THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15183, 30 June 1911, Page 5

THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR

FIRST CONCERT IN WELLINGTON. AN ENORMOUS AUDIENCE. (From Och Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON June 29. The Sheffield Choir arrived here after an arduous special train journey from Auckland over the Main Trunk line. The train lost time on the way down, .and was about 10 minutes late, arriving in the dark, on a cold, wintry night, at 20 minutes to 7. This left the singers little time to have their evening meal and to be in their places by 8.15.. The arrangements at the station, however, were excellent, and all were on their way to their lodgings or their hotels within 20 minutes. To-night's performance consisted of Edward Elgar's oratorio " The Dream of Gerontius," the words of which were written by Cardinal Newman. This famous work was first introduced to a New Zealand audience in the Wellinsrton Town Hall this year by the local Choral Society, 6o that it was still fresh in the memories of our music-loving people. The oratorio presents considerable difficulties, as may be judged from the fact that tfoo Wellington Society found it necessary to have lio fewer than 13' rehearsals before coming before the public. Though our Town Hall is the most commodious in New Zealand, every feat for all the concerts had bean sold out for some days, and it was a. remarkably large audience tlwit greeted Dr Gov,-artl with applause as h® came forward.- The performance on the whole was a remarkable success, though the audience had reason to be somewhat disappointed with tiio soloists. Mr Henry Turnpenny, the tenor, was evidently tired with travel, and his high notes were obtained only with considerable effort-. Miss Gertrude Lonsdale, the contralto, was not able to appear at all, as 'she .had become suddenly indisposed just before arriving here, and her place had to be taken by Mrs Harrison (Miss Alice Heeley). Mr Robert Cliarlesworth gave a fine rendering of the bass fiolos. The part singing of the choir, however, more than fulfilled expectations; indeed, it was quite a revelation to Now Zealanders, while tta orchestra was surprisingly good.

(Per United Press Associmioh.l WELLINGTON, June 29. The choir will go to Falmerston in the morning, giving a matinee there and returning to sing in Wellington again in the evening.