“LIFE CRUCIFIXION”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21989, 26 June 1933, Page 8

“LIFE CRUCIFIXION”

PERFORMANCE BY COMBINED CHOIRS There was an extremely large audience in the Town Hall last evening when a combined choir of some 450 voices, including 30 boys from St. Paul’s, St. Matthew's, and St. Martin’s Churches, pre-' seated Stainer’s sacred cantata “The Crucifixion.” The proceeds from the performance are to be devoted to the Mayor’s Relief Fund, which should benefit considerably as a result. Under the control of Mr Alfred Walmsley, the choir sang with excellent balance and cohesion, the famous choruses “The Appeal of the Cruicified ” and “ Fling Wide the Gates ” being presented with fine power and rich interpretative expression. The chorus, “ God So Loved the World,” which was sung unaccompanied, was a tasteful and inspiring performance. The treble parts provided by the group of choir boys were very effective. The soloists were Mr E. R. Benton (bass), Mr Ernest Drake (tenor), and Mr Allan Fleming (baritone), all of whom acquitted themselves with distinction. The hymn, “ When 1 Survey the Wondrous Cross,” with which the performance was brought to a close, was sung by the choir and the large audience, and was a thrilling and impressive conclusion to a notable presentation. The accompaniments were admirably played on the organ by Dr V. E. Galway.