RETURNED SOLDIERS’ CHOIR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3782, 7 September 1926, Page 80

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ CHOIR.

The second concert of the current season was given by the Dunedin Returned Soldier?’ Choir in His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday evening, the attendancs of the public being very large. The programme opened with the “Soldiers’ Chorus” from “Faust,” a time-honoured custom, the item being sung with all tbe vigour that it requires. A soloist in Mr M. O’Sullivan sang Anderson’s “Song' of Triumph” more than creditably. Mr O’Sullivan was recalled and was equally pleasing in his encore item, which he sang very tastefully. “In the Monastery,” by Palestrina, was 6ung by the choir with a correct appreciation of the theme, and with a reverential spirit. The atmosphere in which the music was conceived was well considered, and was a fine example of how to obtain pianissimo effect —an inseperable accompaniment to melodies of a religious tendency. The audience was eo well pleased with the item that a portion had to be repeated. A sol# was contributed by Mias Valda M‘Curdy, who has been frequently before the public lately. Miss M'Curdy’s selection vas Sullivan’s “Alas, I am a Bride,” which she sang very commendably, though the expression seemed a trifle exaggerated. Hsr singing met with so much appreciation that she was compelled to add another song, which proved equally acceptable to the audience. The compliment of th 3 recall was added to by the gift of a very handsome bouquet. A humorous song, “The Pump,” by West, was reintroduced by the choir. The solo part was taken by Mr P. Si Anderson. The soloist was interrupted by other members of the choir, as *o the introduction of a pump, in a protesting spirit, and the chorus went very merrily. It proved a favourite with the audience, and had to be repeated. A capitally played cornet solo was supplied by Mr George Christie, whose gendering of Sullivan’s “Lost Chord” is to be highly commended. A full band of brass instruments supplied the ac companiments and was at odd times a trifle too loud for the solo instrument. That does not, however, alter the fact that Mr Christie played his solo exceedingly well. Mr Christie was recalled for his fine performance. The second part, of the programme was opened by the St. Kilda Band, which, under the direction of the conductor, Mr J. Dixon, gave a fine rendering of Rimmer s “Rustic Scenes.” Maunder has written a good many stirring compositions, and amongst them is “The Song of the Northmen,” which was the next choir item provided for the enjoyment of the audience. The part-song offers an opportunity for varied treatment, and whatever the theme may have been the choir sang well. In the more vigorous portions it was probably more successful than in quieter vein, but Maunders song was very well sung throughout. It was a great pleasure to hear Mr John T. Leech sing Schubert's “Who is Sylvia,” which suited his voice admirably. Not satisfied with recalling Mr Leech once, the audience insisted upon a still further contribution to his initial song. Something “soft and low” was the choir’s next contribution. “Softly Fall the Shades of Evening” is amongst the most beautiful of the many airs written by Hatton, and under skilful guidance the choir gave a very pleasing interpretation of it. There was a prevailing softness about the rendering that was very attractive. The duet pelection from Puccini’s “La Boheme,” as sung by Messrs P. S. Anderson and A. J. Parker, was not an unqualified success Still the effort was worthy of the applause it met with, and the vocalists had to give a further contribution. Julius Harrison’s

“Song of the Bards” was very tastefully sung by the choir, which closed the concert with a vigorous rendering of Maunder’s “Thor's War Song.” Before the final item, however, Miss Valda M'Curdy made a second appearance, and sang Dorothy Forster’s “Love’s Valley” vsry nicely. The choir was conducted by Mr J. Leech, and the accompaniments were played by Mr L. James.