AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 17039, 14 December 1915, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL UNION. « THE MESSIAH.” Tlic large audience which assembled | at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening] showed its appreciation of the appiopriatencss of tho Christchurch Musical Union in presenting Handel’s immortal oratorio, “Tho Messiah,” in tho very hearty manner of its applause. To many the performance of the noble work had a deeper significance, for it seemed at this distressed time and at this distance from the centre of the great world trouble, almost an appeal for the influence of the Messiah ’ to bo felt over the earth, that “ peace and good will ” might bo extended towards men. It was most appropriate then, that the grandest and most sublime ot all oratorios should have been chosen for the last concert of the Musical Society’s season. The performance uas characterised by that fitting dignity, gtace and majesty of representation that the occasion demanded, and the society may rest thoroughly assured that its efforts were successful beyond expectation considering the depression under which it has laboured of recent times. “The Messiah” is a creation of inspiration, for Handel himself, m describing his own sensations in writing the work, said: —“I did think I did see all heaven before me, and the great God Himself.” It may not be out of place, in passing, to mention that “The Messiah” was first produced in Dublin on April 13, 1742. The performance was a beneficiary one *n aid of poor and distressed prisoners for debt in the Marshalsea in Dublin. “So,” says an authority, “the first rendering of * The Messiah . literally meant the deliverance of captives.” The Musical Society’s choir was stiong numerically, but the orchestra was small; yet apart from minor inefficiencies ansi deficiencies tho instrumental section was very effective. The chorus was assisted by the Cathedral boys’ choir, which proved a tower of strength and helped to maintain the treble portion of the massive choral numbers in most satisfying manner. The boys sang vigorously, correctly and with an excellent appreciation of the requirements of tho occasion. _ The society has performed '* l lie Messiah on many occasions, under the control of different conductors, and it has so mastered the oratorio that a mediocio performance of it'nowadays could hardly be tolerated. It will be the opinion of most musical critics that the chorus work last evening was quite lip to the standard of the society's verj best days, if. indeed, it was not superior. Tho volume, balance, blend and evenness of the intonation wore admitable and the touch of the master hand was observable in the precision of attack. tho fine release of sentences and the ne,at closing of chords. The singing was expressive and full ot meaning. It was indeed a noble effort on the part of the combined vocalists. M here al. the choruses were sung so well it was more a matter of one’s personal predilections as to which or other lull number was tho better performed. 1 lie sociotv’s most ardent sympathisers cculd’ hardly have hoped to hear more finished presentations of the ehoia numbers, “Glory to God in the H idlest,” “0 Thou that Tellest, Lift Up Your Heads.” the sublime Halleluiah,” the short devotional choruses preceding the final number, and the massive and dignified closing chorus, “Worthy is the Lamb.” • As usua seme of the numbers were omitted on account of the length of‘the oratorio. The soloists were Miss Cara Ho Id gate (soprano). Miss Dulcie Mitchell (contralto). Mr L. Bowron (tenor) and Mi W. J. A. Schwartz (bass). M> ss Hold gate achieved quite a success, »ne sang with confidence and deliberation niid with every evidence of good tutoring- Her voice, which is fresh, attractive and of excellent quality, was perhaps a shade light when one considers the heavy demands made upon the soprano soloist, but her intonation was always pleasingly time, and she read the music well. Her stamina wa~ tested somewhat severely in Rejoice Greatly,” but the florid parts wore clearly defined and wliat sbe lacked in power was more than made up Ik her display of art. The recitatives were prettily delineated and with becoming character. Miss Mitchell made a most satisfactory debut as an oratorical soloist, and she is to be, complimented upon tho all-round excellence of he” work. Her several numbers were sung truly and faithfully, and with devotion and sincerity. Hoiintonation was also perfectly true and tho voice showed evidence of most excellent Training. The contralto vocalist in the “Messiah” was especially favoured by Handel, for in no other oratorio can more glorious solos be found for that voice. In Miss Mitchell Christchurch may claim to possess a thoroughly capable exponent of those numbers that arc contained in the Messiah. Her voico will become fuller, no doubt, with more mature years; at present she is well equipped in technique and has artistic appreciation. It is greater and richer volume that she still requires to make success complete Her best solo last evening was probablv “0 Thou that Tellest,’ f which might, however, without suggesting anything in the way o| detraction have been more joyous in inteiputative character. Mr Bowron and Hr Schwartz were not so successful. Neither sang with good effect, and on occasion their intonation suffered. Mi Bewron has a good tenor timbre in his middle register, but his upper notes were weak, uncertain and or pooi quality. Ho would bo hoard to more advantage, no doubt, in solos of a. different class. Mr Schwartz s technical equipment was quite unequal to the demands of “W hy Do the Nations.” tliei runs were indistinct and somewhat blurred, and tho rendering lacked fire and fervour. In numbers in quieter vein he was more at his ease, and sang interestingly. The orchestra had its shortcomings, due, no doubt, to want of persistent combined rehearsal more than to any other capse, but it accompanied excellently in many numbers and with sympathy, while” its performance of the “ Pastoral Symphony ” was refined and expressive. This the audience quickly realised, and the number was practically on cored. All things considered, the orchestra acquitted itself well. Dr Bradshaw conducted, and he io deserving of all praise for the splendid choral offeots which he produced. The organ parts, played by Mrs V. Livingstone, were effective and added to the general success of the evening. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “God’s Witness,” the principal film in the now programme which was presented at Everybody's Theatre yestevda y, was an adaptation of A. E. Milson’s novel, “ At the Mercy of Tiberius.” A grandson had 1 applied to his wealthy grandfather for monetary lit an angry scene the grandfather, who had disowned his kin because of his daughter eloping" with her music master years before, ordered the grandson from his house ami threatened him with violence. A flash of lightning killed the grandfather and the hoy fled from the scene bewildered. His sister, who had previously called on an errand ot mercy, had also participated in an,

