THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 780, 11 February 1887, Page 14

THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

The reputation which the Fisk Jubilee Singers have acquired in all parts of the world was enough to ensure a large audience on their first appearance in Wellington. On Tuesday evening the Opera House was crowded in all parts, and the audience showed in the most unmistakable way their appreciation of the entertainment offered to them. The music, no doubt, is not of the highest class, but snch as it is it is put before the audience in a manner which could hardly be excelled. The members of the company are trained musicians, and have unusual natural capacity. In every sort of voice—soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, and bass—the company is strong, and each member is willing to subordinate his or her particular talent to the general good. As a whole, the performance is of religious selections, but there are several secular pieces. Even in the religious part, from the manner of the performance there is often a good deal to raise a laugh. The catching way in which certain parts of the music are introduced is no doubt much more comical than reverent. In spite of this, the whole entertainment is a very taking one, and there is a great deal which even church choirs might learn with advantage from the Fisk Singers. The Paternoster was sung in a manner which would do credit to the choir of any cathedral. After that, however, came the rollicking “Get yon ready,” which was much more jovial than reverent. In the secular selections several members of the company had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves. Miss M. S. Lawrence received a well-deserved encore for her singing of “The flower maid,” and gave in response “ Beware.” Both songs were snng with great taste, and in each the fine soprano voice of the singer appeared to much advantage. Mr F. J. Loudon had also an opportunity of displaying hia fine bass voice to the greatest advantage, and astonished his audience with his low notes. Altogether, the performance of the Singers was a novel and surprising one. We have had good singers who have performed good music, and we have had bad singers who have performed bad music, but never before have we had finely trained musicians performing music of the Moodie and Sankey order. Whatever one may think of the melodies which the Jubilee Singers select, there can be no doubt that their harmony is as good as could be wished, and that the performers themselves have voices which would win them first-rate positions on the operatic stage. The audience on Tuesday was more than satisfied, and it can be safely predicted that during the stay in Wellington of the Fisk Singers, they will have full houses.