DAVID, THE SHEPHERD BOY

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8295, 25 September 1903, Page 1

DAVID, THE SHEPHERD BOY

Quite a. large audience assembled at the Wceley Church last evening (o listen to tho rendering of Hi* Knots cantii'i "David, tho Shepherd Hoy.'' The cantai®"; like all l)r Hoot's compositions. is lull of delightful, airs, and the originality of his wink iiispir. s .even those who.' have not a musical taele. "David'' i.i no cxcepiion, l>ut pos.aeM.s many admirable features nl il.s own, and Mr Crei'fell. the conductor. may be congratulated upon tlii success of his lirst seriouK effort, and the cho-r may also bo complimented upon Ihe maimer in which, they did their work. The chorus singing wars particularly praiseworthy, more especially when it io con, it!i i\<l tint many oi. those engaged were young vocalists taking part for the first tine.' in concerted music of importance. There war, a good volume of well-balanced tone, and precision marked the work generally, the leaas being laking up wfcll and without that hesilation whieli is frequently found wh.Te inexperienc d singers are employed. It >« impossible to select any of the choriv-e.s for «pici«l mention, for all were good, and perhaps no higher compliment, enuld be paid to the fiingirs than to say thai there was a good evenness of qualify about th. ir efhirls. and. that the (standard wis ;i coaipaivi lively hin)> one. The solosists we!'.'- —Abigail, Mu-i liatison; Attendants, Misnes .Sinclair Michal, Miss L. Chase : David. Mr W. 11. Yalpy : Jonathan, Mr K. Crawshaw ; Jesse, Mr Ij. Couch; Samuel, Mr A. l'ainillon ; Saul, Mr Bishop; Messenger, Mr J. Common. It is uniiccesHary to cuter into a .full: criticism of the manner in which all (ho soloints did their work —u> do so .would entail an examination of all the tsolo numbers of the cantata, and fh- list io a long one. We must, however, make reference, in Mrs R-itson, a new-comer, who proved herself a most acceptable addition to the vocal talent of the town. I'lis.wswiny: a clear soprano voice of cou.iid-Table range, sho sings wifli good taste and gives cvkU-ww! of culture, and as a reiiult li 'i- solos wero source's of pleasure to the audience. Mention must, also be made of Hie valuable aid. given by 'Ml* Bishop, a vioiior, whose enthusiasm was an iu.qtirine element in tho production. Mr Valpy hod a large amount of hard work to do. and he acquitted himself very well, while Mr l'\ Crawshaw. a. young soloist who made In ; lirst- appearance, fi'ing with confidence and eorrectnees.

Of the others il may be .vnci -ha| they a'l contributed their nunl.'i lo the sure ss

achieved. The tv. <i i ctM ii? • 'c; upon whom devolves I for* jlialoTiK' we:, vt rv will t'lk.'li by Me'r-n; 11. 'Couch and \V. t'oninioM, while Mr Valpy gave <■ I - ■:r I y the leading leading into oii-e of Ms >.o!.s. Miss Cr.iwsh:iw at the piano and Mi".- Diehl at Iho organ, aided by .M.iir.r.i i{. J. Meldi imi (violin) and C. joiie-- (vi.e'il, did excellent service. .At til v elii-;e .if I lie eanUil.'i the choir were regaled at a In. lit r.■})-Ist- by I.lm ladies of the (Jitild, \,h n N!i- A. Kaniillon, the father of ihe choir, paiil a hieh tribute to the manner in which I lie r »■ i) in 11 s<■t <n ■ l Mr Orenfell)- had diseiianyd his duties. Tho Uev. Mr M'Nicoll expressed I hanks 1 o t hose, unconnected with l-hc clime who Irid It lit. valuable assistance.