THE “MESSIAH”

Southland Times, Issue 22457, 18 December 1934, Page 8

THE “MESSIAH”

ORATORIO THIS EVENING. Musical Invercargill owes to Mr Charles Gray a debt it can never pay. For more years than anyone cares to count he saw to it that the standards of musical endeavour were kept high and his skill and energy were the mainspring of performances, particularly choral, of which the community was justly proud. Associated prominently with that splendid work was Handel’s “Messiah” which so often was a feature of the musical year, and it is fitting that the massed choirs and orchestra desiring to mark their appreciation of Mr Gray’s work in Invercargill should decide to present this oratorio once again. In London the “Messiah” is performed every year and it is still one of the outstanding events of the year, so persistent is its hold on popular favour. This year Mr Herbert P. Weston will be the conductor and he will have over two hundred performers under his baton. The performance will be of especial interest because his interpretation of the work will be keenly awaited. The rehearsals have been carried through enthusiastically, and the choir gives promise of a performance that will be to its credit. For the performance this year the principal soloists will be Mrs J. E. Davies (soprano),. Miss Bartha Rawlinson (contralto), Mr L. E. Dailey (tenor) and Mr Alex McDowell (bass). Popular prices are being charged and the “Messiah” will be sung to-morrow night as well, and it is anticipated that there will be large gatherings at the Civic Theatre, not only to enjoy Handel’s master work, but to join with the performers in doing honour to Mr Charles Gray.