FINE COMBINED PERFORMANCE

Southland Times, Issue 25794, 4 October 1945, Page 3

FINE COMBINED PERFORMANCE

“ELIJAH” PRESENTED AT DUNEDIN

Assisted by the Invercargill Musical Union, and with Mr Alfred Walmsley, of Invercargill, as guest conductor, the Dunedin Choral Society presented Mendelssohn’s oratorio “Elijah” in the Dunedin Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Mr Denis Dowling, the Ranfurly baritone who has achieved success overseas, was unable, because of throat trouble, to sing more than a small section of a role in which he gained distinction in England. The performance presented by the combined choirs was eminently satisfying, says The Otago Daily Times. The balance was good, there was a brightness and buoyancy in the tone, and the great power at the command of the singers enabled the many fine choruses in the oratorio to be given their full dramatic and devotional value. The flexibility displayed by the choir was also highly impressive, and in the more restrained choruses the delicacy of tone and control were admirable. Among the major choral numbers were “Help! Lord,” “Blessed are the Men,” which was notable for its quiet devotional feeling. “Baal, We Cry to Thee,” and “Thanks be to God,” in which the singers successfully met the heavy demands made upon them, “Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord,” and “He, Watching Over Israel,” two delightfully restrained numbers, “Behold! God the Lord Passed By,” and the majestic climax, “And Then Shall Your Light.” The role of the prophet is one of the great dramatic parts in the oratorio and it was indeed unfortunate that Mr Dowling’s indisposition necessitated his leaving the platform after he had sung the introductory recitative, “As God the Lord of Israel Liveth,” and the duet with Miss Dora Drake, “Thou Shalt Love the Lord Thy God,” for even in the circumstances it was obvious that his vocal and artistic accomplishments had advanced greatly since he was last heard in Dunedin in June 1935. Mr A. J. H. Jeavons took over when Mr Dowling w~.s compelled to relinquish the role, and sang it with sound dramatic insight and fine depth of expression. His handling of the major arias, “Lord God of Israel,” “Is Not His Word Like a Fire?” and “It is Enough,” and the many exacting recitatives, was notable for the sincerity and authority of his readings. Mr T. E. West, of Christchurch, sang the tenor role with distinction, the flowing phrasing of his principal airs, “If With All Your Hearts” and “Then Shall the Righteous,” and the fine vocal control he maintained in his recitatives, giving the part an important place in the performance. Miss Dora Drake’s soprano role was sung with sureness and attractive artistry, her principal aria,“Hear Ye. Israel,” being invested with rich shading. Miss Mary Pratt sang the contralto role beautifully, her arias, “Woe Unto Them,” and the lovely “O Rest in the Lord,” being delightfully handled. Misses Drake and Pratt and Mrs Eva Stewart also sang the trio, “Lift Thine Eyes to the Mountains” with fine blend and balance.

The 4YA Orchestra, under the leadership of Miss Ethel Wallace, provided a generally well-controlled accompaniment to the performance, although the brasses were occasionally at fault, and Dr V. E. Galway’s organ accompaniments were nicely restrained.