THE OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2691, 14 December 1895, Page 2

THE OPERA HOUSE.

FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERTAcis and Galatea.” This work of Handel's is not now, hut it is beautiful and enduriug. After a hundred and seventy years of constant presentment, ii is a* aud delightful as ever. {Somewhat archaic in form, it is true ; but it has the immortal qualities of the grout master. A beautifully tender, graceful love story in a splendid setting of chorus and orchestra from the hand which carved out “ The Messiah,” and ” Israel,” and “ .Tivlas.” and the other "teat Han* •delian classics, In the early days opinions wove divided about the merits of the composer. The Kin”;, who lihod Germans, honoured him by special representations of his works before the Court, ami > he used sometimes to take the liberty of having an engagement elsewhere. On one occasion ir is recorded that a groat noble, having determined to attend one of these pcriormances, foun<t the King surrountod by empty benches, and retreated hastily-, with the remark Unit he did not wish to intrude < r m the privacy of hii Sovereign. The national judgment, however, followed the King, and the works of Handel became popular, and have retained that popularity to the present day. This particular one which the Festival Society selected is .as popular as the others of the groat list. It opens with a line overture, a great chorus of lively pastoral character follows, of true Handclian vigour, massiveness and force; the- love passages of Galatea and Acis come in due course ; the rugged . giant Polyphemus comes shouting into view, a truly wonderful musical conception ; who rages and burns, is uncouth, violent, mighty,’imperious and awful. Acis has a grand wav song, but in spite of it is killed at the first blow, and then ,we have dirges, which end in triumphant celebration of Ins admission to immortal life. The beauties of the work wore excellently presented by the Festival Society ; the chorus under the capable baton of Air, Parker fairly revelled in its work, was quite at home in it, gave it with commendable vigour and force, and crispness and swing and balance of parts; not a part weak, not a.lead wanting, not an , effect missed. Madame Evoleen Carlton sang the. Galatea . music very prettily and daintily, just ■ as she was expected to sing 'it. Mr- E. -Hill was well suited with the part of \Acis, singing with spirit, delicacy and good stylo ; his warlike song was specially taking, with its vigour and fire. Mr Prouse struck the character of Polyphemus at. the outset with that famous recitative “I Rage, I Burn,” gave a.capital clear powerful artistic rendering of the still more famous “'Ruddier than the Gliovry,” and kept up' the character in the great trio, which ho ends with the killing of Acis. Upon these three the action, of the whole piece depends, and all throe did their work with great success ; their final trio, one of the most difficult to be found anywhere, being remarkable for correctness and good singing. If the sole work of the Society’s productions is always as well done, the Society’s concerts can bo looked forward to with groat pleasure. The orchestra, under Mr MaoDufY Loyd’s leadership, was quite up to its work, the recitatives which abound wore admirably sung, to the accompaniment of Miss Hamorton, who was at the piano, and the whole work was presented with a crispness, brilliancy and general excellence which made it very enjoyable to the audience. The Society has not done auytlrng hotter since it made its mark with “ Israel ” last year. Wo compliment Mr Parker on the result. .Before the second act an agreeable addition was made of an occasional overture of Handel’s, which is sometimes used in this place. ltis a feature of the Handel festivals,at the Crystal Palace, and, as may bo therefore imagined, a great favourite. Its addition served to lengthen, the. concert enough to carry it to 10 o’clock 1 , a very good hour for a cantata to close. The audience was, wo were glad to see, hu-ge as well as appreciative. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Glasgow were present.