Musical Festival

Southland Times, Issue 19232, 19 December 1903, Page 2

Musical Festival

TIIK MESSIAH. Kveryone seems to bo satisfied that tlio | production of 'The Creation' 1 on Thurs- j day evening by the Musical Union was one of the best, if not the best, effort that had been made by them, and great expectations were entertained of the qua!- j ity of the performance last evening of ] Handel's ■■Messiah." These anticipations were not disappointed, a* one can assort, without the least exaggeration, (hut never before ha.s this oratorio been better rendered in lnvercarfjill. From ihe opening recitative to the final chorus the performance went without the sliphthitch, mid the applause of the audience, impartially distributed, testified as :o thi- keen enjoyment which they rereived l.y listening to such splendid music The chorus deserve more than .•asual mention for their admirable sing-i-ig The ensemble and balance wero .is neat perfection us it "us possible to !>i\ arid the expression, attack, mid tono i I. .ft nothing (o be desired Very careful. | >.n ii'ii r, antl n:isiduo'»^ |.wiiw must tuivc tieen tin? rule to h.-.ve brought the i-horus up to the high mark of excellence whirl- they attained Nothing could 1)0 better than the singing of the inspiring 'Hallelujah" chorus— a splendid performance by both orchestra und singers , ulso the* finale. 'Amen." an exceedingly tlnuciih end trying item, but one which was well ti't'ncked and rendered almost faultlessly. The orchestra again deserve every commendation for the excellence of their work The accompaniments to the soloists antl choruses «e«f beautifully done, ajid the own instruuiottlul pieces. 11 n overture and pastoral symphony, u-re nicely and artistically played. \n)vi)fr the instruments.' Mr >W Ferg'ison, as leader, has a large amount of work, and is always ready to giv«< the load t<> the orchestra The second violins were pleasingly promftieiit <«v occasions Mr K 1.0 I'e'it. flautist, did some pretty work in both oratorios, his instrument ■'oiimliug on! Nt intervals in a delightful way Mr I.illurap, lending clarinet . also huil some solo Instrumentation, which h discharged capitally. Mrs K M. McKay, pianist, also deserves commendation The general body of the orchestra did grand work, and to them belong a great deal of the credit of the hugo successes aihie\ed To the soloists, nothine li'it praise can be given. Miss .Murjit.v aciiiii clmrmrd tho audience with iier ;i-ti"«:ic vir^ini; in all Wr solos llor :,;>eei«l successes were cuincd in "How .Vnunful are Uk- Feet," and "I know liiut my Kc-tleeuiei hveth." the latter |Hirli<ulaiiy being a splendid ellort. Mrs >V. F ScandreU. in the contralto solos. V.us also very popular indeed, her singing brin ir m-irked by keen symi>athy and unadectetl expression Her rendering of "He shall fevd His flock," was one of the features of the evening, a beautiful tone bvin<_r produced, and the singer proceeding with conlidence Mrs Scrwid'.-ot ; 'ri jiorioiuiaiice was ull the -nore creditable in that she sang Jiuler diHic.nf ii-s. as slii> was Mi/lering from a cold, which in Hie morning had so far alee'ed h, r voice that it nas feared she would not be aHe to manage her numbers. Mr \. K. Thompson was allotted the tenor solos, and at his hands they received capital i r-eani.enl Tile pretty recitative •('oii!f.irt vo. My I'eople." was liuuly sunit arnl in the opening air. "Every Valley"" shall bf cKulted," the singer excelled 'him^lf in the facility with winch he executed Die difliruit turns nnd mns. Mr Thomps.ui uave several other recitatives, all well done, and in the airs, "He-hold and See." and "Hut Thou didst not lea-ve," he was in very good form indeed. Mr .1 K Taylor, though suffering from a severe cold, which had confined him to nis room that day, scored an almost unprecedented success in his it.ouis, his singing being a marvel of execution and accuracy In "Why do the Nations' 1 Mr i'a.vlor gave a rendering that was simpJy grand, and though keen disappoint-' men* was fe!t when \lr Gray announced that he could not sing "The Trumpet shall Sound." tho audience could not but excuse him. The Union have every cause to be proud ol the performance ol their chorus, orchestra, nnd conductor I . 1 'V "■nrierinßs of "Tho Creation" and Jne Messiah" given on the past two evenings would be hard to bolter in any town in the colony. i'he -success must certainly be highly gratifying to Mr (.ray, who has spared no pains to bring the performers to the highest possible standard. In their conductor the Union nave v gent!en>an whose heart is in his work and whose knowledge of music and aoiuty to conduct ure second to none.