CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23046, 24 November 1936, Page 5

CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT

Under the conductorship of Mr Victor Peters, the brilliant Christchurch musician, the Dunedin Choral Societywill to-night present Handel’s oratorio “The Messiah,” in the Town Hall. Patrons are urged to be at the hall as early as possible, preferably by 7.55, as the vice-regal party will be arriving at 8 o’clock, and the doors will be closed when the overture is commenced. The choir has been rehearsing steadily for several weeks, with the result that the work has been well prepared. The members all know their music thoroughly, and should be able to respond easily to the directions of the conductor. Dunedin audiences are familiar with Mr Peters’s readings of modern works, with which he has so interested musical people here, and now oratorio-lovers are keenly looking forward to a new and virile interpretation of this familiar and much-loved choral work—a work that is sung at this season of the year in every Eng-lish-speaking country in the world. Mr Peters will have associated with him a fine quartet of soloists, all experienced singers, and all established favourites who have been singing regularly during the past season, and can therefore be expected to be in first-class voice. Mrs N. R. Henderson has established herself as one of the leading local sopranos, her fresh. unforced voice giving her many admirers Miss Bertha Hawlinson has proved herself in Australia recently. coming back to New Zealand literally laden with trophies. Her singing of the contralto solos will ha awaited with interest. The Choral Society’s conductor. Mr Alfred Walmslev, will sing the tenor solos, and Mr F. G. Taplin, the popular young baritone, winner of the Men’s Scholarship at the recent competitions, and second in the Grand Aria contest, will undertake the baritone solos, including the famous “ Why do the Nations ” and “ The Trumpet Shall Sound” (with trumpet played by Mr C. Unwin).