ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15613, 20 May 1914, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY;

| The second : concert,of the season by the | Auckland Choral Society was given in the Town Hall -/ last night, when' Haydn's i ever-popular, oratorio, "The Creation," was : tho work underlined for performance. It is; just .upon three years since the society 'last'- presented : ; the ) composer's; immortal work, v the S manifold beauties of which are likely to retain an undiminished hold .upon the musical public for 'many generations to come. Last night's ./performance, possessed; an added ./interest/ by reason of the fact that it was the ; last performance of the society to be conducted by tho .popular conductor,- Dr. -W. E.■ Thomas,' who has controlled its; musical destinies for .over; 13 years. During . a brief interval a suitable presentation was made to. Dr. /Thomas.•//'.'/ -...;

;/ On his • first appearance upon the plat-' form.'■' Dr. -.. Thomas was the recipient of hearty and prolonged applause. /:.;,/; .:. Speaking' generally, the '■; presentation of Haydn's oratorio was ono of the most successful the society has given, and there was a feeling of enthusiasm in both solo and choral ranks which was undeniable. The ' platform space was almost completely occupied by the performers, who did their utmost: to excel previous efforts. ;/<, ■ The exacting soprano solo / music was entrusted■■ to Madame Chambers, who, with the exception 'of a slight tendency to sharpness in some of her numbers, acquitted herself with much credit. Most 'of-- the soprano solos make big ; vocal demands, and , demand an exponent ; of . the highest intelligence, and it -is ;to tho credit of Madame Chambers that the impredion made hi the majority of her contributions was: so favourable as it was. A sound treatment was given of the recic, "And God' Said, Let the Earth,"- etc., leading into the beautiful and expressive aria, "With Verdure Clad." Here the soprano surmounted tho many . difficulties with apparent ease,. the handling of the more brilliant passages showing , much vocal judgment. The exacting notation of "On Mighty Pens," embodying many transient shakes and turns, was artistically interpreted, and proved one of Madame Chambers's most notable efforts. Mr. Martin Duff was entrusted with tho tenor solo , music, and his work throughout was nearly always of uniform excellence. His tenor voice is well placed and of pleasing musical quality, his enunciation distinct, and his-adherence to correct pitch eminently satisfactory. There appear to bo considerable possibilities in Mr. Duff's work, and given a little more animation in . his delivery of dramatic recitative passages, his readings will undoubtedly gam in variety of treatment. After his brief opening recitative Mr. Duff submitted an effective rendering of tho air, " Now Vanish Before the Holy Beams." Here and there the voice was a trifle .inadequate upon tho lower notes, but the general impression made was distinctly favourable. The descriptive recit., "in Splendour Bright," was an •intelligent effort, a very Smooth delivery being forthcoming of : the lines beginning, " With Softer Beams,'? etc. Mr. Duff s most popular solo opportunity lay' in the celebrated air, Native Worth, and hero his stylo was particularly well suited. A fine artistic : sense . and refined tone quality were displayed in the latter portion of the air in praise of "woman,. fair and graceful spouse." ■ ..'•■' ' The bass music was in the capable hands of Mr. Barry-Coney, who, notwithstanding a severe cold,, succeeded in the majority of instances to even surpass/ his usual liigh standard. Towards the close of the evening, his voice naturally showed signs' of strain in the later numbers, and eventually Mr. Coney found it impossible .to continue. His opening recitative, "In the Beginning," as well as the dramatic "And God Made the Firmament, received finished interpretation. The big bass air, "Rolling in Foaming Billows, demanded, and obtained, strenuous singing in its ascending intervals. The second Hon, to the words, "Softly, : Purling, etc., showed clearly Mr. Coney's ability to temporarily sing above, a cold,; since, every phrase "was: sung with much taste and expression. A striking voicing of; the recitatives describing the , creation of animal life must be placed to Mr. Coney credit. The concerted numbers in the hands of the principals embraced the popular "On Thee Each Living Soul Awaits" and "Most Beautiful Appear. Tho blend of voices in ■ these was not wholly satisfactory, while the balance of tone was most frequently in favour of ; the

