CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5302, 13 November 1878, Page 2

CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

SroHK's " God, Thou art Great," and Macfarren's cantata, " May Day," may be taken to illustrate the force of coutr.ist more completely than any other two selections that could have been made from the works of eminent composers. The first-named master makes everything great which he touches—with him a musical phrase has often extraordinary significance, and m:is3ive breadth. The English composer is distinguished by exquisite harmony, brightness, and simplicity. . The composition of Macfarrwn selected last night, more than any other, is characteristic of the composer. Tlie chorus was not quite so strong as has been usual of late, but any shortcoming in this particular n-as compensated by a full attendance ln the orchestra. There was, however, no de ficiency that noticeably interfered with completeness of detail, JUI the most effective mem* bers of the society were an( j absence of some was j>robably favourable to greater precision. Mr. Vincent Rice conducted. The opening chorus, " God, Thou art Great," was very well rendered, but the musical volume was scarcely adequate to the majestic emphasis of its fine descriptive purport. This is not to be ascribed to any person for blame ; yet, such was the effect produced. Miss Edger sang the solo, " Thou E*rth, waft sweet Incense, r> with excellent effect. She was iu good voice, and her enunciation was clear and distinct. Mr. Ilarker snng the recitatire, "Be Dumb, ye Sinners," followed by the duet, "Children, Pray this Love to Cherish," which was rendered with exquisitely harmonised effcct by Miss Edger (soprano) and Miss Maunsell (contralto). The quartette which follows, "Walk, Ye," sung by Miss Edger and Miss Maunsell and Messrs. Burnliam and Harker, was very good. The final chorus, "God, Thou art Great," was excellent. In "May Day " the chorus (for parts), which formed, as it were, the prelude to what followed, was very effective, and elicited loud applause. The ladies who were selected for the more prominent p;uta were Mrs. Mitchell and Miss Corbett, and the excellence of the harmonised singing was as remarkable in thi3 as in the last case referred to. 44 The Hunt's Up" (part song) was very good, indeed. Mrs. Mitchell snng "Loyal Hearts" (recitative), and the son"-, Beautiful May," with the almost perfect accuracy, for which all her performances are remarkable. Miss Corbett's voice was distinguishable in the unison of the burden, 44 Hey, Nonny " which follows the refraiu. All the choruses were very effective, aud nothing appeared to be wanting to the full and complete effect of the delicious music. It was a 14 happy thought" which turned the occasion tb good account for J,, ve jy appropriate demonstration of loyalty. The Irince of Wales's Birthday this year is not holiday, it is a part of a holiday season which will not have expired until to-morrow. The suggestion that 44 God Save the Queen" should be sung by the choir, met with on instant rosponse on the part of vocalists, instrumentalists, and audience. The time heightened the fervourJof expression, and the 44 National. A.nthem" might, in a sense, have been included within the programme. Mrs. Mitchell took the solo part for soprano, and sang it admirably, the audience, |of course, standing "durinsr the performance.!