CHORAL HALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4288, 11 August 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHORAL HALL.

If tho performance last evening of Sphor's " Last Judgment" did not realise the expectations formed of the result, much of the shortcoming must be set down to insuperable impediments to full practices by the members of the Society. In nearly every case a great deal depends upon the final practice immediately before public display. The weather on Monday made any practice almost impossible, and practice under circumstances so unfavourable was perhaps little better than none. This much, of explanation was necessary to account for anything like disappointment that might be felt. Although the Hall was not so crowded as is usual on similar occasions, there was, nevertheless, a very numerous auditory. With respect to the chorus, it lacked the necessary strength,—we could only count fifty-six voices in all, as compared with the strength of previous years ; and we noticed also that some of the most efficient of the society were not in the choir or orchestra. These circumstances could not have any other effect thaj to militate against the anticipated success. It was of course absolutely necessary that faith should be kept with the general body of the subscribers, and the difficulties were met and surmounted with excellent spirit. The opening chorus, " Praise the Lord our God," was, on the whole, satisfactory, but lacked fervour. The treble solo which follows, "He cometh with clouds," by Mrs. Mitchell, was well rendered, and also the bass 8010 which followed; but in this the effect was strained, although the execution generally manifested much culture. Indeed the want of fervour, which is to the interpretation of a composition of this character essential, was a very appreciable defect down to the fine tenor solo, "Andlo! a throne was set in Heaven." This, and the beautiful solo and chorus, " Holy, Holy, Holy," redeemed what was defective, ihe remainder of the first part, down to the quartette, "He shall guide them," with exception of an occasional uncertainty in the choruses, was tolerably well rendered. The bass solo, "Thus saith the Lord," which I follows the opening symphony of the second part, was well rendered; but the long and difficult recitative which follows was not so successful. The duet, " 0 Lord, remember my affliction"(tenorand soprano), was along way the best performance. The fine chorus, " Destruction is fallen on Babylon the mighty," was variable. The quartette and chorus, "Blessed for ever," was also well rendered. It is allowable to compare performance by the same person with previous success; but it would scarcely be just to compare the result of last evening's performances with the fine success achieved by the Choral Society in this oratorio some years ago. Fluctuations in all such bodies are inevitable. Although we cannot be lavish of praise upon the repetition of this fine work, it does not deserve adverse criticism. A little further practice would make good all that was last night apparently deficient. We may mention that there was some discrepancy between the printed book' circulated and the text which accompanies the score. This is rather misleading, and deserves attention.