OPENING OF THE ALEXANDRA HALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 4243, 18 January 1883, Page 2

OPENING OF THE ALEXANDRA HALL.

"ELIJA H."

The opening of the Alexandra Hall took place last evening, when a largo audience was present to witness the ceremony, and to hear the Oratorio of " Elijah" by the members of the Philharmonic Society. Punctually at 7.45 p.m. His Worship the Mayor (Captain W. Bayly) and It. Parriß, Esq., ascended the stage. His Worship the Mayor said :— Ladies and Gentlemen, — It gives me much pleaBure to have the honor of opening this commodious and very handsomo hall. Its erection is an indication of the progress New Plymouth is making. The fact o£ our harbour being a success, our geographical position, railway communication, and the beautiful climate we possess, New Plymouth should** be amongst the chief townw in New Zealand ; and the building o£ this hall convinces me that the people oH the place have sufficient energy and euterprise to make the town worthy of the •plendid districts of which it is the metropolis. As you are no doubt anxiously waiting to hear the Oratorio which the talented members of the Philharmonic Society have been preparing for your amusement, I will not delay you with a long speech, but at once declare fche Alexandra Hall open. After the Mayor had declared the hall open, Mr. Forrest, the conductor, took up his position, and the National Anthem was performed by the members of the Society, the audience standing. Mr. Parris said : Ladies and Gentlemen, — I have been requested to say a few words on the opening of the Alexandra Hall. Tho first thought, no doubt, that occurs to you will be, why have they selected me to perform this duty, instead o£ some one more competent? I can only explain it by telling you that my friends considered the duty devolved upon me on account of my being President of the Philharmonic Society ; and I think I may say that when you open your next new hall in New Plymouth I hope you will have another gentleman as President of the Society to perform the duty. Since the destruction of the Odd Fellows' Hall, you all know the shifts we have been put to, to obtain a place for entertainments, whether musical or otherwise. A few gentlemen took tho matter up, and called a public meeting for the purpose of form mg a company. They opened a share list for all to subscribe, and subscribed liberally themselves, for the purpo3e of providiug for a want long felt— the erection of a new Hall for public entertainments. You all know that such uadertakings are attended with great responsibility, and a great deal of trouble and tiire arc necessary, therefore I submit that these gentlemen are entitled to the thanks of! the community for their liberality and energy in providing this excellent and commodious building in which we are assembled for the first entertainment (applause). The Directors have honored the Philharmonic Society with tho privilege of opening the Hall. For this occasion they have engaged the services of the talented conductor, Mr. Forrest, who has selected tho Oratorio of Elijah to put before you thi ; evening. Elijah is one of tho grandest oratorios that was ever written — grand in its sublime theme and exquisite music; and grander still as a master-piece of the talented com poser. For a new Society, composed of amateurs, to undertake the performance of this oratotio is no light matter I assure you. It is a great strain — and has been a great strain on the talented and able conductor, and I suppose a greater straiu upon the members of the Society. For a night or two after the first practice I began to fear at times whether the effect would not be so r.ething' similar to that which tbe prodrction of the piece had on the great com lose.. For a night or two the ladies looked ve-y fagged ; butl suppose you will say how can that bo the case when they look lo bright now. (Laughter). Their ro iductor (who is a bit of a martinet, I may te'lyou) has worked with undaunted sp'iit, and the members of the Society have wo ked hard; and I hope they will prove to- li'jht th t they have given their conductor satnfaction. I will not detain you with a long sp eh to-night, as you came to hear the minic, and not to hear me. We e~pec.eci to have had a better orator to ad-d-ess you, and in that case I would not have been standing here ; but as he is not before you I hope you will have the kindreds to g.acio isly accept what I have said. Before leaving off I wish to bring to the notice of you all the very satisfactory manner in which Messrs. Berry and Newman, tho contractors, have carried out their cojtract. (Applause). I need not praise their work — it is before you, and you can judge for yourselves by ocular demonstration. I have also to mention that Mr. Saxton has very kindly lent the piano for this evening. With these few remarks I will now introduce