CONCERT AT THE CHORAL HALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9469, 13 September 1889, Page 5

CONCERT AT THE CHORAL HALL.

■ <&■ A concert under the direction of Herr Carl Schmitt was held last evening at the Choral® Hall, before a crowded audience. The programme was of great excellence. The first number was a new composition by Herr Schmitt, the overture " Militaire," a work showing musician-like skill and good orchestration. It was played by the Choral Society's orchestra, the composer conducting. There was faulty intonation in the performance, as well as want of precision. Messrs. Martin, Hookey, Hamerton, and Charter (the Grafton Orpheus Club), sang one of their agreeable quartettes, "A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sail" with fine effect. Miss Quinn did not achieve so pronounced a success as upon her first public appearance. Her pure and sweet voice was certainly as pleasant to listen to, but the song " Robert, toi que j'Aime " is at present unsuited for her—in fact, it would be altogether unreasonable to expect her to sing it with its fine dramatic effect, considering that she is yet but a debutant It is an aria which she may choose with advantage when she has had further study, and when she has overcome the nervousness natural to so young a singer. The piece was rendered in English, and the pure enunciation with which it was given, together with the fine quality and good intonation of the lady's voice, so pleased her hearers that she was recalled, when she bowed. The audience were persistent, however, and Miss Quinn had to repeat part of the song. Professor Schmitt played the pianoforte accompaniment. It was rather loud in some passages. An instrumental duet, Kretschmer's " llomanco," was played by Professor Schmitt (violin), and Mr. G. A. Paque (violoncello), with string accompaniment. In the solo violin part the stopping was not perfect, and some false notes were played. Otherwise the general effect of the selection was good, and it was greatly applauded. Mr. Impey was the conductor in this number. Mrs. A. Tayler and Mr. W. Martin sang a duet from Herr Schmitt's " Opera a Cazille." There was an orchestral accompaniment played so loudly that Mrs. Tayler's solo could not be heard. Wagner's powerful "Tannhauser March," as rendered by tho orchestra was creditable except that it was not in tune, and was at first uncertain. The impressive finale was well played. Professor Schmitt's cantata, "Art and Mind," was next performed. The tenor solo was well sung by Mr. W. Martin, and that for bass voice by Mr. A. Tayler, whilst the quartette was rendered by Mrs. Tayler, Misses Buckland and Reeve, and Mrs. Burgess. In the chorus there was a great preponderance of female voices, and the tenors were very weak. Professor Schmitt conducted, and at the end of the cantata he received a large number of bouquets, whilst there was general applause. Addressing the audience, Professor Schmitt said that about twelve mouths had elapsed since the first performance of the cantata, and it had since been translated into German, and had been performed in Germany with great success. . He thanked the audience for the warm appreciation shown that evening. He also thanked the orchestral and vocal performers who had assisted in its performance. The third part of the programme was opened with a grand concert overture, composed by Mr. G. A. Paque. This is written in strict overture form. The work opens with a mae-itwo movement, in a broad and dignified manner, leading up to what is a pleasant first subject given out by the first violins, and finally taken up by the whole of tho orchestra. The 'cellos and second violins, accompanied by flutes and strings arp&jtfio, give out the second subject. A well-chosen figure by the oboe, and answered an octave lower by the bassoon, accompanied by strings staccato, 'pianissimo, is a happy feature in an overture, which is altogether melodically worked out. The climax leading to the recapitulation is scored in a masterly manner, and throughout the orchestration is picturesque and pleasing. Mr. Paque himself conducted, and maintained good control, whilst he gave the points to the various instruments with decision. There was evidence, however, that the work had not been sufficiently rehearsed, and the band was unsteady. The composer was greeted with loud applause at the close of the performance of his overture, and returned to the platform to bow his acknowledgments. Mr. W. F. Chambers sang "The Angel at tho Window " with admirable enunciation and in lino style. The piece was encored, and Mr. Chambers then rendered, " Down They Go to the Sea," and this was free from a defect which had characterised his first number, want of duo expression. A pleasant feature in his singing is the fact that every word is distinctly heard. Mercadante's cavatina, " All, s'estinto," was sung by Miss Knight with such splendid effect that the lady was recalled. As an encore piece, she chose "Alas! Those Chimes ! " but in this she was not successful. Her phrasing especially was bad. Miss Bnckland and Miss A. Yates played a violin and pianoforte duet, which gained loud applause. Amongst the best numbers of the concert must be classed Miss Baume's song, " Mio Fernando," from "La Favorite," one of the best of Donizetti's operas. Miss Baume's well-toned and well-trained voice was heard to fine advantage, and she bowed in acknowledgment of repeated applause. Another glee by the Grafton Orpheus Club, "I Loved a Lass," was encored, and the singers rendered in response "Trust Her Not." The concert closed with the waltz " Delaware Klange," played by the orchestra, of whom Mr. A. Eady was leader.