"DAVID, THE SHEPHERD BOY."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 200, 28 September 1900, Page 2

"DAVID, THE SHEPHERD BOY."

The Whitoley Memorial Church waa fairly well filled on Wednesday evening on the occasion of the performance by the Church choir of Iloot'« melodious cantata "David, the Shepherd Boy. Unforiunatey the acoustic properties of the building are not par* ticularly favourable to musical productions, so that the performance m nn t heard at its best, but this was not the fault of the performors, rather it ni their misfortune. Notwithstanding tois drawback the Cantata created a very favourable impression, so much so that a strong desire has bean expressed to have it repeated in auother and, it may be hoped, a more congenial building. The chorus paiis were rendered with a crispness aud etmmbU that was most creditable to singers and conductor, the final " Hosanna " chorus fairly bringing down tho house and securing a well deserved encore. The solo parts were assigned as follows: Abigail, Mrs. G. H. White; Michal, Mr*. Ainbuiy; Abigail's attendants, Misses Brown and Whitburn; David, Mr. E, Griffiths; Jesso, Mr. A. Lee; Samuel, Mr. H. T- Ainsworth; Saul, Mr. A. Gray; Jonathan, Mr. A. Veale; Ihwr and Messenger, Mr. Armitage; Men-of-War, Messrs. Pikett, Okey and Ainsworth; Shepherds, Messrs. Anbury, Boon, Johns, and Collins; Sentinels, Messrs. P. White and E. Chatterton, 11 would have been unreasonable to expect that the soloists would came up to a professional standard of excellence, but they each deserve greet credit for the evident care and p*'"t bestowed on their parts, Of the Mrs. G. H. White's voioe showed to greatest advantage, while in the male parts Mr, A. Gray was not only in first rate voice, but was one of the few whose enunciation was distinct, Mr, Ainsworth's deep voice made the whole building reverberate at times, and was in striking contrast to Mr. E. Griffith's tanor, which was hardly sufficiently powerful to do justice to the prominent part assigned to him. The narrative portions were well deolaimed by Meetrs. P.White and E.Chatterton. Asferthe orchestra it was one of the beat that could be found in the town and performance was a real musical treat, Che performers were First violins, Mr, A. L, Cooke, Mr. A. G. Haigh,and Miss Oannell; secend violin, Mr. Jenkinson; cello, Mr. F. W. Riahmond; bass, Mr. J. Sturmey; cornets, Mr. H. Cottier and Mr. J. Birch; clarionet, Mr. S. Cottier; flute, Mr. R. E. Dowle. Mrs. Hompton presided at the and Mr, J. Whittaker a» the organ, while Mr. G, H, Wbito wielded the butnn with much succeas and.had evidently bestowed infinitu care in the preparation of the cantata. To him therefore is due a large amount of praise for tho success achieved, and aU concerned may be congratulated on a very creditable performance. The work is one that will well bear repetition and in a more favourable building there is no doubt it would be heard to much greater advantage.