Mr. Forrest, the talented conductor, who has had some arduous labour in wo -king the piece up; and next to him I would also introduce tho ladies and gentlemen, who will now perform the oratorio for your entertainment. (Applause). ORATORIO OF "ELIJAH." Those who heard the Philharmonic Society last night — and the hall was filled — will agree with us that a fair idea of the composer's greatness was given in the performance of Mendelsshon's grand oratorio of " Elijah." The lion's share of the v/o-k, of course, is with the choristers Such choruses ha\ c never been heard, and .Bdch able co^iducting has never been seen, in New Plymouth befo-e. It is a revelation of what intelligence in the hands of determined, energetic skill can effect. The text of "Elijah" is entirely composed of passages from Scripture, and comprises four principal events. Thee rre — tho fearful judgment of the diought, which lasted three years ; the raising to life of the widow's child ; the assembling of the, Prophets of Baal ; and the sacrifico of Elijah, its acceptance, and the departure of the Prophet, and his subsequent translation to Heaven. The genius of Mendelssohn could scaicely fail to produce from such material a magnificent and enduring woik. This is undo>.b.edly the result; but the style in so massive and dramatic that it trust be owned tho Philharmonic Society were somew.iat bold' in undertaking a work which required an exceedingly large chorus* and a complete band, to say nothing of solo singers, in order to give what to musical persons could not, however perfect the Society might be, individunlly or collectively, prove a satisfactory performance. The rendering of the Oratorio last night was, however, a surprise even to those who had heard it performed by professionals, and we must congratulate all concerned on the (success that wefi achieved. Proceeding now to notice the programme in detail we find wo have very much to commend. The introductory recitative, "As God, the Lord," was rendered well, in both singing and enunciation. Tho overture was perfect, the string portion of the band being everything that could be desired. Iv tho chorus, "Help Lord" tho opening phase was taken very decidedly, producing un excollent effect. " The Deep affords no water" was well performed, and was followed by the lovely duet sung by Mrs. Robinßon and Miss Humphries " Zion spreadeth her hands." The recitative, " Ye people rend your hearts," and the air, If with all your hearts," wore sung with great correctness, the only fault being a slight want of earnestness. In the chorus, " Yet doth the Lord," was given in a clear and telling manner — the words " For He —the Lord" being well sustained. The recitative, " Elijah, get thee hence," could scarcely have been improved upon. The doubfo qwtflttv, "Fw He tall gto, 1

wont well, the firm sinking oE the contralto and basses adding to its telling effect. "Now Cherith's brook is dried up" was very claarly declaimed by. v Mrs. Knight. Tho duet, "Help ine^MnirofGol," wis renleivsd with gre.U edrnestnoss> whilst the part of Elijah was Riven with animated And drain itic effect. Th-3 lovely chorus, '" Blessud are men," wentinamost perfect maun jr. Although the voices wen* uot powerfuldiough to do justice to the fino dramatic scene * between" Eli'iah and the priest of Baal as set forth in "Baal, we cry to theo," "Call him louder, it was very- finely given by the vocalists. The quartette " Cast thy burden," was carefully sung, and after the recitative by Mr. Holdaworth.the beautiful chorus, "The fire descends." "came, the light and shades being observed- in a- very correct manner. The succeeding chorus, "Take all the prophets of Bull," received full justice at the hands of the -members of the Society. Elijah's silo, "Is not his word," is perhaps the most difficult piece in the whole work, bufjustice wis done it by Mr. Webster. The air ""'Woe 1 unti them "evidently had been'vvelV'studie I by .Miss Dingle, who sans: it in a very tolliu. r manner. The recitative, " O tiord thou hast overthrown thine enemies," wa* swi-etly rendered by Mrs. 'Robinson, h r pure style and elegant singing bein? most pleasing to the ear. The eh >rus, " Thanks bo to God," proved a glorious finale to th • firs.t part of; the oratorio. It, was ijiJuisj; with a irreat deal of v/gotfr," an I had" v ijraud effect. The second part, \vi\s opened by Mrs. Drew, with " Hear' a ye, Israel?' which she sang, with , considerable animation. The recitative, "The Lori exalted," by Mr. Humphries, was well declaimed. Mrs. Knight gave " H ive ye not heard " with good dramatic eft'nct. Tho recitative, (> Man of Goi," .was taken by" Mr. Veale, aud was followed by a baas aolo, "It is enough," given with exprea. sion— the voice of Air. Holdsworth and the string instruments blending in unison. Mr. Edger's excellent accompaniment was very acceptable in this number. After