WING WHISPERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 70

WING WHISPERS.

By

Peter Pan

ELLINGTON, September 20. Dear “ Uasquiu,”—A httie over ''five years ago the Royal Wellington Choral Union gav’e a perionnance of Beriioz’s Damnation oi haust, and a repetition on Saturday night held a large audience enthralled. An the weight ot interest was in the singing, tor there were no costumes, of course, nor setting. Mr John Bishop, conductor, had a hard task, but successfully accomplished the feat of imparting a sense of whole-hearted enjoyment. - A last-minute defection that caused a re-arrangement was the absence of Mr Hubert Carter, who was unable to be present, and whose tenor solos were taken by Mr Edwin Dennis. Mr Dennis had only three days’ notice to take up the heavy work as Faust, and in the untoward circumstances he did wonders, Madame Fraser’s beautiful and cultured soprano voice was perfectly suited to the work, and Mr Barry Coney as Mephistopheles was quite at home in his dramatic part, and interpreted the famous-* Song of the Flea ” with superb effect. Mr D. S. Grant was eminently suited to the bass solo “ The Song of Brander,” and revealed himself as a singer with a pleasant voice and platform manner. The choral work was most effective, particularly the “ Hosanna ” chorus for women’s voices, sung with just the right spirit. The orchestral forces served the conductor well, and the performance will remain an outstanding one in the memory- of all who heard it. To Mr Bishop are due sincere congratulations on the excellent performance. Shura Cherkassky, the boy marvel of the piano, delighted a large audience in the Town Hall on Tuesday night, when he amazed an assemblage of first-nighters with the musical attainments that are his. The youthful artist was applauded to the echo, and with a prodigious programme to be got through, he was extremely generous with encores. He seems to combine in his playing the best qualities of most of the older generation of pianoforte genii. He gives his second recital to-night, and it is safe to say that most of those who heard the boy on Tuesday will be in seats to-night to again listen to the prodigy’s playing. His unassuming manner is a delight to see. The gymnastic display of Y.M.C.A. gymnasium classes was even more a revelation than previous presentations. The large audiences followed the programme with eagerness, and gave the clever perfomers and their instructor, Mr Duffy, an ovation. There were over 300 performers, and the stage fascinated with its colour and movement. Delightful buffoonery was supplied by Mr Les Warner, and Ben and Mat, his assistants, while Mr Frank Crowther’s admirabi-j orchestra provided the performers with faultless time.

To-night the Wellington Orchestral Society is giving a concert in the concert chamber, when the Orpheus Quartet will take part, and Mr Ray Kemp will sing. The Hutt Choral Society had the assistance of 2YA’s orchestra at its concert at Lower Hutt recently. A varied selection of choral music both unaccompanied and with the orchestra, vocaj solns and orchestral items, was given, and Mr E. Douglas Tayler is to be congratulated on the success of the recital, while Mr G. Eltwood, who conducted the orchestra, deserves a special meed of praise for his excellent work in that direction. MrHarrison Cook was an outstanding vocalist of the evening, and the part songs also delighted the large audience. The performance was broadcasted. The Wellington Harmonic Society gives a performance in the concert chamber on Saturday night under the conductorship of Mr 11. Temple White. Mrs Wilfred Andrews will be assisting, also Mr Leon de Mauny, violinist, and the Harmonic Q.uartet. The Wellington season of the Percy Hutchison English Comedy Company, to present “ The Laughing Optimist,” “Mr What’s-His-Name? ” and “Luck of the Navy,” commences at the Grand Opera House eanly in October. Doings at the Fuller house still involve the appearance of Stiffy and Mo in nonsensical revue which is more or less amusing. Mr Walter Fuller has returned to Wellington from an extended trip abroad, and brings news of several'new bookings for the firm. Congratulations to Mr William Burton, general manager for New Zealand for Messrs John Fuller and Sons, on the recent acquisition of a large family—• twins —a bov and a girl!