MR BARNETT'S MUSICAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3311, 18 December 1897, Page 2

MR BARNETT'S MUSICAL SOCIETY.

“THR MESSIiH." It is f asy to understand and appreciate the popularity of “ The Messiah/* Handel’s < masterpiece stands alone and distinct from } all others, as the on© oratorio specially suit- J able for the Christmas season. It is always 1 fresh and spontaneous, and the more fre- ( quently it is heard the stronger becomes the ' desire to hear it again, for age cannot wither ‘ nor custom stale its infinite beauties of • melody and orchestration, nor its sacred ■ theme, of which the world will never * grow weary. 1 iafeoning to the majestic * music of “ The Messian/* even the most , unemotional may realise the spirit which j o.arriedaway Handel himself when he said of : “The Hallelujah Chora?,* “As I wrote it did s?cm to me that the Heavens opened, . and I saw the great God Himself before mo.” That present-day criticism which affcC s to believe that the great oratorio is hackneyed, or is heard too often, is not worth much. List night’s performance by .Mr Maughan liarnett’s Musical Society may well take rank as one of the moat successful yet given by this enthusiastic choir. The numbers of the chorus were somewhat diminished —a o rcamstance, the programme explained, due to the influonzv, which respects not even musicians—but the voices were much more evenly balanced than is sometimes the case, and instead of an undue preponderance of sopranos, there was a compact choir, in which each of the four divisions was fairly represented. All the choral work was excellent. “The Hallelujah Chorus” was sung with stirring ensemble t and as the leads were taken up with automatic precision and the lights and shades faithfully attended to, there was a delightful vigour and crispness about this number especially. In like manner* “All We Like Sheep/* except for a little dragging in the first couple of bars, was appropriately spirited, and shared wiih the chief chorus the honour of being the best of the evening. “ Lift Up Your Heads,** on the other hand, lacked fire, while in “For Unto Us ** the fortissimo effect at the word “ wonderful *' was rather weak ; but, generally, as has been indicated, the chorus sang in a manner highly praiseworthy. The soloists were Madame Carlton, Miss N. Parsons, and Messrs John W. Hill and John Prouse. Madame Carlton, who was greeted with a special round of applause, has probably never been heard to better advantage The sublime confession of faith “ I know that my Redeemer liveth ” was, as eho sang it, a revelation, from its intense expression, and her judicious phrasing and right uso of the medium voice. This air made more than a mere surface impression upon the listeners, who w mid gladly hive had it repeated. The dramatic spirit with which Madame Carlton imbues everything ehe singaentitles her to bo considered one of the leading oratorio singers of New Zealand. “-Rejoice Greatly” was another admirable solo, notable for its freshness and chvrm, os well as for the solemnity of the passage, “He shall speak peace unto’’’the heathen/* The tumultuous . “Why, Do ■•■•the Nations’* stands out a feature in the thoroughly good performance given ns by Mr Prouse. This massive song was a triumph. It was given with the utmost resolution, the singer apparently revelling in its impetuous/tans. It goes without saying that-it _was loudly applauded. “ But Who-May Abide/* the finest pieces in the oratorio, with its stirring change at the words “ For He is like a refiner’s fire,” and the other prominent bass solo, “ For Behold . Darkness, * were all interpreted in a manner worthy of Mr Proase. The best sbJo of .Miss Parsons was undoubtedly “ He Was Despised,” sung with admirable taste- Miss.Parsons* voice is'not well produced, but she has good judgment, and her phrasing and enunciation are excellent. Mr J. W, Hill’s work is always artistic, and last night’s was no exception to the rule. In “ Comtort Ye” and its accompanying air “ Bv’ry Valley” he amply showed his complete control of his voice, singing also with . v adequate expression. The air “Behold and See” with its recitative, and “But Thou, .Didst not Leave,” • ' likewise with the recitative, were included in the tenor music, and were capably sung; but in the passage, “ Heboid and see if there be any sorrow like to His sorrow/* Mr Hill, instead of placing the accent upon the word “ Hia,” accented “ sorrow/ 1 which is not the correct reading. Mr Maughan Barnett was, as-usual, an able conductor, Mr A. Hotop was leader of the orchestra, and Mr Laurence was at the organ. There was a crowded audience.