GRAND CONCERT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11294, 21 August 1922, Page 2

GRAND CONCERT

A MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS WELLINGTON AND HASTINGS CHOIRS AT TOWN HALL. A very large audienoe entirely filled the Town Hall . last evening, when, after the various church services were over, large detachments from each congregation wended their way thither to enjoy tho grand concert given by the Royal Wellington Choral Union and the Hastings Choral Society, assisted' by Miss Cara Holdgate and Messrs Sydney Butler and Howard Foster. As an indication of the volume of sound arising from the united choirs, it may he stated that nearly four hundred and fifty members took part, the Sunday night concert being given without the aid—as on Saturday evening—of the fine orchestra then present. Miss Dorothy assisted at the piano, and Mr Clement Howe at the grand organ, the conductors being Messrs H. Temple White and A. R. Don. The proceedings having opened with the National Anthem, the first item on the programme was the organ solo bv Mr Clement Howe —G-uilmant’a (a) Melody in G major and (bl Minuet, rendered in very artistic and effective style. Tile entire combined choirs then rendered the “Angelus” chorus from “Maritaaa,” the effect of this immense aggregation of well-train-ed voices being exceedingly impressive and pleasurable. “Lend me your aid” (from “Irene”) was sung by Mr Sydney Butler, who was in excellent voice, Gounod’s sweet melody and tile haunting words losing nothing of effect by Mr Butler’s interpretation. Duio mention must be made of the fine

rendering of “The Heavens are Telling” (from Haydn’s “Creation”) by the tno. Miss Cara Holdgate, Mr Sydney Butler, and Mr Howard Foster, the choirs alternating with fine cadence in the choruses. One of the most pleasing items was “The Lost Chord” (with organ obligato) given as a trumpet solo by Mr F. G. Wilkinson, who contrived to convey into lias performance a considerable grace and beauty of fine tone in the lighter and higher portions of Sullivan’s grand old masterpiece. Haydn’s “Graceful Consort,” given as a duet by Miss Cara Holdgate and Mr Howard Foster, was received with considerable applause, this being followed by Haydn’s “Sing The Lord,” from “The* Creation,” by the combined choirs with plenty of attention to proper rhythm and sentiment. Following came Miss Cara Holdgate’s solo “To Brahma” from Bizet’s “Pearl Fishers.” Miss Holdgate has a most pleasing voice, her ton register being remarkably clear and with plenty of resonance. As an excellent foil to this, Mr Howard Foster’s solo “Pagan” (Hermann Lolir) was every bit as delightful, and he appears to have plenty of range and power without any noticeable effort of production. The last item on the well-arranged programme was. fittingly, Handel’s “Hallelujah,” from “The Messiah,” the grand old classic being given with the best possible effect Dy the choirs. In spite of the rain tho large Town Hall was packed to the doors, many people being turned away for lack ot accommodation, and great praise is due to both the Royal Wellington Choral Union and the Hastings OhoTal Society for the manner in which they gate the immense audienoe their artistic interpretations. Much praise is also due to the two honorary secretaries for their hard labours in organising and preparing for these grand concerts, the names of these gentlemen being Mr F. C. Wilkinson, of Hastings, and Mr W\ E. Caldow, of Wellington.