CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 70

CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Th© Garrison Hall was well filled on the let inst. to hear the performance of MiacCunn's " Z^jrd Ullin's Daughter " and Oide'a " Comala " by the Dunedin Choral Society. These have been in active relieareal for some time, and a wonderfully good grip had been obtained of the two works, particularly the latter. There was some room for improvement in the performance of "Lord Ullin's Daughter." Both tenors and basses exhibited a tenIdefncy towards weakness when left to themMfres, but where the chorus was sung full the effect was exceedingly good. At the Conclusion of tne performance of " Lord Ullin's Daughter" the audience signified sts appreciation in a _ very hearty manner,

' and Mr Gfeo Gun eang " The sands of Dee," with considerable taste, and narrowly escaped an encore. Of course the real performance cf the evening was " Comala," which is rounded on the loves of Comala and Fingal, King of Morven. A short orcheei v p.l introduction, the rendering of whicn presented no special feature, was followed by the chorus for male voices " Up, sound ye tne horn." This was given with really fine etiect. There was a good swing about it all through, , and it was attacked with confidence and | decision, and may be regarded as one of the best of the male choruses given. The recitative and duet for soprano and bass, " Farewell, my beloved,"' which falls to the lot of Comala. and Fingal, represented by Mrs R. Hudson and llr Geo. Gurr respectively, was very creditably given. Mr Gurr sang the recitative with very good • declamatory effect, but Fingal's music is better suited to a heavier type of bass than that possessed by Mr Gurr. It is in music of a lighter character, where sympathetic treatment is required, that Mr Gurr is heard to the best advantage, and this was shown by the manner in which he sung his part in the- duet. The chorus ."Up for the fight" was another good piece of chorus- work. The spirit of the chorus seemed to impress itself upon the singers, and the vigorous, stirring render- ! ing met with the reception it was entitled j to. From this chorus emerged a fine piece of recitative for Mrs Hudson, to which that lady did ample justice. Connected with it was a chorus for ladies' voices. " Sorrow not, why art thou weeping?", !The manner in which this and other choruses were sung justifies the impression that the lady members of the ohorus devote a great deal of study, probably in their homes, to the music they are called upon to interpret. Practically throughout the evening they exhibited a more intimate acquaintance with their work than the gentlemen of the chorus did with theirs. One of the most taking items in " Comala " is the soprano ballad, with chorus, " One day there came from Lochlin,' sung by Dersagrena. This was entrusted to Miss Frances Grant, and was very well bung indeed. ' Still'd is the fight " was Mrs Hudson's test piece of the evening, and she asquitted herself exceedingly well in it. In the chorus that accompanied it, however, the singers got a little astray, but quickly recovered themselves. It was the only occasion on which any real inaccuracy was noticeable. The orchestra is to be congratulated upon its playing up to this point, but in the accompaniment to Mrs Hudson's solo, just referred, to, the instrumentalistsNrather buried the voice. The verdict of the audience would probably be that the succeeding number, " Our pathway is the storm," was the finest piece of vocalisation it listened to. This chorus was sung full, and was given with great effect. On the other hand, the chorus " Far fted is the foe " fared badly when compared with the renderings, of the other choruses. The singers dioV not appear to be at their ease, and sang with some degree of uncertainty. Mr Gurr, who had had a rest since his duet with Mrs Hudson, sang the solo " Let me gaze on my beloved " expressively, and the chorus " In the darkness of the clouds" concluded the concert. Mrs J. R. Glover sang, the contralto part of Meliconra, j which is comparatively small, satisfactorily. Mr Jas. Coombs carried out the duties of oonductor efficiently.