AMUSEMENTS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12496, 24 March 1909, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THE ROYAL WELSH MALE CHOIR

AUSTRALASIA'S MUSICAL SEN-

SATION.

The announcement that this remarkable band of choristers is to appear at the Theatre Royal, Nelson, on Saturday next under Messrs J. and N. Tait's management, direct from its Australian and New Zealand (en route) triumphs will prove intensely gratifying. In an interview with Mr W. Thomas, the choir's, conductor, the following particulars . were gleaned:—"The choir had a ver" small beginning as the' winners of a prize of £5 at the competition held -in the town of St. Fagan's, near Cardiff. Thus was commenced the long series of competitions in" which these singers have gained so many successes, extending over a period of twenty-two years. This record includes four Na.tional Eisteddfod awards in Northern and Southern Wales — a- unique achievement. 'One of the medals which •I prize most highly,' said MrThomas, 'is this one,' and he held up a gold medarin'scribed with a portrait of Sir John Barnby," with that eminent 'musician's' opinion of the choir in the words surrounding it. 'The finest specimen of singing I ever heard.' This was the last prize the choir won — the first award at the National Eisteddfod in Llandelly, in .1895. 'Two or .three months after that, we were commanded to Windsor to: sing before Queen Victoria,' "said -Mr- Thomas; 'Her Majesty was so delighted that we had to extend our programme.' 'What beautiful voices they. have, and how delicately 'they are trained! was what she saici about the choir. When Mr Randegger,"^ the celebrated teacher of singing, hear.d 1 them at one'bf the competitions in which they were engaged, he declared he never, heard Better voices in England or the Continent, arid that thg tenors especially were magnificent. "It was" lipoft th§' guggestipn of Mr J. H; Ghoatej at that time American Ambassador in England, that the singers undertook their tour of America 18 months ago. Mr Choate heard .them at the house of the Earl of Dunraven, and predicted that they would achieve a great success in America — a forecast which was . amply verified. Their reputation, not only in their own- country, Wales, but all over England; is deservedly great. The members of the choir are all working men, who have obtained twelve months' leave of absence for this tour, just as they obtained leave to go to America, their ; places being kept open. for them until their return. The tenor soloist is a collier, another is a carpenter, and another a grocer. Mr Thomas, when asked to account for the: success of the choir, said it was due to steady, uriremiting work together." The box plan opens at Jackson's, stationer, this morning at 10 o'clock. Country residents . are advised to book by post. Forward postal note and stamped address envelope for reply to J. and N. Taite; care box office. Prices are fixed at 5s (reserved), 3s $pd 2s.