"THE MESSIAH”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1188, 10 December 1924, Page 6

"THE MESSIAH”

OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. There is every indication of a very large uudience at the Opera House this evening when the Palmerston North Choral Society produces “The Messiah.” The choir is in splendid voice and- the rehearsal last evening was a big success. It is interesting to recall that the first performance of tins king of oratorios was given by a choir composed of boys and men from the Cathedrals of Christ’s and St. Patrick’s, Dublin. The principal soloists were Signora Avoglio, the well-known prirna donna of the day and Mrs Cibber, sister of Dr. Thomas Ame, the composer, a singer and actress described as “the first tragedian of her time.” The tenor and bass solos were sung by Bailey and Mason, members of the Dublin Cathedral choirs. In reviewing the presentation of the oratorio at Wellington on Monday evening, a critic said: —“Artistically the honours went to Miss Mina Caldow, the Auckland contralto, whose voice and personality aro admirably adapted to a realisation of all that is best in the music. Iler singing of ‘lie Shall Feed His Flock’ was marked by rare sweetness and purity of tone, and u depth of feeling which touched all beaus, but she even rose to greater artistic heights in depicting the agony of pity m the air ‘He Was Despised and Rejected ot Men.” Madame Amy Woodward who will sing the heavy soprano music, has; a lonsr list of successes particularly in >Veiiington. In “Elijah” she recently created a veritable furore, and her share of the programme to-night will lie not the leas enjoyable. Mr Sydney Butler, of Christchurch who has been selected to fill the tenor role, is a singer of Dominion wide reputation, and it is generally conceded that he has no superior in this class ot music. The Palmerston North baritone, Mr W. Watters, has had an undeniable compliment paid him by being 1 again asked to come before the public on this occasion, especial/ as the other singers are all from otner cities,