwelling of Morna" was not so well rendered as at a previous concert, nor was the time so good. The duet on the piano, by a lady and gentleman, was a musical treat. By the way, it is a pity that these instrumental duets are not made a greater feature in the entertainments. The song " Sunshine," by a gentleman, was not suited to his voice ; but he has no reason to be ashamed of his first appearance in public ; although it will be as well for him to select more suitable songs. Professionals are generally careful in that respect, but it is the fault of amateurs that they are apt to sing baritone songs when they have tenor voices, and vice versa. Besides, such a practice has a tendency to spoil a good voice. The septette, " Queen of the valley," by three ladies and four gentlemen (a beautiful piece), was not a musical success, but a little more practice will make it worth listening to at some future concert. " God save the Queen " brought a very pleasant evening's entertainment to a close ; but it was hardly fair to the young lady who took the solo parts to leave her unaided. There ought to have been a piano accompaniment. The ladies who presided at the piano did their allotted tasks gracefully, and it was pleasant to find one of the fair members of the New Plymouth Choral Society aiding our local amateurs. Great credit is due to Mr. S. Dixon, the conductor of the society. We venture to think that, for the short space of tune the society has been in existence, . its performance on Thursday evening was a highly creditable one, and, of course, the conductor must be' credited with no small share of the success.