THE NEW TOWN HALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20951, 14 February 1930, Page 6

THE NEW TOWN HALL.

The final rehearsal of the music to be sung at the services in the Town Hall on Sunday afternoon was held in the Town Hall last night. The 300 members of the city and suburban clioirs, under the direction of Mr Desmoulins, filled to overflowing the choir seats and sent forth a fine body of sound to every part of the building, Jackson’s “Te Blake’s “Jerusalem,” and the Hallelujah Chorus,” from “ The supported by the great organ, with Dr Galway at the console, were hoard to fine effect, and will bo an inspiration at Sunday’s service. Last evening, at the final rehearsal of , 10 . ore hcstra and the combined male choirs, the stage was occupied by over -00 performers. The members have generously sacrificed their leisure and put in months of patient practice on behalf of the city, and the result of the work of the conductors, Dr Galway, Mi J. Coombs, Mr J. Leech, and'the pianist Mr Charles A. Martin, and the members was wholly satisfying, everything pointing to a successful concert on Monday night. The concert hall exceeds all expectations in its properties, and citizens will find that it will be a favourite rendezvous in the evenings in the future. It is of noble proportions, comfortable, and lias good acoustic properties. Mr Alfred Wahnsley, in his solos in “ The Desert ” and in the “ Chorus of the Spirits and the Hours,” has the voice the music requires, and greatly charmed his heavers. The quartet in “The Desert” arc Messrs F. H. Jones, A. S. Blake, H. M'Alluin, and J. Paterson. Mr A. G. Fleming reads the descriptive monologue. The choir sang confidently, and the beauties of the two pieces mentioned were well, brought out. Dr Galway specially thanked the members of a small orchestra, Mr J. A. Wallace (leader) and Miss Gourlay, for their playing. The other pieces to be presented under the baton of Mr Leech are “ Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “ Shenandoah,” “ The Autumn Sea,” and “ Laud of Hope and Glory,” Dr Galway accompanying on the organ. “THE MESSIAH.” Booking proceeds apace for next Wednesday’s rendering of Handel’s great work in the new Concert Chamber, and Dunedin citizens may anticipate a good performance. The large and well-bal-anced choir has been well trained, and four of Dunedin’s best soloists and a good orchestra have been secured. Dr W. Price will be at the organ, and Dr V. E- Galway at thp conductor’s stand ‘■'The Messiah,” if sung in the right spirit, is an inspiration to the hearers, and lovers of the composition will find that , the members of the choir have caught the message of the composer and that from the opening chorus, ■ And the Glory of the Lord,” to the last, "Worthy is the Lamb,” with its magnificent pero ration “Amen,” every moment of the oratorio will be worth listening to.