“THE MESSIAH.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19039, 8 December 1923, Page 9

“THE MESSIAH.”

All music-lovers look forward to the an* ». nual performance of Handel’s glorious work. It took Handel only 22 days to write it* but it will take any of us more than a lifetime to fathom all its beauties. Wo , should count it a privilege to attend the performance that will be given by the Diin- - edin Choral Society next week, under tha ' baton of their conductor (Dr V. E. Galway), who has been hard at work rehearsing for the past few weeks. There is to be an augmented chorus which, together with the orchestra, will fill the stage at His Maiesty’s Theatre. 'A great attraction will be the first appearance since his return from- ■ America of Air Leonard Barnes. Ha possesses a fine voice of exceptional quality and the great bass solos, from all accounts, suit him admirably. The other artiste ara Misses Eva Ecott and Irene Horniblow, who always sing intelligently as well as tunefully. Mr Ernest Drake can alwaya be relied upon to do well in this work. Dunedin music-lovers are looking forward to hearing one of the best renderings ofi tli© Hallelujah Chorus, as the men's voicOa have been added to considerably from tha Male Choir. While speaking of this wonderful chorus, we have it on the authority of Dr Beattie, author of “Minstrel,” that! the custom, which still prevails, of standing during the Hallelujah Chorus date# from its first performance in London, when its effect was so overwhelming that, at tha phrase “For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” th© whole audience, with' the King, who was present, rose to their feet as if’by on© simultaneous impulse, and re* mained standing till the end.