the recitative, " See " how 1 he sleepeth." came the unaccompanied trio. " Lift thine eyes to the mountain," suns by Mrs. Ilobinson; Miss Cudd, and Miss Dingle. This was undoubtedly the gem of the evening, and was given with that delicacy which is the charm of this great trio. At its conclusion the audience was unable to restrain its feeling of pleasure any longer, and ihe etiqu'ette-usually observed at sacred concerts was broken by the loud applause which followed; Auother exqm site number was the contralto solo — "O rest in the Lord," admirably rendered by Mrs. Knight. Mr. Holdsworth sang th. recitative, (> Night" "falleth "round,'" and Alias Cudd, "Arise I'^followed by the full chorus at the end of the second part. This* descriptive chorus was another tine effort of the members of the Society,who observed the expression marks in a manner that has never before been heard, we are' certain, in New Plymouth. The third part opens with a quartette, '• Holy ! Holy !" (Miss Carnngton, Mrs. Drew, Miss Humphries, and Airs. Knight), accompanied by the fuh chorus, and was Bung in a most praiseworthy manner. The quartette was un commonly well led by the soprano; whilst the - chorus was duly subordinate, tilling, and very effective.- The tenbr solo, " Theu shall the righteous shineforth," was beyond the compass of the ijentleiniii's voice who undertook this difficult number, but he had evidently studied the music, and deserves great praise for the manner he executed the piece. The concluding recitative and chorus must come under the same criticisms as the rest of the performance, although we must not neglect to mention the quartette, " 0 ! come every one that thimeth," which cannot be spoken of iv too high praise. To tho Orchestra a great deal of the success of the performance last night was due. The blending oii the sound throughout the oratorio was all that could be desired. The conducting was cominendably done. There was a promptness in setting the choruses going immediately after the solo parts were linished, which prevented the performance from dragging, whilst the soloists were always in then places ready to take up their numbers. Mr. Angelo Forrest must have, felt proud ot the success he achieved. The time through out was taken with admirable prucisiou, aud not a hitch occurred in the performance, which for amateurs is exceedingly praiseworthy. We cannot conclude wuh0 >.t a word respecting the tsvo lauies who presided at the piano and organ — Mra. Richmond and Miss Wilduiun. Their dutieh were heavy, but they performed them with a skill and ability which bespeaks the true musician. In conclusion, we must congratulate tho Philharmonic Society on their Urst. appearance in the new hall under such favorable auspices, and we are heartily glad to see 1 that music of a high order is so generally* valued and appreciated here as to secure amateurs bold' and willing enough to attempt such a difficult piece as (l Elijah," and an audience glad to' encourage, the attempt. We must again warmly congratulate the Society ' upon tho really admirable rendering which they gave last night of by no means an easy musical work, but \yluch has well repaid the members for the amount of trouble devoted to master it. At tho conclusion of the oratorio, Mr. R. Paiiris again stepped on to the platform, and addressed the audience as follows : 1 am going to' apologize 1 for an omission I have made. I omitted to . bring under your notice the credit due to Mr. Edmonds, the architect of this building. When I was speaking to you about the contractors, ii entirely escaped my memory, and I now ! apologize to Mr. Edmonds f,pt the omission. There is.no one to whom greater praise is due in connection with the erection of tins hall than -to- Air. lUuionds..~.(Applause ) 1 hope you have been gratified with tonight's entertainment, and *I am sure you havd appreciated the services 6f*tue talented conductor, Mr. Forrest. (Great and prolonged applause, during w'llidh Mr. Forrest bowed his acknowledgments.) Mr. Fokhest Baid: Ladies and gentlemen, — It gives me great pleasure indeed to see that the work has been successful to. night. I believe lam a much better conductor than lam a speaker.- (Laughter). It was our intention to get professional a&sistance from other towns in producing this heavy piece, but the number of performers we expected could not come. However, rather tlmn it up, wo determined to do it ourselves, and take nil the glory to ourselves iL' we were successful. (Appl.iube). J cannot speak too highly iv praise of thelady and gentlemen perfoimcrs, wlio attended practices regularly and worked with a will until they attained the proli ciency -which you have seen to-night. (Applause). The Society then performed the National Anthem, and the most successful concert ever given by the Society was brought to a close. The total receipts amounted to' £80.