"THE MESSIAH."

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15259, 22 December 1919, Page 4 (Supplement)

"THE MESSIAH."

HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT,

November 28th

The enduring admiration which. "The Messiah" commands was shown by the very lavge audience at the School of Music last night, when the Nelson Harmonic Society gave their annual presentation of Handel's great religious work. It was remarked that the singers' benches were better filled than has been the case for some time past. The instrumental music was given, by organ and siring orchestra. Mr. J. B. Lemmer conducted the performance with his customary close attention to both the score and the spiritual meaning of the ora*torio. Miss Jacobs took the soprano part in a manner that entitles her to a full measure of praise. In the arias, a call is made for skilful treatment, and something more besides, to ensure the proper result, and in no* case did Miss •Jacobs ..fail. Shs added feeling and brilliance, and this raised her singing to a high level. The tenor solos were finely sung by Mr. Kenneth Farmer, the quality of his voice and his thoughtful inter-r pretatioris making a distinct impression. It will be largely the singing of Mis 3 Jacobs and Mr. Farmer that last night's performance will be remembered for. Mr. H.. Glover sang the bass solos with care, but. of course, they are of such a character that they require more than that. It was at very short notice that Mrs. Lemmer undertook the contralto solos, and the aiidience recognised her kindness—she was also singing with the altos—by appreciative applause. There was vigour and crispness in the work of both chorus and orchestra, and some of the rich and glorious passages so familiar yet always welcome because of the genius that is enshrined in them, were satisfactorily reproduced. The playing o? the Pastoral Symphony was warmly applauded.- Miss K. Fairhall led the orchestra, which was mainly composed of ladies, and Miss A7". Wilding and Mr N. R. Williams were at the piano ,and organ respectively. v