"THE GOLDEN LEGEND."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19471, 29 October 1926, Page 14

"THE GOLDEN LEGEND."

CHORAL SOCIETY'S WORK., A NOTABLE PERFORMANCE. For some weeks past the members of the Auckland Choral • Society have been assiduously rehearsing Sullivan's great choral masterpiece "The Golden Legend," and the result was placed before a large audience of subscribers and . others at tho Town Hall last evening, when the third concert of the season was given. The performance, which was in every way a credit to the society, evidently made a considerable impression upon those,, pres; em.

In this work Sullivan , clearly demon- . strated that "ho could at will forsake, the lighter paths of composition, atnl class himself with those composers whose efforts have won enduring fame. The adaptation of Longfellow's beautiful iine - . seems to have inspired him to reveal his genius to tho full, and the whole score teems with interest. Last night's rendering was conducted .with ability fay Mr. Colin Muston, who handled his forces with experience. In the majority oi' instances he secured the maximum of result, and it was in no feeble spirit of apprecia tion that the large audience responded to the more notable efforts.

Madame Winnie Eraser, of Christchurch. was set down for the trying soprano music of Elsie, Beautiful p,s this is, it makes numerous demands, and in the hands of an unimaginative soloist would bo shorn of the effects desired by the composer. At this concert, Madams Fraser sang hor lines with dramatic force, or sympathy, as tho occasion demanded. Her full voice was employed skilfully, while the head tones were delivered with clarity and requisite delicacy, The soprano scored well in the musical col , loquies between Elsie and, Ursula, and was convincing in the duet with Prince Henry, "On and Onward." She made, a great impression .in the idyllic duet in scene 6.

As Ursula, Madame Irene Ainsley was well cast, and made the most of her chances in "Slowly, Slowly TJp the Wall" and the devotional "Virgin, Who Lorest." She also showed experience-, in scene 2, sinking hor lines with expression. The tenor part of Prince Henrv was canably taken by Mr. Edwin Dennis, whose interpretations suggested a greater breadth than has been previously noted. Mr. William Gemmell was the Lucifer of the production, and acquitted himself capably in a difficult, role. Occasionally the vigorous accompaniments apparently proved disconcerting, but his more declamatory portions were given out with certainty.

The largo choir had evidently been carefully trained and their unaccompanied singing of "0 Gladsome Light" (encored) and "O Pure in Heart" was of a high order. In the iii'3t-meiit,ioncd unusual care was bestowed upon the intonation and articulation, while the devotional spirit was never lacking. The orchestra, led by Miss Edith Whitelnw, had evidently been carefully selected. The finer points of the picturesque instrumentation wero well brought cut and whether playing furiously rushing passages, or suave flowing measures, the executants wero uniformlv successful Some excellent work was achieved in the dramatic prologue in which Lucifer is represented as invoking the aid of the elements to wreck tho cathedral of Stra-s----hurtr. The strings generally had plenty to accomplish, the higher registers being frequently drawn upon in the tumultuous rushing accompaniments, while unique effeefs were produced by the wood-wind headed by the flutes in the charming opening of the sixth scene, where Prince Henry and E'»;ie take their stand,on the terrace"