AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16741, 23 December 1914, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL SOCIETY. Difficulties of various kinds have beset tho Christchurch Musical Society during the past few years, and now when the most important part of tho organisation, the chorus, shows evident signs of returning vigour, the Society finds it difficult to obtain tho public support it used to receive. NYhataver may bo the explanations of the causes which have weakened the Society's popularity they do not now exist, so tar as the chorus is concerned, and last night the Opera House, showing nearly half of its seats unfilled, was not an encouragement to the organisation. The concert was worth more patronage than it received. Great critics have found m the •‘Hymn of Praise” the realisation of Mendelssohn’s greatest and loftiest ideas in symphonic composition. in the three great choral works by the composer it is usually ranked first, and even those who rank Mendelssohn as the best in tho second class of great composers, admit that m the Hymn of Praise” there is the sublime touen of . genius. The work is by no means new to Christchurch nor to the Society, but its treatment was never bettor so far as the chorus was concerned. A little more firmness m the attack, and more volume in tho tenors would have improved the performance, but taken generally tho chorus sang with commendable intelligence and coherency. ‘“The Night is Departing and tho great “ Gloria at the finale, were magnificent bursts of choral splendour, and served to remind the audience of the fact that the Society has not lost all the inspiration which characterised its performances undei Mr F. M. NVallace. Tho soloists, unfortunately, wore not so satistymg. Mr. I R Vincent was good ;n the tenor solos. In the first recitative and air he was j inclined to strain slightly, hut the reel- , tative. “ We Called Through the Dark- j ness”' was an excellent performance. ; Mrs Humes, who sang the soprano . solos, has a pleasing voice, anced, but it was not equal to the mauds made by the music. Mrs had to strain for the higher l otes and her voice grew hard as a result. Inere wore faults in her intonation, especially in the duet with Miss Lezaid, 1 Waited for the Lord ”-Tlie voices of the two sopranos did not blend. This unsympathetic duel was also noticeable -’ the St “ My Song Shall Aiwa™ Be Thy Werty ” sung bv Miss Lezard and Mr Vincent. In “ The First NY alpurgis Niriht,” written to Goethe's cantata of that name, the chorus■ wa* hardly -so precise in its singing, but tho ehonis, “ o Olue With Torches,” was a bnHiant achievement, eclipsed only by tho vig r- , nU o treatment of 1110 final choius, cloufted Now.” Mr S. Hawker sang fairly correctly in the bass and' baritone marts, though liis peculiar production , and stilted style worked into a staccato effect which was far from pleasing. Mr Hawker’s singing was monotonously even and was in this respect dull when compared with Mr Vincent s more ev nressive work m the tenor solo. Miss if! la ridge’s light contralto was admirable suited to the solo. * Know Not a Deed so Daring,” placed in the mouth of “an aged woman of the people, and' a tremulous nervousness heightencd tho proper effect of the number, making it one of the most interesting of the evening. The orchestra, augmented by the inclusion ot members of the Christchurch Orchestra, played very well considering the brevity of its rehearsals. Mr NV. H. Thorley conducted the two performances, and it was uue to him that the faults which appealed during the evening were so quickly covered up. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. “Jess of the Storm Country,” m which the ever-popular Miss Alarj Piekford Plays the leading role, attracted a very large audience to His Majesty’s Theatre last night. The programme is a very interesting one, and it was cordially received. Hie same films will bo screened to-night. FULLER’S PICTURES. j The varied and entertaining programme submitted at the Colosseum last night was quite to the liking of the audience, the detective drama, “The Woman with the Red Hair, sharing popular honours with the gazette war pictures. _ The programme will bo repeated to-night. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The current programmo at the Queen’s Theatre is a very strong one, and yesterday it was presented to large audiences, especially at the evening sessions. Tho war pictures and the scenes in and around Brussels, attracted much attention, and the principal drama, “The Sacrifice of Kathleen,” was also iu high favour. The same . films will be screened to-day. GRAND THEATRE. There were very large audiences at the Grand Theatre last night, and the day sessions were also well patronised. Tho picture showing liow the enormous “ skyscrapers ” are built was both novel and interesting, and the other films, covering a wide range, wore of merit, Vt to-day’s sessions the programme will mv repeated. Special pictures wiK be shown on Christmas Day from 2.30 to 5 p.m., and ron\ 6.30 to 11 p.m. GLOBE THEATRE. “ Tho Forest Dwellers ” was the principal film shown at the Globe Theatre J

yesterday. It was supported by several well-chosen items, of which the most) popular dealt with the war. The programme will be presented again to-day. SYDENHAM PICTURES. The attractive programme which includes “Jess of the Storm Country” was much enjoyed bv the audience ati the Empire Theatre last evening. Tonight the final screening of these pictures will take place. FLORENCE YOUNG COMPANY. Tlie Florence Young Company will give its opening performance on Saturday next at the Opera House, when. “ The Climax,” a three-act musical comedy, will be presented in the Dominion for the first time. The company includes the well-known and favouritar operatic- singer. Miss Florence Young, for many years, associated with the J. C. Williamson's opera companies, and , she is supported amongst others byMr Reginald Roberts, Air Claude Bantock and Air Edward Sherras, all - frequent visitors to New Zealand. The New’ Zealand tour is under the direction of Messrs Stephenson and Luiley, and tlie season in Christchurch is limited to five nights. Reserved seats may be secured at the Dresden, and day Bales 5 the Toy Cave. THEATRE ROYAL. It is not given to every novelist fa find one of his earliest books translated into five languages and staged in three. But this is the record of Maxwell Gray’s “ Silence of Dean Maitland,” which will bo produced at the Theatre Royal, under the direction of Mr Charles MacMahon, on Boxing Night, for a season of five nights only. The, play is_ an Australian production, produced in Australia by the Fraser Film Company, Sydney, and outsido its vivid interest as a story, it is as mechanically perfect as any of the imported films, and is a standing illustration of the dictum of the Federal Minister of Customs, that Australia can do just as good work in this direction as England* America or Europe. Following this’ feature Mr MacMahon Will produce a! photo-play of George R. Sims’s, “Lights o’ London,” on New Year’s night. Specially strong programmes are being arranged to support these two “ star ” pictures.