CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXII, Issue 7326, 22 August 1884, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL SOCIETY.

“ Theodora. To Christchurch belongs the honour of Wing the first city in Australasia in which Handel's oratorio “ Theodora” has lava produced. Lust night, the Oddfellows’ Hall was filled with a fashionable and critical audience, no doubt partly attracted by the novelty of the entertainment. though chiefly by the reputation the Society has obtained, more especially under the’present management. As has already been mentioned in these columns, •• Theodora” was written almost a century and a half ago. The oratorio was a great favourite with its composer, who. according to the " liiographia Dramatica,” valued it move than any other performance of the same kind. Being once asked whether ho did not consider the grand chorus in the " Messiah ” us his masterpiece ; ” No,” said he: ” 1 think the chorus ‘ He saw the Lovely Youth.’ at the end of the second part in ‘Theodora,’ beyond it.” “ Theodora ’* was first produced in 17 U>, and was performed four times (.hiring 1750, though it was very badly received. In connection with this unpopularity, the following aneedoto is worth relating. .given in Shvlcher’s " Life of Handel." Handel was glad to give eiders for admission to ivuv professors vvho did not {vrform. ■‘Two of these gentlemen having afterwards applied to Handel for an order to hear the Messiah, he cried out ' Oh, your sairvant. mcine herreu. you ara taumaple tainty, you would not co to Tcodora. der was room enough to tauce d.‘iv when dat was perform.’ ” At the second perfonuiince ho treated the matter with

witty pleasantry ..." ami hearing that a person of note from the eity had undertaken to engage for all the boxes if it was repeated again, ’ He is a fool.’ replied Handel, • the Jews will not route to it as to Judas Maeeabams. because it is a Christian story, and the Unties will not come because it is a virtuous one.’ ”

Of last night’s performance much can be said in praise. The choruses had been carefully learned, and were exceedingly well rendered ; and the solos, which wove entrusted to Miss A. ts. Taylor (Theodora), Mrs Lung (Irene), Miss Kowley (Didimusl, Mr J. C. I’usehell (Sept minis), and Mr K. Cane (Viviens), wore for the most part capitally given. The oratorio, though somewhat curtailed, was deprived, by the curtailment, of only one of the principal airs, vi—“ Lord, to Thee," the other omissions probably* tending to prevent anything like tedlousuess in the performance. The overture, which is of no great

length, is readily recognised si the ;v»rla> of Handel; it consist* of only two t.„ incuts—one largo the other allegro. la the first the violins have some exoui- itc passages; in the second a well-eonc-ived fugue, gives ample work for all the in-itm-nienta. The first vocal number is a bass recitative, solemn and majestic, and with more melody than recitatives generally have. Following the recitative, “ Go, My Faithful Soldier ” a very pretty instrumental introduction, and abound- in the rapid runs of which the comp-u-r was co fond. The succeeding number, Arift Draw a hown,” is a chorus full of joyousness. After scv-ral recitatives for alto and bass, another sprightly chorus, not i.i tier book of words, was given with preei-ion. The next air, •* Descend, Kind Pity,” i; a smoothly flowing composition, with a jrretty introduction and charming in-,tru-menfalpassag-s ,-rbeing the v-eal phra-ict. hor his execution of this. Mr |*rj.-;.-h.*;l was loudly applauded. A r.ait.tire f,,.frene i* followed l.y " Bane ..f Virtu. ’’ and "True Happiness," the -,tyj«. of .;•,■>< h of widen is ;,l- 1-■ to c. rn* rv-t one with the other as much as th- word* do—the one being jerky and rough, while tb-» other is sme-.th and even. This numb-r also won loud applause for the rin•, ,-r Mrs Long. N*x : o-.a-s. " t’o.-c', Mighty father, a m.v-c-uv -f;*, r ■ {-, ■t i, ri'“i! harmonies f,,r voie... : and orchestra, followed immediately by •« \U Power in H-.v-.-n,” another chorus characterised by bi-u of movement, indicative of .dfatt Another air. separated by , vn .-cp-aPy characteristic recitative, .pm foli./»»•«<, Tills was riot, on the .programme. but its rapid passage:-* display-d th t t; ; , f Mr Pnachelra.voice, and -km ur-d r d applause, A recitative for S.-ptwins, an I two for Theodora, led up to tr • a:r •• An.;-it Ever Bright and Fair,” which w tea familiar to need eommendatb n h-f-. fine it to say that Miss A. S. Taylor -aeg it with exquisite taste, and that, oming, ait did. as an integral part of a grand wort, its full beauty was the more completely realised. A very original air, " Kind Heaven,” with a brilliant accompaniment, was the next noteworthy number, to wbTh justice was done by Miss ICowb.-y. Thsucceeding tfaonw, " Go. Gener-.u*. P; Youth,” has a flowing melody for etch vocal part, and the closing phra->;-i are v-.-y nice. The next chorus. ■’ tpie-m i.i Summer,” though .short, u very enjoyable ; but the long note given to the word " of ’ in the opening might well be avoid M. A bold air, " Wide Spread His Name,’’ sung by Mr Cane, is nnumtakeahly Hitdeiian. The closing number of the tir t part, the chorus " Venus Laughing.” has a sparkling though simple melody, and cs free from anything like mannerism. The second part, last night, op-r.ed with a very sweet recitative, " Bat Why art Thou Disquieted,” and a difficult a:.-, “ Oh that I on Wings,” for Theodora, and very artistically did Miss Taylor ex-■ cut -■ both. After some rapid and well .J r I recitatives by Mias Rowley and Mr ’-’u-t. ‘..-.1, the latter sang a very pretty air, •• Ihoaga the Honours,” and the form-r ar.oth.-r sweet air, "Sweet Rose and Lilly.” The next air is, "The Pilgrim’s Home.” a charming melody for Th»s>dora. The chorus, " He Saw the Lovely Youth.” which the composer thought so highly seemed somewhat tame in the opening, but the spirited fugue with which it cb-sta would account for Handel’s partiality. “ Blest be the Hand,” the next chorus. ,s grand, and well sustained, and the treblei

were specially gwl in rendering their pare of it. An unaccompanied solo, sun* by Miss Taylor. was a feature in this number. Theodora's next solo, an excellently delivered recitative, “Oh my Irene,” is followed by a pleasing duet, with sprightly instrumental introduction, “ Whither Princess,” for Irene and Theodora. A nice air, not in the programme, having been sung by Mr Pnschell, a recitative introduces the last chorus, “Oh, Love Divine,” n majestic and flowing melody, in which voices and instruments harmoniously blend, but which seemed somewhat feeble towards its cl-ve. Schubert’s “ Song of Miriam,” with rapidly alternating solo and chorus, f -1 a fitting sequel to the more serious oratorio. In this Miss Speasley sang the solos with her accustomed sweetness and correct intonation, and the chore.--' »>;e given with the utmost vivacity. The u> compaaiment, though a little unsteady once, was otherwise admirable. Mr H. Wells conducted and Mr IT, Corrick led the orchestra, and ta--y. as w-il as the Society, are to be congratulat-d >n the very complete manner in which the programme of List night was carried - at.