WESTMINSTER ABBEY GLEE AND CONCERT PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 89, 11 April 1903, Page 2

WESTMINSTER ABBEY GLEE AND CONCERT PARTY.

That the opportunity of hearing wall trained solo and concerted singing proves attractive to musical loving New Plymou f h was abundantly evident oa Fi-idiy evening, when the above combination gave a sacred concert; at the Theitre Royal, which was attended by a hrgj and appreciative attendance. Such of the itoms : s were not strictly sacrod, were certainly suitable to (he o-casion, and gave a tinge of tone colouring to the entertainment. Without exception every item on the programme was receive! with universal appliuse, and demands for encores were the rule. It was evident the choristers had not recoverei from t'io efleots of their tei trip from Auckland, and tbey did not therefore appe ir to sue advantages asjregards both tute and ton- production, as will b ) the case to-night, bu 1 ; their enunciation was excellent, and th ;y proved tin msolvea to be most orcditabl'i ex lojpe of highly trained catbe liil bey sing rs Mo Eiward Br did ample j'is'.ice to his splendid tenor voice, especially in ths !for*i-sim;> ps ag»H. Ho sings wish great tas'o und artistic skill, und the audiene? gave him un«tint?d applause. Mr Percy Coward's penetrating musioil alto was a striking fea'U'einthe concerted i'ems, and his polo singing was very sweet and pure, b ;ing a great and rare treat; to nil preheat. Mr Herbe.t Hilton's bas» voice also gave the audience v. ry grea"i pi'as ire. his rendering of " Rocked in the cradle of , thiid-ii-p" being perfect, txeep*. for a tendency to that irritating tr«m Jo, which mtis so rrnr.y good voices. Madame Marie H iuton, the coi'ralo of tho par y, his a voici of grand powor and sweetnes*, and h«r singing is technically very tru" bu"; lather lacking in soul, yet she g-its in some vory fino effects and in seiulir musia should ta heard to greater advantage. The gem i f Friday's concert was the quartet " God is a Spit it" and it aroused the aud ence to a high pitch <.f enthusiasm. Th.* uuacoimp ,nied music wns rendered with excellent and novel eft' c's and should p : ove an obj c 1' fison to members of local choirs. Thu CJoran'ition ft'-d o her anthem wtro also given with fine precision, atid expression. Altogether it was a most enjoyable concert quite worthy of the best tradition of the Abbey choir.

TO-NIGHT. In consequence of a generally expreFsed wish tn the p'ir'y'ss cular programme Mr Br.viscoinbe hag arranged to give ft eorcai'Vhi 1 pio:;r->.mme of which will Le fouud in our advertising columns, It is an opportunity

thit should beeinbr.owi by th« publlo gen- rally and tb«ra should be tn Overflowing ho <s«.