FOXTON CHORAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 33, 20 December 1878, Page 2

FOXTON CHORAL SOCIETY.

The first concert of the third season took place on Wednesday evening last at the Public Hall, the acoustic properties of which appeared to excellent advantage, as the voices resounded through the building. The attendance was compani ively small, the threatening aspect of the weather no doubi partially accounting for this. Those however, who did attend, hud an e veuing of genuine enjoyment, as was testified by the loud plaudits which greeted the performances. It would be obviously unfair, considering the whole of the performers were amateurs, to enter into a detailed criticism of the various pieces upon the programme ; nor are we able to refer by n-une to the singers, as we notice in the advertisement they h:-,ve refrained from publishing them, and we are consequently bound to preserve their anonymity. During the recess, several changes have taken place in Ihe Society. A new conduc:oi (Mr J. 11. Kussell) wields the baton, and seveial new voices have joined. Two lady members of the Society, Avhose singing has often delighted Foxton audiences, we missed on Wednesday night, but we hope at next concert to see the ladies in question in their accustomed places. For a country society, the programme performed was of an ambitious character, and would be no disgrace to a much more pretentious Choral Union j but no hi'ch whatever occurred, and the conductor, by the mannei in which he hold the singers iv hand, and brought thorn up to the mark directly there was the slightest tendency to flag, showed the suitableness of the Society's choice in requesting that gentleman to take the reins of office.

Each part of 'lie programme began as usual with an instrumental overture. That in the fiist p.irt was Lecocq's waltz, " La Miu;jolain*»," which was perfouned by j.iano, cornet, and violin ; the vaiious parts being well expressed, though tlirt cornet appeared rather powerful for the other instruments. Tr*e overture for the second pai t was Seotson Clark's favorite " Marcheaux Flambeaux," arranged as a duet for piano and violin, and was given exceedingly well. The glees were all given with great precision, the chief feature being the exceedingly clear manner in which the piano and forte pass tges were rendered. This feature in singing i^ too often overlooked, but in the choruses on Wednesday night, the various modifications of volume were clearly brought out, en< hancing grea'ly the effect of the music. Weber's " Huntsman's Chorus," from

his beautiful opera " Der Freischutz." led off the vocal part of the programme ! and called foith tli3 loud plaudits of the audiodce — tho long sustained ' " Hark, f.^llow, hark " of the tenors, • and the riuging notes of tlie sopranos, ! " follow, follow," blending with great I beauty. Purcell'a part-sang, <! In ; these delightful pleasant groves," in | G Miuor, was well sung, the second j movement, " Let's pipe," being gone I through with great spirit, although : at one j>oint the tenors seemed inclined to falter ; the effect of the first part was very good. "Oh hush thee, my babie," (fijullivan), is a very rich piece of music ii 0 Major, the chords being light, and the harmonies sweet ; • the start was not taken up at the cor- ! rect point, but a really good chorus in ■m"zzo -forte and piano was given. " Hie thee to the forest," is a pretty p»rt-song, and went with vigor, whilst Mendelssohn's lovely part-song " Oh i sweet and laughing valleys, 1 ' h> f.ill of 1 grand h irmoaies and effect, and is one i of our most favorite choruses. In this, perhaps, more than any other of ! the chotuses, the sweetness of the harmonies was developed, and the | piece was a great treat. Wo would, before leaving the choruses, point out to the singers the necessity of having ono eye on the conductor, the other on the music, and especially to watch for the opening beat in each piece. | A bad start creates an unfavorable impression. Coming now to the duets, " I've wandered in dreams," for tenor and soprano, was sung very spiritedly, and elicited loud applause ; whilst " Morning," for soprano and alto, was beautifully rendered. In the second part the ever-popular Scotch duet, " lluntingtower," was given with great effect by a lady whose singing is always popular, and a gentleman who made bis debut in the piece. The dramatic element was ins troduced by the gcr.tleman in a inosc appropriate manner, and the duet thoroughly brought down the house. In response to a furious encore, the last threo verses were repeated. The last duet, "All's well," was given with effect, though the voices appeared hardly to blend. The songs were all very finely sung. The lady who gave " ijappybe thy dreams," which we regard as the gem of the evening, possesses a beautiful voice, of great richness and purity, fche added another to her laurels, and in response ,

to a terrific encore gave " Comin' thro' the rye," in a veiy coy manner, which elicited loud applause 1 . " Love's request, by a lady whose siuging is always greatly liked, was well received ' by the audience, the piece being given with great pathos and sweetness '* Eileen Alannuh," an Irish ballad, by J. K. Thomas, was given by a tenor who h:is not befoie appeared as a singer in Fox ton. The piece was effectively rendered, and encored, the last verse being repeated in response. The same gentleman sang with gieat spirit the solo to the " Miner's Song," in the second part. The piece is for male voices, and the chorus parts came out with a grand volume of sound, and elicited hearty applause. "We hope to hear it again. " Warblings at eve," was given in fine style by a lady who possesses a singularly powerful and olokr r>eh Vv>ica. Tho high notes wero brought out with great distinctness and lbrco. Had the song been earlier in tho programme, it would doubtless have been encored, 'as il fully deserved. A solo and quartette, <l Silver moonlight," was very i sweetly sung, as the audience tes'i> jfied by the applause which followed, I while " Nancy Lee," elicited a furious encore. " lhe Village Blacksmith," with which the gentleman responded, I was not so groat a success. "The | Englishman," was given by tlu conjduetor, and the vigorous and | finished manner in which it was sung caused it to be ro-do.nanded |by the audience, the fourth verse ; being given in response. The last j piece remaining to bo notice;] is a j quartette, '•' Iv mercy hear us," from ; Donizetti's opera, •' La Figlia del ' Bpggimonto." 'J he music is sublime, i and the rendering was excellent, the I voices blending beautifully. This ! piece \\e regard as one of the best pieces of concerted music produced throughout the evening. The Nai tiuiial Anthem as a full chorus, ter- ■ minated the concert. We must not ! omit to bestow due praise upon the ladies who accompanied so excellently, the piano performances being i given in a lirst class manner We j would also highly commend tho j energy of the indefatigable secretary, j Mr Slower, who, although not ap' i poaring in tho public performances, i bears the greater part of tho work | incidental to the Society's operations, and in preparing ior the concert.