“THE MESSIAH”

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 79, Issue 7146, 16 December 1949, Page 4

“THE MESSIAH”

VISIT Of HAMILTON BAPTIST CHURCH CHOIR INSPIRING RENDITION IN TE AWAMUTU Handel s oratorio “Messiah” has won an undisputed place in the Eng-lish-speaking world as a Christmas institution, though this was not the inception of the composer under whose direction it was first performed in a music hall, Fishamble Street, Dublin, on the 13th April, 1742. In England it was performed tor the first time at Covent Garden Tneatre, London, on the 23rd March, 1743. The words of the text were selected from the Bible ostensibly by Charles Jennens, but it is more probable that the work was done by his chaplain Pooley with suggestions from tne composer. This work has probaiy been one of the chief influences in creating a British tradition of choir singing. By any standards it is not an easy work. For its first performances Handel had requested that the singers should be able to “read at sight” and when he complained strongly in his halting English asking whether a particular tenor came-up to his requirements he received an Irishman’s reply “Not at first sight, sor.” Yet down through the fol.owing generations it has come to be recognised as a standard work by which others are measured. Those who were present on Wednesday evening at the Empire Theatre to hear a visiting choir of 54 voices trom the Hamilton Baptist Church, were able to appreciate that tradition of choral music of which we may well be proud. From the opening chorus “And the Giory of the Lord” the precision of attack gave a thrilling effect. The conductor Mr G. Salthouse is to be congratulated on the excellence of the chorus singing. The balance between the parts was successfully achieved, especially noticeable in the chorus “All We Like Sheep.” Yet the greatest effects were in the latter choruses, “Hallelujah,” “Worthy is the Lamb,” and the concluding “Amen” chorus, where the climaxes were probably the best part of the whole performance. The soprano soloist Miss Gwen Phill had a voice of excellent clarity, well suited to the florid style of most of her solos. Mrs Ruby Woodward brought to the contralto solos the sincere interpretation which they demand. The spiritual quality in the solo “He Was Despised and Rejected” was especially worthy of mention in this respect. Mr John Andrew with a voice of excellent quality brought that convincing style which his solos require in an admirable manner. It would be difficult to Single out any particular solo of his as especially worthy of mention as his singing throughout was of superb quality. Mr John Woodward sang the tenor solos in a very acceptable manner. The performance received considerable support from the reliable handling of the accompaniment from the pianist, Mrs E. Chalmers, while the organist, Mrs J. Trevarton, added the sustaining part required in recitative passages and gave a very acceptable rendering of the Pastoral Symphony. Floral tributes were presented at the conclusion of the performance. An attractive feature was the decoration of the theatre with flowers and ferns. It is to be hoped that the visit of the Hamilton Baptist Church choir will be a regular event from time to time. Their performance was of a standard which the Waikato may well be proud.