CHORAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20709, 31 October 1930, Page 16

CHORAL SOCIETY.

EXCERPTS FROM OPERA. AN ENJOYABLE CONCERT. Dcpnrting from its usual procedure the Auckland Choral Society devoted its entiro programme last evening to excerpts from grand opera, which met with a cordial reception from a large audience. Tho arrangement of the items was excellently carried out, the solos and choruses hcing heard with full orchestral accompaniment, which added greatly to the illusion of the operatic stage. This was particularly noticeable in the case of " Lohengrin" and " Carmen," tho excerpts moving easily from one act or scene to another.

The opening item consisted of Hie Prelude and Siciliana from Mascagni's " Cavalleria Rusticana," which was followed by the tenor solo " 0 Lola, Pretty One," sung with excellent effect by Mr. Arthur Ripley. The harp accompaniment by Miss Mavis Grevatt was an attractive feature of this number. The concluding portion was the well-known Intermezzo. In the next group a collection of airs from Verdi's operas " ]1 Trovatore" and " Rigoletto," both chorus and orchestra gave a very spirited rendering, which included among others such favourites as " The Anvil Chorus," "La Donna E Mobile" and the beautiful " Miserere" scene. Mr. Frank Sutherland used his bass voice with great effect in the recitative "Yes! She Flies From Me Still," from .Gounod's " Irene," which led into the air " She Alone Oharmeth My Sadness." A prelude by the orchestra introduced the excerpts from "Lohengrin," and a fine richness of tone was evident throughout this section. Several choruses were sung, and the bass solo " Now Let the Lordly Tilt Begin" was sung by Mr. Sutherland, while Mr. Pipley won favour with his rendering of the tenor solo in (he popular " Bridal Chorus." "Scnta's Ballad," from " The Flying Dutchman," was very pleasingly sung bv Mrs. Rewa Hipwell, who was supported by the orchestra and a ladies' chorus. In the excerpts from " Carmen" Miss Irene Ainsley gave a very robust and spirited rendering of the aria " Habanera," and this was followed by the male chorus "Hurrah! for the Toreador," in which Mr. Ernest Snell, the gave an excellent account of himself. Both singers threw themselves enthusiastically into their roles, Miss Ainsley's performance being outstanding. A choral fantasia, taken from " The Meistersingers of Nuremberg," introduced several choruses and solos, in a style similar to that of the " Lohengrin" excerpts. The male choruses in this group were particularly good. The soloists again were Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Ripley, both of whom were in fine voice. Miss Ainsley was heard again in the aria " Knowest Thou the Land ?" from Thomas' " Mignon," which was sung with great depth of feeling. The concluding number was another choral fantasia, taken this time from " Tannhauser." Among the choral numbers the " Pilgrims' Chorus" was outstanding. The soloists were Madame Dorothy Cronin, Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Snel!, the former giving a very beautiful rendering of Elizabeth's song, " 0 Blessed Virgin." which was followed by the well known "0 Pure and Tender Star of Eve." The orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Colin Muston, contributed largely to the success of the evening by the excellence of its accompaniments and introductory passages.