DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11200, 24 August 1898, Page 3

DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY.

The second concert of the season of the Dunedin Choral Society was held in the Agricultural Hall last evening, and was largely attended, only a few back seats being unoccu-' pied. The programme was the least exacting that the society has yet put forward, and consisted of Cowen's " Song of Thanksgiving" and Gade'a " Comala." The " Song of Thanksgiving," which was first rendered in Dunedin as a portion of the ceremony in connection with the opening of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition in 1889, and has not been given since that' time, is divided into three choruses, each of which is very gracefully written. In the second chorus, which is unaccompanied, a lack of simultaneity in the attack was more than once exhibited, and a suspicion of weakness, and more than a suspicion of irresolution on the part of the basses, was betrayed; but the blemishes' in the rendering of the Song were not sufficiently pronounced to seriously mar the generally satisfactory result that was attained. The members of the choir are especially to be complimented upon the excellence of the finale, which was rendered with commendable firmness as well as with considerable power. Of

"' Comala," which is a highly dramatic work, an interpretation was given that calls for little else than words of praise. The principals performed their tasks more than creditably, and some of. the choruses were Bung exceptionally well. Mrs It. Hudson, jun., was entrusted with the rsolos assigned: to the character of Comala, and she responded most efficiently to the call upon her. Various solos, the music of which is dramatic in its character, are allotted to Comala, and Mrs Hudson's version of these was powerful and effective. Of that class is the series.of solos commencing with " Still'd 13 the fight," alternating with solos by other principals and with choruses, and concluding with "Slumbers Fingal, the brave? " In this series Mrs Hudson found her most severe test, but she ably overcame her difficulties—a fact which the audience cheerfully recognised;—and, thereafter, she gave an admirably expressive rendering of the touching solo, "O were I departed from Carun's waters," which she was, by repeated applause, prevailed on to repeat. The society was fortunate, also, in having enlisted the services of Miss Rose Blaney as 'the second soprano principal. Her opportunity of the evening was presented in the lovely ballad, "One Day There Came from Lochlin," with a refrain at the close of every second stanza. This charming number was rendered by Miss Blaney with great sweetness and excellent taste. Opinions were probably divided as to whether it or Mrs Hudson's solo just previously mentioned was the gem of the performance. Hiss Blaney sang in capital voice, and with good judgment two or three minor solos that fell to her share. The contralto soloist was Miss Kempthorne, who acquitted herself quite, acceptably, her intonation being true and her enunciation distinct. Mr W. Huir, a vocalist who has not been long here, was allotted the, music of the male principal.' He possesses a light baritone voice of bice quality; but it did not fill the hall well, and he did not seem to be at all making thi use of it of which he was. capable. Two im-. portant solos^"Now, at Last, Shall I This Haughty King.Lay Low" and ''Let Me Gaze on My Beloved"—fell to his lot, and each of them was rendered correctly, but rather colourlessly, and Mr Muir would have succeeded better if h6 had infused more fire into his rendering of the former, and' more feeling into his singing of the latter. Ab has been indicated, the ■ choruses were a pleasing feature of the production. The descriptive choruse3 of spirits, each beginning "Our Pathway is the Storm." in which the suggestion of a rising storm i 3 skilfully conveyed/were admirably given; the triumphant chorus of warriors, "Far Fled is the Foe from Battle," with its appropriate air, was also well given, and the concluding chorus of bards and .maidens was a capital number. The orchestra^ led by Mr 33. Parker, was disposed to he overpowering in the first chorus of all, but the bulk of the charming accompaniments were played very tastefully, and the incidental music throughout was effectively performed, special credit being due to Mrs Blandford (hon. pianiste) for her. artistic, accompanying. The production of both works was directed by Mr James Coombs, wao wielded his baton with the success that generally .attends his efforts./ The next production by the society will be Handel's oratorio "Samson." < .■ ■. ■ ■■ /