“OLIVET TO CALVARY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22544, 11 April 1935, Page 7

“OLIVET TO CALVARY”

CANTATA AT ST. PAUL’S The choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral presented the well-known sacred cantata “ From Olivet to Calvary ” at the Cathedral last evening when, despite the threatening weather conditions, there was a large attendance. The beautiful music of J. H, Maunder is always acceptable, but the interpretation given last night enhanced the delicacy of the melodies and gave the more dramatic portions a dignity and grace such as few choirs are able to infuse into the cantata. “ From Olivet to Calvary ” consists of a selection of incidents in the life of the Saviour during the last days before the crucifixion, and leads up with dramatic force to the final scenes where the death sentence is passed and the crucifixion carried out. The cantata offers a number of particularly excellent solos, amt the recitatives also give the singers ample scope, not only for artistic interpretation but also for the more robust type of rendering, which can be made extremely effective. The soloists for last night’s presentation proved to be fully competent to present their parts to the best advantage, and the choir did not fail in the important work of providing the background and lending the necessary colour of part-singing. Mr H. Drake, tenor, was in good voice, and his work met with the evident appreciation of the congregation. The baritone was Mr J. L. D. Ritchie, whose singing, particularly in the recitatives which fell to his lot, was of a high class, and Mr E. Bond was heard to exceptional advantage in the bass solos. A work such as “ From Olivet to Calvary ” can be made or marred by the accompanying music, and it is not too much to say that a great deal of the success of the presentation was due to the work of the organist, Mr E. Heywood.