ORATORIO IN THE WESLEY CHURCH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 4539, 30 November 1889, Page 3

ORATORIO IN THE WESLEY CHURCH.

The sacred concert given in WeaUy Churtch last night was attended by a very appreciative though numerically we&k andfence, and as tha very cream of our local talent bad been engaged to appear, a musical treat of no mean order resulted. The programme comprised selections from three oratorios —"The Messiah,' ''The Creation," and "Judas Maccabem. An efficient orchestra, consisting cf Mrs Booth (piano), Messrs G. Jones, jun., and O'Laary (violins), Mr G. Jone*, sen. (viola), Mr C. Jones (violoncello), and Mr A. Slater (comet), under the conduct orship of the Rev. W. G. Paraonson, supplied the necessary accompaniments. The opening recit and aria, " Every valley," were well sunt: by Mr Walls, his enunciation being clear and distinct. He was heard to great advantage during the cecond part of tbo pr - gramme In the aria, "In native The chorus, "And the glory of the Lord, was next. The choir had practised assiduously, and the result of their efforts was highly satisfactory, their chorus singing throughout the evening being marked by an exceptional correctness of tone and expression, though there was a tendency to drag on occasions —a blemish which was particularly noticeable in the chorus "The Heavens ore telling." Their be?t effort was undoubtedly their first, And the glory of the Lord," which ltf; very little to be desired. Miss Bolienhagen gang the aria " O Thou that tehest very sweetly. Tha recitative and aria "The people that walked in darkness" was taken by Mr Pibber freely and capably, though be was heard to better advantage later on In the aria " The trumpet shall sound, his enunciation in the first number being weak. One of the gem 3of the evening was undoubtedly the aria "He was despised," sung by Miss Gifford. TQlslady a voice seems specially suited to the singing of this selection, and her beautiful expressive rendering of It was listened to in perfect alienee. The trio "By thee with bliss," from "The Creation," was well sung by Misa Headland and Me33ra Holt and Plicher. Miss Headland's singing was clear and sweet, but her alngiog with Misa GreDfell in the duo "He shall feed His flack" was the better of her two efforts. Mr Holt proved by the manner In which he gave the recitative and aria " Thy rebuke" that he la possessed of an artistic conception. The dno "0 lovely peace," enng by Mlsae3 Grenfell and Bollenhagen was a tasteful contribution, though Miss Grenfell, like several others, was evidently suffering from a severe hoarseness. Miss Lemon sang the rtcitativo ®nd aria *' Bat thou dldat not fcivo with great tasto and correctness of intonation ; indeed, she has not often been heard in better voice. Of Mr Williamson's two selections, the better was tbat from the "Creation," "In splendour bright "—though the one from the "Messiah," "Thou shalt break them," was not wanting in spirit. Mrs Mitchell a interpretation of " I know that my Redeemer liveth," was such aa to afford a full Idea of the beauty of this immortal composition. Though Mrs Mitcbeli was suffering keenly from her old throat complaint, we forgot all about tbat in the midst of such niceties of expression, and became spellbound aa the concluding words were uttered, "Now Is Christ risen, the first-fruits of them that sleep." Before the singing of the "Hallelojah" chorus, Wr Paraonson took the opportunity of publicly thanking those who had so kindly come forward to as3l3t hi 3 choir, mentioning specially Mra Booth, who had devoted much time to helping forward the rehearsals, and Mra Mitchell, who had sustained aome risk in venturing to ■ing, which sho had done In order not to disappoint the audience. The concert closed with the singing of the "Hallolujah" chorus.