THE SACRED CANTATA AT ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7128, 4 May 1891, Page 3

THE SACRED CANTATA AT ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

The sacred concorts given by St. Paul's Choir have invariably me* with con summate succors, both in attendance ami rtsults financially. The conceits them solves have always been of exceptional merit, inul the public have come to regird them \Mth cspeei.il f.uor. The concert on Fiid-iy evening was, notwithstanding the threatening aspect of the weather, Lugely attei ded, every available seat was occupied, and frjin a musical bt<uid point well worthy of .ill the support it received. The Rev. A. B Todd presided. The cantata " Joseph,'" is descriptive in music and verse of the principal events of Egypt's savior, together with a running sketch of his life from the time that ho tended " his father's flocks with tendorest circ," to the time of the reunion of the family, in the land of Egypt. The personations represented were Joseph's sister (Miss Peterson), Joseph (Mr Dorward), King Pharoah (Mr Gardiner), Queen (Miss L Mainland), Princess (Miss M'Kay), Angel (Miss Bollenhnpen), Butler (Mr CUthcirt), Baker (Mr M'Adam), Jacob (Mr Illing worth), Jud.ih (Mr Mollison), Reuben and Guard, Mr Frew, who acted also as con ductor, and to whose efforts the success [ of the performance depended. The : choir (numbering some 33 performers) ' and soloists were ably supported by a strong orchestra with Mr Barrett, leader (than whom few better amateurs have performed before an O-iinaru audience), Misses Richmond and E. Frew (first violins), Miss L. Mollison and Mr Procter (second violins), Mr Pileher('cello) Mr F. M'Leod (joruet), Mr N. Meldrum (trombone), Miss Cooke (piano), and Mr F. J. Kempshed (organ). It would be impossible (even if it were necessary) with the space at our command to give a detailed critique of every solo, recitative, and chorus, in the cantata, for there are 18 solos, 30 choruses, and nearly 40 recitatives. Although they all brought out the powers, and exhibited the careful training of the choir, still there are several items worthy of especial mention, and some of the passages in the cantata are particularly brilliant. In the first part Miss Paterson (as Sister), filled her part with success, her best solo being "Give ear, 0 Shepherd." Mr Darward had heavy work as a soloist throughout the cantata. His singing is sympathetic and his solos " It is not in me, O King," and " I am Joseph," were very fine. The duet "I'll guard well," by Miss Paterson and and Mr Dorward was a fine piece of harmony and well rendered, Mr Frew's solos, as Reuben, were warmly applauded. (Mr Waddell was to have tilled the role of Reuben but became indisposed.) Mr Illingworth, as Jacob, sang his solos with I taste but was hardly powerful enough ; still his air " My days shall be filled with mourning" was sung with a phintiveness of expression that suited the item, Mr Mollison's singing in the part of Judah was well received. The solo by Miss Mainland " Gladly 0 King of might" was j splendidly rendered, as also were her ! other solos. The duet " All honor," by Miss Mainland and Mr Gardiner (King and Queen) was as fine a concerted piece of ! vocalisation as there was in the whole cantata. To Miss Bollenhagen (Angel), as a soloist the first place of honor is due. Her singing is always well received, and her rendering of the recitative "In slumber profound," and air "Nights sable mantle," made them worthy of the highest praise. Messrs Cathcart and M'Adam sang the parts of the Butler and Baker respectively with ease and effectiveness. The solos allotted to Miss M'Kay (Princess) were taken with precision and sung with sweetness and finish. It should be mentioned that the violin obbligatos by Mr Barrett to the solos of "Night's sable mantle " The sound of revelry," " Shed no blood,"' and " The child is not," were played with a power fulness of expression rarely heard in Oamaru. The cantata concluded with the full choruses "Shout aloud, Jehovah's Praise," and "Praise to Jehovah," which were powerfully rendered, and were a fitting conclusion to as an enjoyable and interesting a sacred concert as has yet been given by St. Paul's Choir. The collection in aid of the Organ Fund amounted to Lll 15s 3d, which Mr Todd said was, considering the dullness of times, highly creditable one. A hearty vote of thanks was passed by acclammation to Mr Frew and the choir.