DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18851, 2 May 1923, Page 4

DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY

The chorus had a very good practice last night. Dr Galway occupied the evening in the analytical work of ‘‘The Ancient Mariner.” Attention was directed to finishing points in attack, phrasing, light and shade, pronunciation, and other details essential to a good interpretation and performance., The author of the poem is .Samuel Taylor Coleridge. As a boy he was of a strange, lonely character, but with an imagination which ran riot. His university course at Cambridge was interrupted by his suddenly enlisting as a private in. a troop of dragoons. His literary ability was noticed by an officer. Interested friends purchased his discharge from the army, and he returned to Cambridge, In 1794- he became acquainted with. Robert Southey. His first book of poems was published in 1796. In this year he became acquainted with William Wordsworth, by whose early poems he had. been attracted. A clase friendship resulted, the outcome of which was the joint production of a little volume entitled “Lyrical Ballads,” one oof which by Coleridge was “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” This poem has a place quite by itself in English poetry. It is distinguished by its melodiousness and high imaginative power, as well as for a romantic glow which finds its counterpoint only in Scott. It has been .sot to music for soloists, chorus, and orchestra by John Francis Barnett, It was composed expressly for the Birmingham Triennial Musical Festival, 1867. The. Dunedin Choral Society will give it in His Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday next. The reserved l sent plan for subscribers opens at the Bristol Piano Company to-morrow morning.