ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 749, 23 August 1929, Page 14

ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR

SECOND CONCERT OF SEASON VARIED PROGRAMME The second concert of the Royal Auckland Choir’s season took place in the Town Hall last night before a large audience. A very varied programme was submitted for performance, and on the whole was successfully interpreted. The choir mustered in large numbers, and sang with commendable verve, though detail, in the matter of clean part singing, clear enunciation and tone shading was not always attended to with scrupulous care. Sometimes the second basses sounded a little dull and heavy, but in general the tone of the choir was full and of good quality, and the intonation fairly dependable. The most interesting part song was “Christ and the Gilly,” a work cast on original lines and full of interesting moments. Though the singers' technique was not impeccable, some excellent effects were obtained, and the performance was deservedly appreciated. Bantock’s “Island Shieling Song” was another attractive number, and contained some effective writing. Both of these songs were welcome, and more of a similar type would add interest to these concerts. Rheinberger’s “Hunter’s Song” received a good manly performance, though the enunciation was not so clear as we are accustomed to hear from the choir. “The Smuggler's Song” was the choir’s least satisfactory number. The intonation in the opening phrases was not very certain, and the tone of the tenors was at times unattractive. Protheroe’s setting of “Invictus” was full and forceful. and went with vigour, while Sullivan’s reflective “The Jong day closes,” sung in memory of two former members, the late Messrs. Perfect and Gough, was given with beautiful smoothness and reverence while the audience stood. Many extra numbers were added as encores. Madam Winnie Fraser’s fine i**ezzosoprano voice was heard to advantage in a number of songs. Her greatest success was in the light little song Bain, which was perfectly sung. “O !. r °™ l h ,y Power,” from -Samson Delilah, was good, but rather suffered from short phrasing. The singer did not seem to quite realise the spirit of Hue's fine song "I Wept. Beloved and in Goatley's “Villanelle” seemed a trifle halting. hile the diction and intonation were hvV a^?° !utely faul Uess. - Moonlight,” Dy K - M°ss, was very attractively sung the singer’s polished style and technique, especially in the excellent “ id< * le and head voice, was particularly to be admired. Madaire fui a en r corei alS ° h6ard ln many delisht * T he Auckland Trio (Misses Bofc-

worth and Wright and Mr. Cyril sey) gave Gade's “Trio in F for the violin, cello and P ia ?, 0 ' unfair success—the “Andantino «o’» the most tasteful section; but xn and the playing rather failed to interest. Miss Ina Boswortli contribute*: violin solos “The Admiral s ° £ and a “Spanish Dance.” Tn« . had the right rollicking swing, . oU f latter some artistic touches, rather lifeless now and again- ettC cr “A flat Valse” was added as ct fl: Miss Molly Wright played solos, of which Cui’s ‘‘°s;L e ° gw&s the most satisfying. displayed good tone and st except for one untoward m< '*7 r the “Rustic Dance” had a A choir of some eighty D * gebofthe Mount Albert Grammar contributed some part sc™, rounds. The tone of the tr ei . sweet, end some good attel J}Liiit oV *' pressiovi were noted, but tn (jgttion was not secure. Mr. a* land conducted the boys & discrimination. Messrs, Bell p ayed the piano with laste, and Dr. Thomas the concert with breadth an judgment. ss*