"THE MESSIAH"

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1932, Page 4

"THE MESSIAH"

COAIBINED CHOIRS’ SUCCESS

PRESENTATION LAST EVENING

A year ago Palmerston North and district residents heard an excellent rendering of Handel’s famous oratorio, “The Messiah,” when the combined choirs under the .baton of Mr J. Holmes Runnicles gave an outstanding and very sympathetic performance of this great work. There are many who remember the excellence of that performance and that is why, at the presentation of “The Alessiah” last evening by the same choirs, under tho same very able conductor and practically the same high standnrd of solo vocalists, there was a very, large attendance at the Opera House. Unquestionably, the combined efforts of all responsible reached a high standard. “The Messiah" has a tremendous appeal and a.s such calls for tho most artistic blending of the choral voices and orchestra, as well as studied cure and impressiveness by tlie soloists. It is a beautiful work, containing some of the very highest ideals in oratorios. Founded on great epochs, including the Coming, tlie Life, tire Death and the Resurrection of Christ, it has great spiritual emotion and depth of feeling, and calls for treatment befitting its portrayal in music.

“The Alessiali” gives great scope for choral work and to Air Runnicles and his choristers no praise is flattering for the high excellence of last night’s presentation. The singers showed splendid balance of tone and depth of feeling; they knew wlmt they were singing and met every occasion in the oratorio with the spirit required, from the softest passages to the most vivid declamations; with a devout care for every phase. One was greatly impressed with their work in “And the Glory of the Lord Shall )>e Revealed,” the great “Hallelujah,” and “Worthy Is the Lamb.” Theirs was an excellent interpretation. No whit less beautiful and inspiring was the solo work; all the soloists showed outstanding capability, claritv of tone and an impressiveness in eacli passage. It would be difficult now to imagine a local amateur musical production of any kind without the charm of Aliss Naomi Whalley’s voice; and her talents are such in the Handel work that not only is there a popular demand for her appearance here, but in other cities she has sung it with merit. Those who heard her last evening realise that she sings just as beautifully as ever, without a flaw and reaching the highest pinacle of oratorical work. The beautiful recitatives and arias were all remarkably well done by the soloist, but Aliss Whalley was particularly sweet in the jubilant aria “Rejoice Greatly” ; in “I Know that Aty Redeemer Livetli”; and “How Beautiful are the Feet.” Her rich soprano was one of the most benutifill contributions to the presentation. Aliss Nora Green, who possesses a rich contralto voice, acquitted herself well in her first public appearance in 'oratorio. She was at her best m “He Shall Feed His Flock,” while the poignancy of the contralto especially was fully revealed in her interpretation of “He was Despised.” The baritone-bass part is not new to Air Win. Watters, and he fully equalled if not excelled Iris accomplishments of past years. The exacting “Why Do the Nations?” found him quite at home in Handelian music and he easily interpreted each passage with a robustness or tenderness which truly exemplified his, fitness to cover such a difficult set of compositions. A tenor new to Palmerston North, Air J. T. Battersby, of Hamilton, sang very effectively. His rendering of the “Comfort Ye” recitative and the aria “Every Valley” was very well done. He greatly pleased the audience and his return would be welcome.

But there would not have been the success achieved had it not been for the very meritorious orchestral playing. Blending with every phase of tlie vocal music, the instrumentalists reflected every light and shade of this great and beautiful masterpiece. Sacred music such as “The Messiah” calls for no less a standard of orchestral work than it does in choral, and Mr Hunnicles must have been very well pleased with the general musicianship. The orchestra, led by Mrs R. S. Law, gave a beautiful rendering, and no flaw could he found in this or in the playing of Mrs E. Barlow at the piano and Mr C. East at the organ. The “Pastoral Sympathy” was a very fine rendering. Palmerston North possesses a very rich blend of talent in its soloists, choristers and instrumentalists, and in “The Messiah” Mr Bunnicles has brought this to a pitch which delights all who hear it. Given such sublime music with an assembly of artists so

well equipped, it is not surprising that all who attended the performance came away deeply impressed with the quality of Handel’s oratorio and the artistry of those who interpreted it. At the conclusion of the tion, which was organised by Air Runnicies in aid of the Mayor.’s Relief Fund, tire Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) addressed the audience, thanking Air Runnicles for his effort; also the choir, orchestra, soloists, Air F. Jackson (for the use of the Opera House), Air AlcLeod and the Opera House staff, Messrs Hodgens and Gilmour (for stage work) and all who had assisted to make the entertainment the success it undoubtedly was. Mr Alansford added that the net takings would he well ahead of last year’s, hut he stressed the necessity for public support for such efforts if the food depot was to he kept open. He foresaw a greater task in the relief of distress in the city next year than previously. It was thought it would he necessary to close the depot this week, but now they would he able to carry on until the end of the year at least.