UNDER THE PALMS

Northern Advocate, 14 October 1893, Page 4

UNDER THE PALMS

The above popular Cantata was rendered in the Presbyterian Church, Whangarei, on Wednesday evening last, the tlth inst., under the auspices of the committee of that body. Recently a new gallery for choir accommodation was erected at considerable expense; the builder being Mr R. Keyte, of this town. In order to defray the expanse, the idea of producing the above; musicalN composition was mooted,.' an^L thereafter immediately' earned-(i nto ■.■ effect. The wisdom of such ; A step was amply proved V»v itijie u&qiialifiejEL .success; those^Tn connection with thel whole affair. The •church was literally packed with a most critical and appreciative audience. The piece which i& a musical exposition of the return of the children of Israel from th? Babylonian captivity was commenced with the stirring chorus " Wake Captives Awake," and each solo and chorus was executed with a spirit and.. verve which have not before been excelled in any musical performance in Wliangarei. The choruses were rendered in a most taking manner and met with universal approval. The soprano solos were taken by Mrs. H. H. Sissons, the Misses Simpson, R. Rust, and McMillan, the latter of whom also took the somewhat trying obligate in "Oh Jerusalem." The alto solos devolved upon Misses Rust and J. Simpson, and Messrs Barton, J. R. Reyburn, and P. Calkin provided the tenor solos, whilst the bass solos were given effect t to by Messrs Woodhouse, C. Culpan, J. D. MoKenzie, Turney and Rust. The soloists throughout gained the highest kudos for their various productions. In a performance such as this, where each of the soloists executed their separate parts with such decided success, it would be invidious to particularise any one individual, suffice it to say that the general concensus of opinion was that the ladies j and gentlemen were never heard to better advantage.