"JUDAS MACCABAEUS"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22166, 20 July 1935, Page 13 (Supplement)

"JUDAS MACCABAEUS"

HANDEL'S GREAT ORATORIO PRESENTATION IN AUCKLAND The Auckland Choral Society's presentation of Handel's oratorio, "Judas Maccabaeus," in the Town Hall on Thursday, August 1, revives a work which has not been heard in Auckland since 1929. Next to "Messiah," it is Handel's best-known work, and its musical qualities entitle it to rank on as high a plane as the more familiar oratorio. Composed in 1746, at the zenith of Handel's powers, it is planned on a heroic scale. Judas Maccabaeus was the deliverer of the Jewish }>eople from tho tyranny of Antiochus Epiphanes, tho Syrian king, who attempted to suppress their religion and liberties. Naturally much of tho music is martial and inspiring. The general style is typified by the well-known aria, "Arm, Arm, Ye Brave," and the chorus, "See tho Conquering Hero Comes." The whole score, however, is redolent of revolt and triumph, mingled with arias of rare tenderness The conductor, Mr. Colin Muston, has assembled a chorus of approximately 150 voices and an orchestra of 80 instruments. The soloists" will include Miss Sarah Stacpoole, Miss Mavis Beadle, .Miss Winifred Johnson, Mr. J. McCarthy and Mr. Len Barnes.