ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20721, 14 November 1930, Page 14

ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR

THIRD CONCERT OF SEASON. AN EXCELLENT PROGRAMME. A verdict of complete success niny be passed upon tho third concert' of the season given bv tho Royal Auckland } Choir at tho Town Hall Jast evening. The choir's numbers were well arranged £ to cater for a variety of tastes, and tho '' programme was enhanced by solo items 11 contributed by Miss Kato Campion and 0 Mr. W. Gommcll, vocalists, and by Mr. 1 Ilaydn Murray, violinist. 11 The opening number L>y the combined singers was tho lively "llark! tho Merry Drum," which was followed by "Night y Winds," an expressively-rendered nuin--0 her pitched in a quieter key. There was r a rousing, rollicking strain to the choir's next offering, "A Song of tho Armada," s which was very warmly received. 'iho ' following number, "Oedipus at Colonos," ' by Mendelssohn, was a more ambitious s effort, iij which tho versatility of tho 5 choir was well displayed. Tho choir was ' divided into two for this piece; there was ' a nico balanco between the voices and a fine senso of cohesion. • Tho choir formed an effective vocal j background to tho quartetto number "Sabbath Call," sung by Messrs. > Fogcrty, Auger, O'Malley and H. r Walker. The succeeding numbers were ' in lighter vein and were no less enthusiastically received. They included "Tho • Pedlar's Song" and "An Old Rat's Tale." There was a martial swing to "£ong of Harold Harfager," a resounding picco which was heartily acclaimed, and tho programmo appropriately con--1 eluded with the part song "Good ' Night." Professor W. E. Thomas conducted the clloir and Mr. Cyril Towsey ' was accompanist. The choir was particularly fortunate in its choice of supporting artists. Tho large audience was unstinted in its applause of Miss Campion, a soprano of rare artistry, whoso numbers ranged from operatic excerpts to old familiar songs. Her first number was "Ombre Legore," from tho opera "Lo Pardon do Ploennel," a most difficult suJo, which Miss Campion sang with delightful ease. ;\s an encore she sang "Comin' Through the Rye" in a thoroughly captivating manner, which made tho audience reluctant to part with her, although she was to appear again later in the programme. The main offering in her second bracket was "Hopak," sung, like tho operatic number, in French. Miss Campion was j given another triumphant reception, to j which she responded with an appro- j priate vocal gem. In response to the audience's insistent, applause she appeared I finally in "Tho Shadow March," a. quaintly eerie number recalling childhood fears of that mysterious spectre., the "bogey man." Another popular performer was Mr. Gcminell, a baritone of unusual talent, who was heard first in "It was Thou, tho Destroyer,'' from Verdi's "l"n Hallo in Maschera." His was a convincing and masterly performance. As an encoro ho sang "Tho Gentle Maiden," in pleasant and effective manner. Later Mr. Gemmell gave a powerful rendering of "My Friend," and, as an encore, excelled himself in "Invictus.'' Ho was recalled a second time, and rounded off an impressive performance with tho Maori favourite, "Pokarekaro Ra." No less popular was Mr. Murray, whoso violin solos were most cordially received. His numbers were (Wieniawski) and "Variations on a (homo by Corelli'' (Tartini-Kreisler), while ho -was generous in his response to recalls. Throughout he played with a confidence, skill and artistry that enhanced his already fino reputation on tho concert platform.