ORATORIO AT HAWERA

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1934, Page 8

ORATORIO AT HAWERA

MR. ANDERSON TYREE CONDUCTOR. EXCELLENT PRESENTATION. An excellent presentation of “St Therese of the Child Jesus” was given by the pupils of the Hawera Convent, assisted by the Orchestral Society and male choii’, in St. Joseph’s Church, Hawera, last night before a large and enthusiastic audience. The oratorio was under the conductorship of Mr. Anderson Tyrer, who is one of England’s foremost conductors. The sanctuary of the church was decorated with palms, and the whole of the altar was surmounted by a hand-paint-ed picture of “The Little Flower” in whose honour the oratorio was presented. A choir of 100 voices sat on both sides of the altar, while the orchestra occupied the central position. Mr. Tyrer was introduced by the Mayor, Mr. J. E. Campbell. The Mayor thanked him for the honour he had conferred upon the sisters by coming from Wellington to conduct their presentation, and he congratulated Hawera on having such a distinguished musician for the occasion. ~ The oratorio consisted of choruses, quartets, trios, duets and solos, all bearing upon the life of a little French maid who from her birth was endowed with a spirituality which showed she was specially chosen by God to lead a perfect life. “The Little Way” was her means of accomplishing it

The evening opened with the overture “Oberon” by the orchestra,, followed by the choir singing a two-part chorus “Ave Maria,” which had been composed by Dr. Chas Vincent on the occasion of his first visit to New Zealand as examiner of Trinity College of Music. One of the most outstanding features of the evening was the singing of “Adoro te Devote” by the boys’ choir with full chorus. At the request of Mr. Tyrer a two-part chorus, “Nymphs and Shepherds,” was sung by the choir. “The Little Flower” was beautifully presented in . three parts, the first being “The Childhood of St. Therese,” followed by “The Miracle” and “Autumn Sunset.” The singing and orchestral work was, without exception,’ of a very high standard and will long be remembered at Hawera.

Parts other than the choruses were taken by Mrs. F. Lowe, Misses P. Ekdahl, N. Robb, D. Gilmore, W. Mills, J. Goodwin, O. Hancock, M. Lander, A. White and E. Twaddle. Accompaniments were played by Mrs. P. O. Veale (piano) and Mr. Gilmore McConnell (organ).

Mr. Tyrer personally thanked the orchestra and expressed the hope that he would have an opportunity to be with them some time in the future.