NEW MUSICAL VENTURE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12315, 9 December 1925, Page 9

NEW MUSICAL VENTURE

“TOM JONES”—CONCERT VERSION Last evening was notable for the baptism of a new musical body and one which should prove of value. The Orpheus Musical Society gave its first performance in the Concert Chamber, under the baton of Mr Len- Barnes, and it was a performance full of promise. Edward German’s “Tom Jones” was the work chosen for the first presentation, and it was giyen with a rare zest. Nowadays, German lias not the popularity which was his portion of old; but though lie fell far short of being a front-rank composer, his clever orchestration and facile melodies make his music attractive. So he is well fitted to give the first of a ! series of works - which the new organisation will present, works which, as the president of the Orpheus Society (iir J. W, Carr) explained, will be chosen from amongst those which for various reasons are neglected by bigger choral societies, and wliicii will include Steriidale Bennett’s “May Queen,” and Henry Hadley’s “New Earth.”

There is much choral singing in “Tom Jones,” and most of it is of the straightforward type which makes an appeal to young singers. For Mr Barnes’s little band is youthful and enthusiastic. It performed its part last evening with abundant vigour and left no doubt that with tho training which it will receive from its conductor, a man of undoubted ability, and its own keenness to work, those crudities which it displayed will he eradicated. Its greatest fault, indee jl, “was directly the result of enthusiasm —a tendency to shout rather than to sing. There are good voices in the chorus, and with a strengthening of the tenors and altos, and a more extensive experience in part singing, we may expect t to hear the society in much -nore intricate works. Unquestionably the material is there. The choice of soloists for the opening concert augurs well. First came Miss Mary Shaw (Sophia), whose platform experience was very valuable, and who gave an excellent and stylish performance. Miss Shaw is already known to Wellington audiences and possesses an extremely flexible soprano which makes light of the most fhJfid passages. She has a slightly nasal production and can sing recitative very well. The famous “Waltz Song” received fine treatment from her, and she was satisfying in all her concerted work. " A good second'was Mrs Alice Harris (Honour and Lady Bellaston), who gave “Dream o’ Day,Jill” iri a manner coquettish and charming, and who possesses an attractive voice. Mr Colin Trim (Squire Western and Bilfil) proved adequate for the part, and Mr E. A. Surtees (Tom) once he overcame his nervousness, showed signs of a promising tenor. JVliss Hilda Roberts sang a couple of small solos very nicely, and there were two capable pianists (Miss Gwen Wing and Miss Muriel Smith), who collaborated in giving the well-known orchestral pieces from the opera and performing the accompanying.