GORE MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 856, 21 February 1901, Page 2

GORE MUSICAL SOCIETY.

" JOAN OF ABC." The Gore Musical Society, assisted by the Orpheus Oicheslal Union ami Mrs Blue (luvercargill), rendcied Gaul's historical cantata " Juan of Aic " at the Town Hall last evening in the presence of a very small audience. Prior to. the entertainment the Gore Brass Band kindly played several selections outside the Hall. While there is a considerable amount of heavy work in the cantata, it must be frankly confessed that the music for the most part is dull and uninteresting. It seldom rises above mediocrity ; in no part is the harmony rich or sparkling, and the listener carrier away only confused recollections of a negative quality. Certainly the lime occupied in preparing a piece of such length and diiliuuliy could easily bo more pro/itably employed in rehearsing music of a more pleasing nature. In the most essential pans, •' Joan 01 Aic" is tbin, inconclusive, and unsatisfactory. However, the Society pave a very creditable rendering of the piece, all things consi .ered, although a slight tendency towards slovenliness was visible more than once. This was easily accountable by the disheartening emptiness of the hall. The programme was opened by an evertuie (" The Bronze Horse"), excellently played by the Orpheus Orchestal Union, under the baton of Mr C. Steans, Miss E. Dewar accompanying on the piano. Mr Mayo condueled the cantata, Miss Elsie Green presiding at the piano. After the overture Mrs Blue sang with artistic taste " Bid Mc to Love, Mr 0. Hubener supplying a violin obbligato with equal success. Of the choruses in the cantata (which was accompanied by the Orpheus Orchestral Union), " A Shepherd Maid has Passed," splendidly given, was probably the besi. The duet following ('-Full Plows the ltiver"), by Messrs Cookson and Bowler, was also much enjoyed, and possessed great merit. Mrs Blue's solos were sung with rare expression, her best efforts being "A King—a Simple, Simple Bing," and "Is it Here that I Miut Die?" The chorus " On, to the Battle, On !" which is one of the best in the piece, was somewhat disappointing from the fact that the male semi-chorus was much too tamely rendered. The full chorus, however, was given with good spiiit. The intermezzo by the orchestra, following the choruo " She Comes," was satisfactory, and the final chorus "Her Deeds will Live and Kenmin" was marked by a well-balanced volume of sound. Prior to the interval, Mrs Blue sang "Ob, for the Bloom," and, in response to an emphatic encore, " 1 Couldn't, Could I?"