"FAUST."

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 409, 2 June 1915, Page 5

"FAUST."

MUSICAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The conductor of the Musical Society (I.)r J. C. Bradshaw) had every reason to be gratified with the cordiality of the reception which was given him last evening when he resumed his old place on the stand. The society has had its vicissitudes, and it has experienced rather more than the average number of changes that distinguish the careers of such organisations. The numerical strength of the chorus and orchestra last evening gave some solid ground for hope that dilliculties are being overcome, and that the future holds promise of brighter days. In deciding to open the new season with a concert recital of "Faust," the society made a very happy choice. There is no grand operatic story which is better known than the tragic love episode of Margarita and Faust, and few grand opera scores have such a wide popularity. The principal airs are familiar to the most casual patron of music, and their beauty and melodiousness make them practically indispensable in the repertoires of even the most amateur performers. It is too much to expect that a concert recital would be invested with anything approximating the interest which a full stage presentation would arouse. However, opportunities of hearing grand opera on that large scale are so few and far between that the less pretentious form of a concert recital is hcartily r welcome.

The Musical Society can be congratulated quite honestly on its performance last evening. The standard of attainment in both solo and concerted work was good. It was a distinct pleasure to the audience to renew acquaintance with Mr Frank Graham, whose capabilities as a tenor soloist are so well-known. His experience in grand opera, added to his own natural talent, enabled ■him to invest his work with fine dramatic art. His singing of the cavatina, "All Hail, Thou Dwelling Pure and Lowly," was really excellent in tone and artistry, and all his numbers were distinguished by his sympathetic and tasteful interpretation. Mr L. C. Barnes had the Mephistopheles solos, and though he missed something of the subtlety of the character, his performance was an entirely creditable one. He did very fine work in the solo "Clear the Way for the Calf of Gold," and the audience recognised the fine, vigorous spirit with which he invested it by requiring an encore. Miss Millicent Jennings was allotted the music of Margarita, 'and she gave a very pleasing rendering of her solos. Her voice lacked the brilliancy which adds so much to the effectiveness of "The Jewel Song," but her quieter style was quite pleasant, and she managed, the vocal intricacies of the solo with most commendable skill. Her work throughout was nicely restrained. Miss Jennings has probably not been heard to better advantage. Miss Dulcie Mitchell sang the music of Martha, a small part which gave her few opportunities, but she sang with u good appreciation of the music, and did all she had to do in an eminently satisfactory style. Miss Lezard also had a minor part, but she sang prettily enough. Mr S. Williamson was also in comparative obscurity as Valentine; his voice is marred by a most persistent vibrato, and his performance was not at all equal to his interpretative capacity. The work of the chorus was distinguished by a healthy vigour; in fact, the vigour was at times too lusty. Some of the chorus, the sopranos particularly, seem to have an idea that a forte chorus demands the exercise of their maximum of vocal, and even physical, energy. The result was that occasionally the volume of sound smote the ear rather unpleasantly. On the whole, however, the chorus carried through its part with more than a little credit. The orchestra also deserves a word of praise for its genuinely good work. There was occasionally a little more enthusiasm than restraint, but the whole effect of the orchestral performance was so pleasing that one is not at all inclined to be hypercritical. The concert was largely attended, and it is to be hoped that subsequent entertainments will meet with the generous support which the society merits.