“THE MESSIAH.”

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9604, 23 December 1891, Page 5

“THE MESSIAH.”

CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL SOOIITT. Last night the Christchurch Mnsiral Society performed Tho MessUth in the Durham street Wesleyan ChurdtVwhi&e the fine organ, played by Mr B. T. Sepc«P, added greatly to tne effect. The of the chorus—-though of course there have' been changes amongst them sines last Christmas—are sufficiently familiar with Handel's masterpiece to ensure foU iniUee being done to those numbers which art entrusted to theim Mr F. M. WsU*c* h*4 i evidently given his accustomed attention to the niceties of the composition* and may be congratulated on the success he attained, not only with the chorus, but also with the orchestra. The overtax was very smoothly played, and the rallftatando introduced for a few bars toward* its close, followed by a phrase or two l«"" : the organ, had a very telling effect. The ' pastoral symphony, too,, was charmingly . played, the opening movement, perhaps, not quite as softly as might be desired, but : on the whole this was scarcely a defect, for it made the subsequent pianissimo. aU. the more marked. While reference is being made to the instrumentalists, mention may be made of Mr Fred C. Raphael, who, played very correctly the trumpet obligato to the grand air, “The Trumpet shall Sound.”

The soloists last night were Miss Bell (soprano), Mrs Wilson (contralto), MrWV Izard (tenor) and Mr A. Millar (bass). Miss Bell has the advantage of possessing a remarkably clear voice, which she ha* learned how to use. She is evidently a musician, and has devoted mneb time to the' study of the art. of phrasing so as to make the xpnsio suit the words without destroying the composer’s melody. She is, therefore, able to - avoid that strict adherence to the letter ■ which so frequently interferes with the ; spirit of the composition. Those who were present last night will remember the good judgment she showed in the opening phrases of “ Come Unto Him,” and in other places where the words are awkwardly placed in the text. In every case her reading was an improvement on that generally adopted. In the air “IKnow That My Redeemer,” this promising young lady showed that she is capable of giving much expression. Her reading will no doubt be greatly improved as she acquires experience, but already she enters into the meaning of what she sings in a manner that is highly creditable to her. Jflre Wilson sang very evenly, but somewhat tamely, though her phrasing is very carefully attended to, and her fine mellow voice enables her to more than satisfy her hearers. Mr W. Izard is a master of expression, and is perfectly familiar with the tenor solos of the The Messiah. To each of these he gave the appropriate style, the best of them being, perhaps, “Behold and See/’ which was remarkably effective. Mr A Millar revelled in the rapid runs wbfah seem too difficult for a bass voice, but • which he gave with ease and accuracy. Ho follows the text occasionally where he might with advantage depart slightly from it, had he but sufficient confidence in his own judgment. His voice was in splendid order, and but for an unfortunate 'glip in “The Trumpet Shall Sound,” he would have fully, sustained his well-earned reputation. The choruses were taken with great spirit and crispness, and it is difficult to say which was the best. The “ Hallelujah,” being the most telling of them under /ordinary circumstances, is always the most 'appreciated by the general public. Last night it was magnificently sung, but the same remark may be made with regard to “Let us Break their Bonds,” “AndHa , Shall Purify,” “His Toko is Easy,” and . , many others.