angry scene, which had been overheard by the servants. Tho girl was arrested and tried on a charge of murder. Providence saved her, for one of tho servants discovered a picture impression of the tragedy on a window pano of the. room caused by the lightning. This led to tho girl’s liberation and subsequent happiness, for she became engaged to the grandfather s young friend to whom tho inheritance was left. A Keystone comedy entitled “ Only a Messenger Boy,” was a capital fun-producer. The “ Gaumont Graphic ” was more than ordinarily interesting. Among the many sections of the series were splendid pictures showing recruiting scenes in London, troops in training for the front, and snapshots of the King of Bulgaria and the Czar of Russia. The same films will he shown to-day. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The new programme of moving pictures presented at the Queen’s Theatre yesterday proved to be a particularly attractive* one, and was _ favourably received by successive audiences. The star attraction was the Iv.B. dramatic picture, “ Tho Knight of the Trails,” a production of tho Western type, cleverly planned, well acted and splendidly arranged in the matter of appropriate scenery. The two reels unfolded a story of great interest, and provided as many thrills and sensations as the .most insatiate patron of “ the movies ” could desire. The principal role was taken bj r William S. Hart, an actor whoso characterisation of cowboy roles has won him great popularity in America. “For His Mother,” an Edison dramatic film, told a story of filial devotion and self-sacrifice in an interesting way. Other supporting films were “ The Life Guard,” a Lubin comedy picture, with Billy Reeves in a new role as mirth-provoking as any of his preceding parts, “ Tunis,” a Pathe scenic film of considerable charm and beauty, and the latest ‘‘Topical Budget,” giving interesting glimpses of current events in Britain and on the Continent. The same pictures will be shown at to-day’s sessions. GLOBE THEATRE. The twelfth episode of ‘‘The Million Dollar Mystery,” entitled “The ' Elusive Treasure Box,” was the principal item at the Globe Theatre yesterday, and it carried the well-known serial story one stage further. Tho treasure box was drawn from the bottom of the sea by tho anchor of -a ship about to sail for the Bahamas. It was found by a sailor, who kept his ■discovery secret. When the vessel arrived at its destination the sailor was seen by one of his mates carrying the box ashore. A quarrel took place, and the box fell overboard. In the meantime the conspirators had discovered the whereabouts of the box, and sent an agent to recover it. The agent succeeded in his task and brought the box home to his employers. The reporter and the butler, however, managed to attend a meeting of the conspirators, and to gain possession of the box. In the final scene the box was dropped by a mysterious pair of hands down a well. The supporting programme included “The Australian Gazette” (topical), “Bertie’s Holiday” and “A Mistake in Typewriting ”, (comedies), and “She Walketh Alone” (drama). The same' films will bo shown at all sessions today. GRAND THEATRE. The programme shown at the Grand Theatre yesterday, contained the first picture of “Salisbury’s Wild Life” series. It was a film of high educational* value, dealing with the artificial rearing of trout, from the time the ova are spawned until tho fish are liberated in tho river. Tho various means h.v which the ova and the fish aro transported, were also shown. Incidentally some very fine specimens of trout were seen on the film. The star picture, entitled “Temper.” was the story of a man, whose vile temper drove his only son. from home. After a year the son was engaged to the sweetheart of his school days, and 1 returned home hoping to be reconciled to his father. The father, however, spurned his son, and in a violent scene tne latter, in defence of his mother, killed his father. The mother tried to save her son from tho consequences of his crime, hut her efforts were in vain, and he was arrested on a charge of murder. At the trial the jury, moved hv the eloquence of the prisoner’s lawyer, brought in a verdict of not guilty, and the young man returned to his mother and his sweetheart. The remaining films consisted of two comedies, /‘Bachelors’ Babies” and “ German Sausage,” and the oyer-popular “Eclair Journal.” The same pictures will be shown to-day. HAYWARD’S PICTURES. The Orchestral Society’s occupation of His Majesty’s Theatre last evening compelled Hayward’s Pictures to use the King’s Theatre, which was well filled by people who evidently appreciated the varied programme submitted. The principal item was a drama entitled “No Greater Love.” It took up the whole of the second part of the programme, hut as the story had been carefully thought out. and as the acting was good and tho photography clear, the piece did not drag, but maintained interest to the end. The plot followed William Le Queux’s book, representing a woman’s love for a man and her greater love for her daughter. Incidentally, there were introduced some scenes of graceful dancing and views of splendid homes in the fashionable world*. The dance entitled “The Vision of Salome ” was a very beautiful item in the storv. Tho host feature of the first part of the programme was the “Rathe Gazette.” As usual, it illustrated several phases of the war, notably the firing of French guns ana soldiers at play.' and it .supplied two cood photographs of General Jotfre and General French, both of whom were henrtilv applauded. Miss Anita. Stewart and Mr Earle Williams, two popular American moving picture actors, appeared in a. humorous piece, “The Sort of Girl that Came from Heaven.” The same programme will he given to-night, when the inures will be shown in His Majesty s Iheatu.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. The Empire Theatre, at Sydenham was well patronised last evening, when a new series of pictures was screened. The "star" film was entitled " Iso Greater Love." It was a photo-drama euphasising the love of a woman for her child. The story deals with * dancer who has a daughter, whom she wishes to defend from the perils of the world and sea comfortably settled. Pursuing her ambition she married a rich financier, and, when he gets into serious straits, compelled him to commit mnrder. But she. too, was ready to sacrifice, and the call coming, the dancer, at whose feet the artistic world paid homage, went West to save her child. Other pictures were " The Girl from Heaven" and the Gaumont Graphic. The programme will be repeated to-night.