CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 96, 1 August 1879, Page 2

CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT.

• ■ • . .-. The Foxton Choral Society gave its last concert fur the season on Wednesday eveuiug fourth, at the Public Hail, under the conductorship of iMr J. it. Russell. The attendance was extremely creditable, the front seatd heing fillod, showing in a marked manner the esteem in which

the Society* performances arc- held. The audience throughout manifested very great interest in the various performances, and we believe were highly delighted with the outortainment, as was shown by the euthusi astic applause accorded to many of the singers. The" overture to the first part was the " Satanella valse," a piece founded upon several airs from Balfe's charming opera of that name ; played as a duet, it was given with great taste. The same remark applies equally to the "Madame Angot valses," which formed the overture to the second part, and which were gone through in a brilliant manner, despite the defective nature of the Society's piano. At this point, we may remark that dm* ing the last ten years, the pianoforte has come into greater prominence as a musical instrument for solos than it had before. The magnificent performances of C. Heller, Madame Goddard, MissCharbonnet, and others have created a taste for really good pianoforte solos, and it might be desirable for the Choral Society to consider whether it would not be posx sible to introduce a little more instrumental musio into their concerts. Many persons never think of entering the Hall until the overture is just about being finished, when a general influx takes place in time to hear the fiTst song. This is in very bad taste, and is unfair to the performer, as it completely spoils the whole effect of the piece. It would be quite justifiable, we incline to think, if the managers of the Society were in future to refuse admission during the overture, or in fact during the performance of any piece, on the ground that it is not right to spoil the pleasure of a great number for the convenience of a few. The pieces are as a rule very short, and we feel sure every sensible person would agree with the above suggestion. The choruses were all given in good time and style, and showed signs of an improvement We were pleased to notice that the parts were better sustained than on previous occasions, both altos and basses being well represented. The consequence was that a higher class of musio was attempted. The best chorus selected was undoubtedly Webbe's beautiful glee, " When winds breathe soft." 1 This, although a little unsteady in places, was given inAuanner, considering the diificuHHHfeurse we speak comparativel^^lwture of the piece which reflects high credit upon the Society. The various movements were gone through in a style which showed that the singers had been drilled into a perfect appreciation of the theme, ■which is the essential feature of good singing, whilst the broken parts and fugue passages were taken up with great precision. " Hail to the chief, " the opening glee, was given very correctly, +he fortissimo passages " Roderick !" having an excellent and telling effect. The words are from Sir Walter Scott's delightful poem, the " Lady of the Lake," and are the song of Roderick Dhu's people when welcoming him upon his return, arf he is rowed up Loch Katrine. The composer has caught most completely the poet's meaning, and i the shout " Roderick !" followed by a dead pause was most effective, especially as the sound died away, " Ho, ieroe." The quaitet and chorus, "By this hand," from Maritaaa, went in good style, although a slight unsteadiness was perceptible at the beginning. The chorus, however, sounded exceedingly well, especially the closing ppp bars. The beautiful barcarole and chorus "Behold the morn," from Masaniello, was a, fine piece of music, the chorus being given in grand style, and elicting hearty applause from the audience, whilst the high G which recurs frequently in the barcarole, was taken in a clear manner. The last chorus was a pleasing little glee entitled "Ye little birds," which went freely and well. There was only one trio, "The Magic Wove fccarf," from the Mountain Sylph. The fact that this piece is taken from an opera but little known; is rather a disadvantage, for like all operatic pieces there is a hidden meaning under the words, without knowing which it is impossible to fully appreciate the great musical beauties of the piece. The renderiug on Wednesday evening was a little faulty in places, but the piece contains such sweet harmony, especially the last part, " I'm spell bound, O mercy," that it could not help 'being attractive. Only two duecs were given — one in each part. That in the first was the familiar and popular one from II Trovatore, " Home to our Mountains," which was given in a way that elicited an encore/ 'part of the duet being re peated. In the second part, "Let us call back the time," was given in a very ' pleasing manner. "The Happy ' Hunter" (duet) was omitted the programme, owing to the iinfortunate loss of the music book. Coming to the songs, we noticed the absence of one of the Society's lady performers,' whose sweet voice has often charmed the audiences at Foxton concerts. However, in tolos the concert of Wednesday last was by no means deficient. The first given was "The Lost Chord," a song which thoroughly suited the deep bass voice of the gentleman who gave it. " 0 how delightful," a vocal waltz, was given with all the energy and clearness the lady who eang it always throws into her performances. 'Jhe song, however, was hardly suited to her

voice, though the upper A was given with marvellous clearness. "I fear no foe," one of Pinauti's latest songs, was given effectively, and elicited warm applause, though the piece is of too high, a class to become very popular as a concert song. "Anita," by John Blockley, was given by a lady who has not before appeared in Foxton as a soloist, but who succeeded in pleasing the audience by her rendition of the song, especially in its careful execution and clear enunciation. An encore was responded to with Olaribel's song " Five o'clock in the morning." 'l'he audience began to get in a playful mood when the gentleman cume forward to ting "Will o' the Wisp," and furiousiy encored him. whilst they persisted in tramping noisily to the time of the " Good Rhine Wine," with which he responded. The " Three Fishers went Sailing '' was given with great feeling by a lady who always sings with appreciation, and was enjoyed by a!l who heard it; "The Arab's Farewell," and "Jessie, the Flower of Dunblane," met with fair success ; whilst " When other lips," (Bohemian Girl) was given in very fine style, by a lady who possesses a marvellously sweet voice, and a pronounced encore was responded to with that old favourite, " The Good- Bye at the door." A feature of the second part was a violin solo, consisting of selections La Sonnambula, which were played with great taste. Before closing our remarks we would give a well deserved meed of praise to the two ladies who accompanied throughout the evening, their performances contributing largely to the success of the concert. At the close of the concert, the hall was rapidly cleared,, and the annual ball in connection with the Society took place, the music being supplied by members. Dancing- was kept up until about 4 a.m., when the merry party dispersed, delighted with both the concert and the dance.