soprano... lt ,: The many choruses were for the most t>art sung in an impressive manner. That" pre-eminent favourite, "The Heavens Are Telling," with its complexities increasing as the chorus progresses; was given with telling sonority, an almost stupendous effect being produced in the finale. The jubilant and melodious "Awake, the Harp," found the leads being taken with precision, and the more; involved part-writing clearly sung. "Achieved is the Glorious Work" (the second chorus of that name) showed vocal resource, and the doable fuguo obtained desirable alertness on the riart of the choir. The florid "The Lord, is Great," heard in conjunction with the harmonies of the soloists in the trio, secured an adequate sense of balance. Chorus portions coming in immediately after solo and concerted sections by the principals, included, "Despairing, Cursing Rage," with its imitative entries, "And 'to the Ethereal Vaults Resound"—sung with fine volume —"For Ever Blessed be His Pow'r," the incisive " Resound the Praise of God; Our Lord," etc. The involved and scholarly final chorus, Sing the Lord, Ye Voices All," terminated an. impressive performance. A large orchestra, under the leadership of Miss Edith W,hitelaw, rendered good service during the evening. .

DOLORES RECITALS. .;^ Mdlle. Dolores will give the second recital of her season in His Majesty's Theatre this evening. Tho programme for the occasion contains several excellent numbers which are familiar already, amongst them being Haydn's very popular item, . "Mv Mother Bids Me, Bind My Hair." The English school of writers is well represented by three very daintysongs, "Love Has Eyes" (Bishop), "Echo Tell Mo". (Hook), and,"The Lass with the Delicate Air." The'operatic excerpts in this evening's selections/are the recitative, "Out Dieu le.- Veut," and aria " Adieux Forets,".. from . Tschaikowsky's . opera, "Jeanne d'Arc," and Irom Verdi's "Rigolotto" recitative "Gaulticr Malde," and aria "Caro, Nome." W. charming trio of songs from the/works of Schumann may bo taken as representative of tho German school, while songs by Saint-Saens, Thome, and" Picrno of the French composers add further variety to an admirable programme. Dolores will again be assisted by Miss Iris de Cairos-Rego, The box plan is at .Wildman and Arey's.

OPERA HOUSE. ;; Another crowded audience witnessed the second performance by the new FullerBrcnnan Company at the Opera House last evening.:;-, Bailey's posing dogs were again very popular. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. . Tho pidturcsque story, entitled "The Forest Dwellers,'' which is being shown this week at ( the King's Theatre, has mpy attractive features. •■ . .The fine film, showing ; in detail the work , and I pleasure of tho territorials. at the recent Hautapu camp, is attracting considerable attention at the Lyric Theatre this week. "The Threads of Destiny" is a prominent drama of a popular/! type. ; V The Queen's Weekly Chronicle, included in the current 'programme, at the Queen's Theatre, • shows some views of the senior League football " match,:' Grafton v. New. ■tori,-played on Saturday. . | .v A large audience attended the Alhambra Theatre : last evening, and j thoroughly appreciated i the excelleut series l of pictures screened, "The Doom - ; of Darkness" is the title of the powerful feature drama, which ■; is to be , shown, for the ■ last time this evening.•■•, The .fascinating'story of ,the early days of v America,; which • is - featured in the; preient proyranune, of; the Olbbe, Theatre: aai'- i« ; entitled, "The Mystery Lady,"

attracted • many patrons to j every session yesterday. ;--,;/ - /■■ ■ ," "The..Whimsical-Thread of Destiny" is the title. of; the;' interesting drama which forms theVchief attraction at the West End Theatre this week. ■" / ••

J■* Continuous streams of people attended the ; Newton Picture Palace ' yesterday, where a ■ stirring ■ military drama, entitled "A Hero After All," is being shown. The mechanical effects introduced into the ; picture,,; entitled ; " When tho Earth Trembled,".- which is .being-produced at the Princess Theatre, make the portrayal of the great San Francisco earthquake as realistic, as possible. ./ .v To-day will bo. the last . opportunity of seeing the '% sensational < bank robbery drama, entitled "The Mystery of No. 13, Hill Street," is the chief attraction at the. King George Theatre.