THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6164, 19 August 1881, Page 5

THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

Aw excellent' programme—a / programme generally judiciously framed—a, good attendance,' and a capital performance, rendered the concert at the Choral Hall last night an enjoyment and a success—a success certainly, if it is to be estimated by the plaudits of the audience. Great expectations were formed from Herr Carl Schmit's acceptance of the position of the society's guide, counseller, and friend, and it is to give him no more than the meed of justice which is due to him to say that he has justified them. If it be remembered that the orchestra is composed of amateurs,, it will be understood how successful have been his efforts, how completely the members have identified themselves with those efforts, when it is said that it was completely under command, responded with the utmost promptness to the baton, and played with an ensemble not always to be found when amateurs constitute tho material to be worked up to excellence. There was no unevenness, no predominance of the violins or the wind instruments and only now and then a personal faltering. The concert opered with the overture to " Masaniello," given with good effect, and greeted with applause. To this succeeded the song of "For her-dear sake," by Mr. Forth, rendered agreeably, but with the evidence, ■ not objectionable in an, amateur, that the singer was'somewhat nervous. Mr. Forth has a good,voice, makes'no pretensions, and will be' better on each occasion that j-e is heard. Atrio forpiano, violin, andvioloj '!o, represented by Mrs. Judson, Mr. O. and Mr. F. Edger, whilst carefully }.-* i,i, was scarcely such a soleetion as coufJ~be effectively performed by amateurs, and so i.t hardly received the recognition which it deserved. On the other hand, the vocal quartette "Blanche" (Kuckcn), sung by Misses Fenton, Connell, E. Fenton, and Corbett, and Messrs. Forth, Corbett, Brett, and Moore, rendered excellently well, gained the favour which was its due, and which is usually accorded to performances of this kind. At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Archibald Clark announced that by desire Herr Carl Schmitt would play a solo on the violin, and he gave with a skill which elicited an encore " Souvenir de Bellini," by Artot. Herr Schmitt possesses complete command of his instrument, as might be expected of a performer of so great reputation.. He combines with very considerable brilliancy of execution, breadth of tone, and a capacity for expression which is too frequently wanting in this age of musical gymnastics. In response to the encore he gave - "Home, Sweet Home," with variations; and as Camilla Urso did not i give "The Last . Rose of Summer," attenuating the air in a striving after effect. The recitative and duet from Herr Carl Schmitt's opera of " Cazille " was pleasantly aiven by Miss Fenton and Mr. Edwards, the lady's voice appearing to great advantage. It is a voice of good quality and flexible, and capablo of greater results, for which we shall look with pleasure. The first portion of the programme concluded with the waltz '' Dele ware Kliinge," (Gungl) given exceedingly well, only not quite impervious to criticism, thoroughly enjoyable, and evidently enjoyed. But this was surpassed by the overture which opened the second part of the programme —"Poete and Paysan (Suppe). This was an admirable performance—a really remarkable performance for amateurs. It went from end to end withont a hitch, the stringed instruments being especially observable for precision and (if we may so term it) swing. The aria by Mrs. Dacre—" Alia Stella Confidente " (Rubandi), with violin obligato by Herr Schmitt—was one of the best portions of the entertainment. The violin was a trifle too much, in the desire of the performer to carry the vocalist and the piano with him. It was a graceful and facile performance, however. Mrs. Dacre sang exceedingly well, a mezzo-soprano voice of far more than average quality being revealed in careful execution, skillful modulation, and considerable power. She was persistently encored —an encore that was no flattery,— and repeated the last verse. Mrs. Dacre could attempt a good deal and achieve success with so rich and clear a voice so well under control. Tho symphony "Allegro and Adagio," No. 4 .(Beethoven), went well, butwasnotwithin the metier of the orchestra, at least so we take it. Mrs. Upton, in "A Dream Within a Dream," took her audience with her; but she will, we trust, not think us an unkindly critic if we say that she occasionally sang flat. Probably nes3 had something to do with this. "Hark, the merry drum," a vocal quartette for male voices, by Krugh, in which the parts were assigned to Messrs. G. and E. Harker, Forth, Corbett, Dawling, Brett, and Moore, went a little stiffly at first, improved greatly as it proceeded, and was on the whole very successful. The audience encored, and then it 3 concluding portion was delivered with a decision and verve which justify our criticism, and show to what excellence these entertainments can attain with practice and an accession of confidence. The "Festival March," composed by Herr Carl Schmitt for the reception of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh in Sydney, formed a felicitous conclusion of the programme. Stirring, skillfully scored, with a constant change of movement, it is a production of great merit, as sufficiently attested by the numerous editions of it which have been published in England. Herr Carr Schmitt is progressing with a flowing sail, but at the same time we should not do him justice were we not to notice that appearing last night as leader, violin soloist, the accompanist of Mrs. Upton on the piano, and the player of the violin obligato in connection with Mrs. Dacre's song, he showed himself an accomplished musician, a master of the difficulties of his art, and possessing the qualification not always found in. performers possessing great personal skill, of infusing his spirit into those with whom he is associated. Our remarks on last night's concert convey much praise and but little adverse criticism. It may be due, in a measure, to a most agreeable surprise, but those who were present will be aware that we have not awarded a merit in any respect greater than the circumstances justified. We believe that the Choral Society has an excellent prospect of attaining an even greater proficiency, and that the large attendance of last night will yet be greatly, exceeded.