AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7827, 22 December 1886, Page 5

AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

"THE MESSIAH." La&t night, in accordance with their uqual custom at the commencement of the Christmas season, the Auckland Choral Society gave a performance of Handel's "Messiah" in the Choral Hall, this being the first of their concerts for the season of ISS6 7. There was a full attendance, and the performance of the oratorio was throughout of a thoroughly efficient and satisfactory character, under the able conductorship of Herr Carl Schmitt. The soloists were Mrs, Upton (soprano), Miss Culpan (soprano), Miss Rita Tole (soprano), Mrs. Edger (alto), Mrs. Eady (alto), Mr. E. flarker (tenor), Mr. P. C. Hamerton (tenor), Mr. G. Harker (bass), and Mr. A. Tayler (bass). After the opening overture, which was given with good execution and correct time, Mr. E. Harker rendered the recitative, " Comfort Ye My People," displaying excellent voice in tone and expression, which was well marked in the more declamatory as well as the softer passages of the number, and this was equally displayed in the air, " Every Valley shall be Exalted," the only fault which could be found being a little lack of strength and vigour when such qualities were demanded. In his subsequent solos, and especially in the air, "Behold and Sse if There be any Sorrow like unto His Sorrow," Mr. Harker sang with excellent appreciation of the spirit of the work. Mr. G. Harker was an effective bass, his power in this respect being well displayed in the air "The People That Walked in Darkness." Miss Rita Tole gave the beautiful recitatives, "There were Shepherds Abiding," "And the Angel Said Unto Them," and "Suddenly there was with the Angel" in a voice of very pure tone and expression, combining with musical correctness a clear pronunciation of words always agreeable to hearers. Mrs. Edger gave a very sweet and tasteful rendering of the air "He shall Feed his Flock," which followed the reoitation, "Then shall the Eyes of the Blind be Opened." Miss Culpan sang with musical finish, and in thoroughly appreciative style, the air, "Come Unto Him," the tender beauties of the air being very well and tastefully brought out. The air, "He was Despised and Rejeotad," was sung by Mrs. W. Eady, whose first appearance on this occasion showed her to be an accomplished musician. The air was given in a full and rich tone of voice, with thoroughly appreciative expression and musical accuraoy. Mrs. Upton sang the air, "But Thou Didst not Leave His Soul in Hell," with good taste, and excellent effect. Mr. A. Tayler gave a vigorous and effective rendering of the trying air, "Thou art Gone up on High." The chorus was excellent throughout, and it was generally remarked that the Society had never before shown to better advantage. Each of the well known choruses in the oratorio was admirably rendered ; among them, the best known of all, " Unto us a Child is Born," being sung in a most effective and appreciative manner, and "The Hallelujah Chorus" displaying with good effect the strength and efficiency of the orchestra and chorus. The instrumentalists executed their part of the concert in a very efficient manner, under the leadership of Mr. C. Hemu*, and contributed much to the success of the very excellent and agreeable performance of the oratorio.