AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9097, 4 July 1888, Page 5

AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

" ELIJAH."

The Auckland Choral Society rendered the oratorio " Elijah " yesterday evening at the Choral Hall, before a very crowded audience. There was an excellent attendance of the performers, the chorus numbering 140 singers ; and to them is mainly due whatever success attended this production of Mendelssohn's grand composition, for whilst the choruses were sung with admirable precision and fine effect, the solos, we regret to say, were not so successful. It was unfortunate that Mr. Harker, who was cast for the tenor parts, was suffering from a cold, and his place had to be taken by Mr. E. Hosking, who was evidently unprepared to sing at short notice the difficult passages which fell to his lot. Mr. A. Tayler was clearly overweighted in the character of "Elijah" (bass), and his singing, except in one or two brief instances, altogether lacked the power and emphasis so necessary for the principal part in this work. Miss Stephenson, who was the soprano soloist, has a sweet, pure voice, and of good compass ; but the effect of her singing was marred by faulty articulation, much of the expression being therefore lost. The alto solos were rendered by Mesdames Edger and Burgess. A full orchestra was present, and though the accompaniments were splendidly played, the danger which always presents itself when a large number of instrumentalists are assembled was observedin some cases the soloists were handicapped through the accompaniments being too loud. The first number in " Elijah " bo attract attention is the recitative, "Ye People, Rend Your Hearts," which leads up to the air, "If With all Your Hearts," and here Mr. Hosking did not fulfil expectations, his voice being strained, especially in the higher notes. The chorus, " Yet Doth the Lord," was well sung, and created favourable anticipations of the manner in which the choir would render the more difficult pieces which were to follow. The volume of sound, however, was hardly as great as would be expected from so large an assembly of singers. The recitative and air, " What Have I to do With Thee," sung by Miss Stephenson and Mr. Tayler, precedes the chorus, "Blessed are the Men," another tuneful number, and after a short recitative, "Baal, We Cry to Thee!" is sung. This is one of the finest choruses in the work, and it was magnificently sung, being attacked with precision, whilst a grand ensemble was produced. There was a lack of spirit in the air, "Call Him Louder," by Mr. Tayler; but the quartette, "Cast Thy Burden," rendered by Miss Stephenson, Mrs. Burgess, and Messrs. Taylor and Hosking, was an excellent number. Another fine Chorus, "Thanks be bo God," concluded the first part of the oratorio. " Hoar Ye, Israel," an exquisite aria, was sung by Miss Stephenson with much taste, _ and Mrs. Burgess appeared to advantage in the recitative, " The Lord Hath Exalted," with Mr. Tayler, the intervening choruses being sung with excellent time, whilst the concerted number, "Woo to Him," was a fine selection, being rendered by the choir with becoming spirit and expression. " Lift Thine Eyes," an unaccompanied trio, was sung by Miss Stephenson and Mesdames Edger and Burgess with marked effect, whilst the short recitative "Arise, Elijah," rendered by the last-mentioned lady, was characterised by much expression, and conception of the composer's meaning. Mrs. Burgess also sang the solo "O Rest in the Lord" with great taste, and was loudly applauded. The chorus " Behold ! God the Lord passed by," was perhaps the best sung during the evening. The four parts, beginning with that set for the sopranos, were taken in succession with unfailing precision, ending in a magnificent ensemble, the sub-sequent passages from forte to piano being beautifully rendered. In the air "Then Shall tho Righteous," Mr. Hosking seemed to have recovered himself, and ho sang with good effect. " And Then Shall Your Light " was sung by the choir with the well-balanced effect which characterised all the choruses, this number terminating the oratorio. Herr Carl S.chmitt was the conductor of the concert.