CHORAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9494, 25 April 1894, Page 5

CHORAL SOCIETY.

—».. - MENDELSSOHN'S "ELIJAH." The first concert by the Auckland Choral Society for this year took place last night at the Choral Hall, when a remarkably fine performance was given of " Elijah," the most admired of all Mendelssohn's compositions. A considerable time had been devoted to rehearsing the oratorio and in putting the finishing touches to the grand chain of choruses and arias. Consequently, the work was presented in a finished and brilliant style. The performance attracted a very large audience, many being obliged to stand. The interest manifested on this occasion was no doubt due to the immense popularity of the piece submitted, and was heightened by the engagement of Mr. A. H. Gee. the popular baritone, who was chosen to fill the important; part as the Prophet. There was a large muster of performers. Of sopranos there were 42, contraltos 33, tenors 16, baritones and basses 35, and in the band numbered 33, making a grand total of 159 singers and players. Herr Carl Sohmitt conducted with every care and vigilance, and is to be congratulated on the success achieved. Dr. Cox led the orchestra most efficiently, and was ably seconded by Mr. R. Yates, as chief of the second violins. The soloists were Miss Bleazard, Miss Reere, Miss Thorpe, Mrs. Carter, Mr. A. H. Gee, and Mr. A. L. Edwards. A distinct success was won by Mr. Gee in the delineation! of the character of Elijah. His vigorous declamatory style found ample scope in the difficult music attached to the title-role, which could hardly have been given to a more capable executant. His performances showed that he was thoroughly at home with the music, and great care was taken to give every note and word its fullest meaning. From Mr. Gee's opening, solo to the conclusion the baritone found favour with the audience, who rewarded him with frequent and hearty applause. In the Baal scene he was hoard to very great advantage, his delivery of the recitatives being most effective. Specially dramatic and forcible was his singing of the various appeals to too Priests of Baal, "Call him louder." # In the pathetic scene of the raising of the widow's son, whore the appeal of the prophet is made, "Give ma Thy Son," he sang with great feeling and passion, and equally meritorious was his delivery of the concluding bars, "Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God." The calm, dignified prayer, "Lord God of Abraham," received a magnificent interpretation. The great baas aria, "Is Not His i Word Like a Fire?"-— a song of great difficulty—was given with exceptional accuracy and power of voice, and at the close the singer was deservedly applauded. It would be hard to imagine anything more sublime than Mr. Gee s conception of the pathetic aria, " It is Enough," in which the prophet prays for death. As in every other instance where the singer had come forward the effort served to enhance the beauty of the music and to bring additional glory to the performance. The whole solo was exquisitely declaimed, and wonderful intensity of feeling and expression was thrown into the concluding phrases. Another success was also gained in the brief but pathetic recitative, "O Lord I Have Laboured in Vain," which was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. The concluding bass aria "For the Mountains Shall Depart," was omitted much to the disappointment of the audience. Miss Bleazard sang the whole of the soprano music in a fairly satisfactory manner. It was apparent from the first that the part was rather too much for her. However, she sang her solos intelligently and with unfailing expression, though in the matter of vocal production she was not always correct. Her most successful interpretations were in the recitatives, "There is Nothing," "Behold, a Little Cloud," and the soprano part of the great double chorus, " Holy, Holy, Holy, is God the Lord." The brilliant ana, "Hear ye Israel," and the solo, "What Havel to do with Thee," each received a careful delivery. Miss Reeve sustained the contralto portion, and gave a meritorious rendering of her different numbers; the most liked was the lovely arioso, "Woe Unto Them." "Oh. Rest in the Lord" was sung, as far as intonation is concerned, correctly enough, but the executant's voice is not sufficiently sympathetic for solos of this kind. Mr. Edwards delivered the tenor music with care and good judgment. The only weakness exhibited was in the high notes of the recitative " Ye People Rend Your Hearts," where the singer was obliged to force his voico to produce the intervals. The exquisite song, "If With All Hearts," and the aria " Then Shall the Righteous Shine," both received extremely effective . renderings. The concerted pieces went capitally. The trio of the Angels— of the loveliest and most expressive of all trios " Lift Thine ; Eves to the Mountains," was most effectively sung by Miss Bleazard. Miss Reeve, and Miss Thorpe. Equally impressive was the delivery of the simple, but beautiful, chorale, " Cast Thy Burden on the Lord," efficient i service being here lent by Miss Bleazard, Miss Reeve, Messrs. Edwards and Gee. I Great praise is due to both chorus and orchestra for the sympathy they displayed with the spirit of the work, and the success- \ ful manner in which they met the no slight j demands of the music for executive precision and delicacy. The quality of the voices was fresh, bright, and resonant, and they were well balanced. The volume of tone emitted by the sopranos was very fine, the contraltos acquitted themselves admirably, the tenors sang out well, and gave a good account of themselves, while the basses sang splendidly, with great weight of tone, and attacked their various leads with precision and spirit. The opening chorus " Help Lord 1" received a capital interpretation. The tenors gave out their leads clearly and effectively in the opening part, but i» the closing phrase, " Ami, the Rivers," their intonation was at fault. The lights of shade of expression were carefully observed by all, and in full harmony the voices blended very pleasingly together. In the chorus, "Yet Doth the Lord," the tenors were very feeble. The basse», however, attacked their leads resolutely,, and gave a capital foundation to the whole number. The serenely beautiful chorale, " For He, the Lord Our God," was given with great weight and taste. The stirring double chorus, " Baal, We Cry to Thee," was delivered with passionate energy, , while in regard to steadiness and precision little fault was to be found. However, if the tempo had been quicker the effect would have been greater. In "The Fire Descends From Heaven " the executants exhibited signs of unsteadiness at the commencement. However, in the brief closing , movement in i broad harmony they sang well , together, and the pianissimos were carefully attended to. Other excellent choruses were, " Thanks be to God," Woe to Him !" "He Watcheth Over Israel," "Behold God the Lord," and the concluding number " And Then Shall Your Light." A special word of commendation is due to the Band for their careful delivery of the sombre and despairing overture found in the first part of the work, and for their finished playing of the accompaniments, which was unusually refined. It has been suggested | that a second performance should be given of this oratorio which should be open to the public. No doubt the committee will comply with this wish, and give a re-production at an early date.