SCHOOL OF MUSIC. "THE CAPTIVES OF BABYLON."

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10568, 17 November 1902, Page 1 (Supplement)

SCHOOL OF MUSIC. "THE CAPTIVES OF BABYLON."

There was a large audience at the School of "Music on Nov. 4, when the oratorio by G. Shlnn, "The Captives of Babylon, ' ' was performed for the first time in Nelson. The first part of the oratorio deals with the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity, and the second part with the fall of Babylon, and the liberation of the Jews. The story gave scope for the composer, and it is due to say that the music is highly effective, more particularly the joyous music to wards the end of the oratorio. From the remarks of tfie Rev. E. O. Robison, Vicar of All Saints', which were made just prior to the commencement of the second part, we learnt that the performers included members of every church choir in Nelson. The rev. gentleman, on behalf of the church authorities, thanked Mr Harold Light, F.G.0., the conductor, who had undertaken the production of the oratorio, and he also thanked the soloists, Mrs W. Snodgrass, Miss King, Mr A. P. Lucas, and Mr W. Atmore, the members of the chorus, the musicians who had volunteered their services and who formed the orchestra, and all who had assisted in other ways. Mr Robison mentioned that the object of the performance was to provide funds towards the completion of the organ at All Saints' Church.

The oratorio was produced in a manner that calls only for praise. All the soprano solos were taken by Mrs W. Snodgrass, whose voice was heard to advantage in this music. We may specially refer to her rendering of the airs "Hearken to the Lord Jehovah," and "Banished from all they held sacred, ' ' in which she sang with the flute. The solo ' ' As for our harps" was an artistic rendering, and the air " Presumptious Monarch," and the solo "Down from the willows take your harps" were very effectively sung. Miss King, who took the contralto . solos, was heard to advantage in the solo "A voice was heard in Ramah. '' The tenor solos were sung by Mr A. P. Lucas, who was somewhat lacking in force in the earlier part, but in thesecond he was heard to better advantage, and we may specially refer to his rendering of the solo "Rend your hearts," and of the recitative "Thus saith Cyrus." Mr W. Atmore, who took the bass solos, was heard last night for the first time by many of those present, and we are sure that the general wiah will be that he may be heard frequently, for his voice is of a particularly 'pleasing quality. His rend3ring of the air "Oh, Thou that dwellest upon many waters" merits special mention. The quartette in the first part was much appreciated, and those in the second part, "Sing, O Heavens," and ' ' When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, " as well as the duets, soprano and contralto, were also very enjoyable. The choruses in the oratorio are all very effective, and last night they went capitally, showing that great care had been taken in the practices. Of the orchestral work also we have to speak in terms of praise. Miss Coote, L.A.8., the organist, lent material aid, and Miss Buchanan, leader of the orchestra/ and the other instrumentalists all did well. Mr Harold Light, F.G.0., is deserving of high praise, not only for the capable manner in which he conducted, but also for his work which led to so pleas- . ing, and from a musical point of view, so suceasful a' production of the oratorio.