THE DUNEDIN HAMONIC SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4170, 30 June 1875, Page 2

THE DUNEDIN HAMONIC SOCIETY.

The second public concert of the Dunediu Harmonic Society was held in the Temperance Hall last evening. The weather being very bad, the consequence was that the attendance was much less than could reasonably have been expected. The lady who gave the alto song, "The Forsaken," was encored, an'honour to which she was well entitled, not only for musical expression, but for a distinctness of enunciation rare in amateurs. Praise similar to that accorded to the lady who gave the lastmentioned song, we cannot bestow on the tenor who rendered " Alice, where art Thou," Not a word could be distinguished, and his voice is not suitable for a solo. In the solo and chorus> •' Come if you dare,"'the gentleman who gave the tenor solo sang with effect, and we are sure that lie is an amateur whose appearance on the platform will be always welcomed "Let me like a soldier fall," was given by a gentleman with appropriate spirit; but it appeared to go rather flat, on account of there being no band accompaniment. The bass song, " Cleansing Fires," was not very well given ; and as to the tenor and bass duet, " Flow gently, Deva," while the music was efficiently rendered, the bass appeared to think that he was in his usual element, a character song, which somewhat spoilt the effect. We have no doubt, at the next concert, the Society will bring out additional "talent," and that those who appeared last evening will improve with time. The soprano and alto duet " What do the Angels Dream of, Mother?" was passably rendered. We will now refer to the part songs and glees, and, without hesitation, express the opinion that in these lies the Society's forte. Whatever last evening was thought of the solos, on the part songs and glees there "was no division of opinion. The pianos and fortes were thoroughly under control —in fact, it may be said shortly, that the conductor and chorus had the fullest understanding of one another, the result being that the music was rendered with the greatest precision. The choruses were so good that it was difficult to consider to which the preference should be accorded. It is in part music and glees that the Society excels ; and that this is the case is owing, as it was evident to anyone who was present at the concert last evening, to the care and ability of the conductor, Mr W. J. Morrish. The band, while strong in number, at the same time would be greatly benefited by the addition of a cornet and piccolo, the absence of a cornet being greatly noticed in each of the selections they played. Last, but not least, the lady who presided at the piano, acquitted herself as an accompanyist with unusual excellence. She gave a selection from " Moses in Egypt," but while it showed execution, the solo was of a sort not generally appreciated, being too high-class for a general audience. We should like to hear her in something that appeals more to the popular taste. In concluding our notice of the concert, we must express our opinion that the Society is one which deserves a full measure af public support. We wish it every success. \